Tokyo's popular Tsukiji fish market has closed for good on Oct. 6 according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The day was marked by the most expensive fish auction in the market: a tuna, weighing 162 kilograms, being sold for $37,818.
The 23-hectare Tsukiji fish market is the biggest of its kind around the world. The market sold approximately 1,500 tons or $14 million worth of fish and seafood on a daily basis during its peak back in 2016.
During its early years, the market had welcomed fresh catch from 60 different countries. Tons of seafood that had arrived in the market ranged from big Alaskan and Russian crabs, sea urchins from Oregon and Australia, anchovies from Peru.
The most popular catch, however, especially to international tourists, were live tunas coming from Spain and Croatia.
For the past years, the market is one of the major drivers of the tourism industry for Japan. Eighty-five percent of tourists coming to the country are from its Asian neighbors. Most of the travelers were from China, Korea, and Taiwan.
The hundreds of fishmongers from the Tsukiji fish market will be relocated to another location in Toyuso which is about 2 kilometers from the original location. It is farther away from Tokyo.
The new location, of which operations start on Oct. 11, is set to open a new $5 billion market according to Reuters. Nevertheless, there is 80 percent of Tsukiji fish traders who are against the relocation.
Many people said the Tsukiji fish market had become one of Japan's historical sites. As for some business owner, they could not afford the cost of relocation; hence, the closing of the Tsukiji fish market also means the closing of their decades-long businesses.
The local government said the closure was done due to the dilapidated infrastructure.
The Japan Times reported that the old building had no air conditioning and fish traders only used ice to keep the seafood fresh. There had also been incidents where rusty railings fell from the buildings. There had also been mounting complaints about rat infestations.
The local government attempted to renovate the market in 1990 but was stooped due to lack of budget. At about this time, authorities said the market will just be relocated to Toyuso. The move, however, was delayed due to public health concerns since the Toyuso site has exceeded the allowable limits of toxic materials at the time.
At present, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government gave the green light, saying Toyuso is now safe from any toxic health risks.
Interestingly though, the evacuated Tsukiji fish market will serve as temporary parking space for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
