The buzz of Tuna saws, the shouts of fishmongers looking to make their big sale and the enthusiastic chatter of starry-eyed tourists - Have since fallen silent since the market's big move to Toyosu in October last year.

Opened in 1935 following the aftermath of the Great Kanto Earthquake; built from leftover corrugated iron. Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market became the largest fish and seafood wholesale market in the world, housing over 550 seafood wholesale businesses and about a 100 vegetable traders within the inner wholesale market.

"The market was always busiest before dawn"

It's 5 am and Tokyo sleeps.

In Tsukiji on the other hand, fishmongers, wholesalers and buyers have already created a commotion worthy of a small riot. Aggressive shouts from wholesalers and buyers can be heard across the auction floor just to get their hands on the biggest and freshest blue-fin tuna of the lot; Fishmongers by the side wait patiently as they pray they get a big bid from the buyers. This moment of chaos is ever-fleeting, with almost all auctions coming to an end at 6.30 am.

"Before the madness"

Before the chaos erupts, workers at individual stalls scattered all around the inner market can be seen performing a variety of tasks; from gutting fish, washing equipment, tabulating their finances and even drinking their morning tea. These workers were the very backbone of the whole shebang; and was what truly made Tsukiji, Tsukiji.

"The move to Toyosu"

Built with tourists in mind, the new Toyosu market was constructed with designated routes and air-conditioned viewing platforms. Unlike its predecessor Tsukiji, visitors can no longer be fully part of the auction among buyers. In Toyosu, visitors are now restricted to viewing the auction from an observation deck on the second floor or through a windowed-off room on the same floor which is only accessible via registrations.

The move to Toyosu has contributed greatly to the sterility and general cleanliness of the market. However, is it at the expense of the soul that the legendary Tsukiji market once possessed?

Perhaps a footnote to some in Japan's long history, Tsukiji Fish Market serves as a reminder to people around the world that excellence can be attained in the most unassuming of places.

Take a stroll through Tsukiji once again through a catalogue of images taken and curated by Kurtis Ma.

Share this Story

23 days in Japan

A temple nestled within Arashiyama

Through the streets of Kanazawa, Toyama and Kamakura - A collage of random buildings I stumbled upon

Film Photography over the years

May 2023

From Taipei to Sapa

Chinatown, Singapore