New year tuna auction at Tsukiji, 2016
Bluefin tuna
Tuna intermediate wholesaler
Market of Dawn
wooden tuna cart
The final Shinto ceremony at Tsukiji Market was held at Namiyoke Shrine, a guardian shrine for market workers. As the market moved to Toyosu, workers gathered to offer prayers of gratitude and blessings for future prosperity. This ceremony marked the end of Tsukiji’s long-standing role in Japan’s seafood industry while honoring its historical significance
The frozen tuna auction area at Tsukiji Market was a refrigerated hall where buyers inspected massive frozen tuna before bidding. Due to its exposure to outside air, cold and humid conditions sometimes caused the space to fill with white mist, creating an atmospheric scene. Auctioneers called out bids in a fast-paced rhythm as buyers assessed tuna quality. This iconic auction continued until Tsukiji’s relocation to Toyosu Market in 2018.
Market auctioneer
Tsukiji Market, an open-air rarity among modern fish markets, faced the extremes of summer heat and winter cold. Yet, thanks to the dedication of market workers, strict quality control ensured food safety without incidents.
The final dawn at Tsukiji Market—where decades of tradition met the first light of its last day, Oct.6.2018
