In the Central part of Tokyo is one of the world's largest markets fish and seafood, better known as Tsukiji fish market.

The first market in Tokyo, then called Edo, appeared in the 17th century. Near the Nihonbashi bridge fishermen from Osaka was selling surplus fish were brought to supply the fortress at the invitation of Prince Minamoto Tokugawa Ieyasu. Today, the Nihonbashi bridge is considered the main in the country.

Central wholesale market was built in 1923 after the "rice riots", when the inhabitants of entire cities spoke out against the lack of food and jobbers-wholesalers. In the big cities by the decision of the Parliament began to build special facilities for the trading of products. The Tokyo market was built in March 1923, and in September of the same year was devastated by the strongest earthquake together with the Central part of the city. Again the market was built in the Tsukiji area.

Currently on the market sold about two thousand tons of seafood per day. At this point, concentrated almost 90% of all wholesale seafood in Japan. It employs more than 60 thousand people. The market consists of two sections, one of them are wholesale trading and processing of fish. The other has many retail shops and stores, restaurants, where to buy kitchen utensils, products and offers sushi. Its buyers market offers several hundred types of goods – from small fish to giant tuna, from the cheapest to the most expensive products.

Life at the market starts at 3 a.m. with the acceptance of the goods, and by one o'clock the market is already closed. Most retailers down their trading even earlier – at 11 o'clock. The best time for tourists is from 5 to 6 am. At this time, just go to an auction, which the mediators purchase goods for cafes, restaurants and retail shops. On Sundays and feast days the market is closed. In the market for tourists equipped with a special platform from which they can observe all transactions – for example, for cutting big tuna band saw.