Located in downtown Nagoya, steps away from Nagoya Station, Yanagibashi Central Fish Market is an active market where you can see giant tuna cut to size by long swords and glimpse professional chefs and restaurateurs negotiating prices with fishmongers as you navigate the stalls of this historic market. With around 130 shops selling fresh ingredients from Ise Bay and nearby farms, the market has become known as the “Pantry of Central Japan.”

Yanagibashi differentiates itself from the famous Tsukiji and Toyosu Markets in Tokyo or Osaka’s Kuromon Ichiba in the fact that it remains true to its origins as a working fish market and is not your typical tourist destination. The market supplies seafood and other produce to over 5,000 different shops and restaurants across three prefectures (Aichi, Gifu, and Mie) every day. Stepping into the market is like stepping into the real lives of the locals who work and shop there. 

Though the fish market is not your typical tourist destination, the fishmongers and shop staff who work there are more than happy to greet visitors and discuss the day’s catch—often waving guests into their shops to show them seasonal products, demonstrating their skills in slicing a massive tuna to size, or even holding a fish up and grinning towards the camera. As you walk through the stalls, you may even notice that many products do not have prices listed as talking to staff and haggling is encouraged.

For tourists with access to a kitchen, Yanagibashi sells fish and seafood not only to restaurants, but also to individuals. And more than simply a fish market, Yanagibashi also has shops selling fresh fruits and vegetables, green tea, wasabi, sweets, seaweed, cooking utensils, knives and more. But shoppers beware, Yanagibashi is a location that can only be visited by those who wake up early. The market opens its doors at 4am daily (except Sundays, Wednesdays, and public holidays) with most shops closing up around 10am. The best time to tour the market is between 8am-10am when the staff have the most time to chat and provide recommendations.

Want to experience Nagoya’s unique culture for yourself?

Based in Central Japan and operating all-year-round, we offer a highly entertaining group-tour of Nagoya’s food scene that is sure to please. All tours are led by locally-based guides and will take you around the must-see sights in Nagoya, as well as some lesser known gems. Our tours are fun, interactive and family-friendly. For more information, or to book a tour, click on the banner or button below.

1 Day Tour

1-Day Tour: Eat Like a Local in Nagoya
Period	All Year Round
Time	8:00-16:30
Meeting Place	JR Nagoya Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000

Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Nagoya area, and other regional destinations. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going. 

We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter. With door-to-door service, we can pick up you up from where you are and take you to where you want to go anywhere in Central Japan and the neighboring regions. For more information, please click HERE to check availability and pricing for your trip. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!