Toyosu 5am: Dawn Sushi + Champagne

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. ⛰️ 1

   Get Auction Tickets

   adventure Free

   The famous tuna auction moved from Tsukiji to Toyosu in 2018, where massive bluefin tunas sell for thousands — sometimes millions of yen at the observation deck (registration required). Apply via the Toyosu Market lottery system 2-4 weeks ahead for FREE but competitive spots (limited to 120 visitors/day), show up by 5:15am, and watch the auction run 5:30-6:30am.

   🔄 BACKUP: If no tickets, the observation deck still shows the auction through glass.

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2. ⛰️ 2

   Witness the Tuna Ritual

   adventure Free

   Buyers inspect tuna with flashlights, checking fat content (called "toro") in the viewing area — bidding is fast, hand signals, shouting, and a single tuna can sell for ¥100 million+ on New Year's. Watch quietly since the auction is business, not performance, and try to spot the highest bid, usually for the fattiest, freshest fish.

   🔄 BACKUP: Even through glass, it's hypnotic. The scale is overwhelming.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 🍷 3

   Dawn Sushi at Sushi Dai or Daiwa

   wine $$$

   These two restaurants inside Toyosu Market serve sushi made from fish that was swimming hours ago — Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi offer omakase including whatever was best at that morning's auction. Queue forms by 5am (arrive 4:30am for best chance), expect 1-2 hour waits that are absolutely worth it, order omakase and watch chefs work their morning magic.

   🔄 BACKUP: Other market restaurants are excellent too - Sushi Dai and Daiwa just have the legend.

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4. 🍷 4

   Champagne Toast at Dawn

   wine $$

   Champagne with breakfast sushi sounds wrong but isn't — the minerality of champagne with raw fish at dawn, Tokyo waking up around you, creates temporal magic at the sushi bar or Ginza 815 (nearby champagne + sushi specialist). Some market restaurants serve champagne/sparkling, or follow your market visit with champagne at Ginza 815 (opens 11am — have a rest first).

   🔄 BACKUP: Konbini (convenience store) champagne on the market's outdoor terrace watching the sun rise over Tokyo Bay. Cheaper, memorable.

   🍷 Log Memory