Yokohama Central Wholesale Market Fisheries Division

Opened in 1931, the Yokohama City Central Wholesale Market boasts placeholder of being the third oldest in Japan. It stands primarily as a wholesale venue for fresh fish to retailers and restaurants, usually open to the public only on the first and third Saturdays of every month. However, with the "Market Exploration Tour," you can visit special areas of the market even on non-public days.

The tour includes an intro video highlighting the market's history, a special shrine visit inside the market, front-and-center viewing of the bidding area up close, a chance to step inside the subzero -50 degrees Celsius freezer used for storing tuna, and viewing of the live fish tanks.

For an even deeper dive, there’s even the chance to hear from the pros about how to choose the best fish and how to cook them. The tour kicks off early at 5 am but is packed with plenty of thrills, breakfast and, if you're lucky, a close-up view of a tuna being filleted. There’s even time for shopping at the intermediary vendors, meaning you get to select fresh seafood and high-quality side at wholesale prices.

Outside of the deep market tour there’s also a special package with dinner at a hotel or restaurant using ingredients sourced from the market. Audio guides in English, Chinese, and Korean are available, making it accessible for international visitors.