Are you looking for the perfect blend of Tokyo’s vibrant food culture and its serene, spiritual heritage? Combining a bustling morning at Tsukiji Market with an afternoon walk through Meiji Shrine is one of the best classic day trips in Japan’s capital. In this guide, we join Mai’s family for a memorable day out, exploring how the legendary Tsukiji has transformed and how you can still enjoy the freshest seafood available.
Whether you want to navigate the lively retail stalls, find out what to buy for a home-cooked sashimi feast, or figure out the easiest Metro connection between these two iconic Tokyo landmarks, we have compiled our firsthand tips and route highlights to help you plan your own perfect itinerary.
Tsukiji Outer Market: A Paradise for Seafood Lovers
Tsukiji Market is great place to see the different varieties of seafood which people eat in Japan. The market used to be a wholesale market where you could see enormous tunas being cut down to tiny pieces of sashimi. The market is now a retail market, but is a great place to visit.
You can buy all kinds of fresh seafood and I’m told that the prices are very reasonable. We went with Mai’s mum, dad and sister and bought lots of different things, including great amberjack, sea bream and blood clams, which were really big. The fresh clams were shelled at the shop and that evening Mai’s dad prepared sashimi.
What we bought: Amberjack (KAMPACHI), Sea Bream (TAI), and enormous Blood Clams (AKAGAI). Mai’s dad transformed them into incredible homemade sashimi later that evening!
Looking back, we had a massive advantage shopping at Tsukiji because Mai’s dad used to work in the fresh fish section of a supermarket. He is an absolute master at picking out the best cuts, and his sashimi knife skills are incredible.
But even if you don’t have an expert in the family, it turns out that regular Japanese people are remarkably knowledgeable about fish. When shopping at a local fishmonger here, a standard practice is to select your whole fresh fish and then ask the shop staff to ‘clean’ it for you—which Mai’s mum did right after we bought ours.
In Japan, people know that getting the organs and guts removed immediately is the ultimate secret to keeping the fish fresh, preventing any unpleasant odours, and making it last longer. It’s a brilliant, stress-free service that makes buying whole seafood completely accessible, even for travellers!
Tokyo Travel Tip: Looking for a budget-friendly base for your Tokyo adventures? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Business Hotels.
Lunch Time: Enjoying Fresh Sashimi Near the Market
After finishing our shopping, we headed to a nearby restaurant called Tsukiji Suzutomi Sushitomi for lunch. This place is actually run by a famous tuna wholesaler, so we knew the quality was going to be top-notch.
The freshness of the fish here was absolutely incredible. We had some of the most melt-in-the-mouth sashimi and sushi, with the tuna being a particular highlight. Having lunch with Mai’s family made it even more special, as they could explain the different cuts of fish to us. Prices around Tsukiji are excellent for this level of quality, and it was the perfect way to refuel before Mai, her sister, and I headed off to our next stop: Meiji Shrine.
How to Get to Meiji Shrine from Tsukiji Market
After our shopping trip we went to a nearby restaurant to eat sashimi. The prices and freshness of the fish are excellent around Tsukiji. After lunch Mai, her sister and I headed to the Meiji Shrine.
Our Route: Tsukiji Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) ➔ Change trains/Head to Yoyogi Station ➔ 10-minute walk to the tranquil shrine entrance.
Exploring Meiji Shrine: A Peaceful Escape in the Heart of Tokyo
We took the Metro to Yoyogi Station and from there walked 10 minutes to the Shrine entrance.
The Meiji Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Japan and is a good place to wander around for an hour or so. It’s set in a beautiful forest in the middle of the city. A really peaceful place to escape the traffic.
We were lucky because there was also a bonsai chrysanthemum exhibition taking place. The Japanese are really detail oriented people and bonsai reflect their patience and focus.
We went to Kamakura with Mai’s family:
➡ How to Get to Kamakura from Tokyo and 5 Places for Sightseeing: Our Overnight Trip with Family
➡ Back to Kanto Area & Around Tokyo Guide
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