Yes it's true, the Tsukiji Market is said to be disappearing! Fortunately, there will still be a fish market, but they are relocating to the nearby area of Toyosu. The govenor of Tokyo has announced that the relocation has finally been announced to take place, and the event that has been years in the planning has officially been set. The move has been postponed and rescheduled multiple times due to issues with new location as well as vehement opposition at the time. However, the move has eventually been decided due to a few different factors. Food and safety concerns was one reason, and also creating more parking space. Other reasons have also been stated, but overall the move is intended to be a positive move towards improving the layout of the market.

Tsukiji Fish Market

The Details

Tsukiji Fish Market will be shutting down and move to Toyosu, a short distance east from the original location. Although it is essentially the same type of market, conducting the same type of business, the market will no longer be known as Tsukiji Market, but instead will be called Toyosu Fish Market. The move is set to take place October 11th of this year (2018), but the actual opening day of market has not been officially released to the public.

The construction of Toyasu Fish Market

What will be different?

Tsukiji Market has long been a marker to visit in Japan for its delicious variety of seafood, produce, and kitchen utensils being sold in and around the area. High-end restaurants and grocers alike have purchased high-grade fish here to use and sell.  One of the most famous things that happened in the Tsukiji Market was the tuna auction, where people would pay great sums of money for the tuna of their choice.

Tuna for sale at Tsukiji Market

With the new market, it is unclear whether the auction will still be open to the public. However, most of the activties that take place will be the same or very similar to Tsukiji, aside from perhaps the format. Supposedly the new market will feautre a sit-down restaurant as well as solar panels and a green rooftop, in addition to modern sanitation and refrigeration control. 
New Toyosu Market

For those who want to see the Tsukiji Market in its original location, there are only a few months left before Tsukiji Market will close for good. So now is the best time to go visit, and see the location that served as one of the icons of Tokyo for many years!!

A small market within Tsukiji

*This post will be updated once more information is released