Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai
The New Tokyo Outer Fish Market
Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai is a food court associated to Toyosu fish market, located in Koto ward in Tokyo Bay in Japan. Displaying the codes of Edo period traditional architecture, the new complex inaugurated in February 2024 is also home to a modern spa facility, with a rooftop suited with a foot bath offering a panoramic view on Tokyo's waterfront.
Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, in the same manner as Tsukiji Outer Market, is primarily a place to enjoy fish and seafood. Inaugurated on 2024, February 1rst, this foot court further enhances Toyosu’s touristic attractiveness that has been on the rise ever since 2018 and the opening of the new Toyosu Fish Market on the artificial island of Tokyo Bay.
Following an early morning visit of the wholesale fish market and its areas opened to the public, a short walk reaches to the newly built Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai complex, that is standing out with its architecture designed to imitate an old merchant district of the Edo period (1603 – 1868) .
Gastronomical village back to the Edo period
Various elements help replicate the atmosphere of an old feudal streetscape, such as:
- Dark wood trellis covering the facades;
- Impressive white gates typical of kura warehouses;
- Successions of tiled roofed; and,
- Storefronts identified by paper lanterns and noren curtains.
The attention to details, like traffic cones covered in woven bamboo straw, completes the feeling of immersion. A replica of Kawagoe’s Toki no Kane wood bell tower is also standing in the central square, where traditional street performances are frequently taking place, like sword demonstration or taiko drum concerts.
As for the restaurants, food counters are available to order take away meals that can be enjoyed at a table on the terrace, as well as Japanese restaurants in a more conventional setting. The latter are gathered at the Toyosu Jogai Edomae Ichiba, a space that is divided into several areas:
- Menuki Odori, the main open-air alley located at the 2F floor of the complex;
- The covered Mekiki Yokocho accessible at the 3F floor; and,
- Along the sidewalk at the 1F floor (at ground level).
Strollers wander in this small maze only to have their appetite aroused by mouth watering realistic wax food displays. Price range vary from shop to shop, on the expensive side at the restaurants along the main Menuki Odori street and more affordable at the shops located in the upper floors or facing the road. We highly recommend trying fresh fish and seafood supplied directly from Toyosu Market. Meat amateurs will also find wagyu beef. Other delicacies include:
- Unagi eel-based dishes;
- Sushi 🍣 plates, with fish varying according to the season;
- Kaisendon bowls;
- Tamagoyaki omelets;
- Fish burgers;
- Grilled skewers, especially maguro tuna skewers; and,
- Mini-senbei crackers flavored in original pairings of fish and seasoning.
The choice of drinks is large enough to enjoy with any dish, and consists of green tea, Japanese craft beer 🍺 and even nihonshu 🍶.
Excessive drinking put your health at risk. Alcoholic beverages should be consumed in moderation.
The gastronomic village is also hosting a few places for the sweet tooth and souvenir shops, notably of kitchen knives. Overall, Senkyaku Banrai is home to about 70 shops.
Panoramic Onsen at Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club
This new complex is suited with a modern sento spa facility called Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club, that is occupying the floors 2F to 7F. The hot bath water is sourced from natural onsen ♨️ sources of 2 renowned thermal stations near Tokyo: Hakone and Yugawara.
This modern address in the heart of the city preserves the traditional use of an onsen facility. Small tattoos are allowed as long as they are covered with a provided patch, and one must don a rental yukata 👘 inside. The bath facility also has a sauna, a Japanese cuisine restaurant and a relaxation lounge available 24/7. Staying overnight is therefore possible providing an additional charge on top of the bath’s admission fee.
Ashiyu warm foot baths are also available on the Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club rooftop. They are named The Scenic Ashiyu Footbath Garden in English and are for the spa facility customers only. Another space called in Japanese Senkyaku Banrai Ashiyu Teien is open to everyone for free.
It is thus highly recommended to go to the 8F to discover this open-air relaxation area that offers an unobstructed panoramic view on:
- Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge; as well as,
- An overhead view on Toyosu Jogai Edomae Ichiba gastronomic village.
At the end of your relaxing break warming your feet in the water facing the sea, you can buy a ¥200 (~US$1.35) towel to dry at the vending machines.
Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai is designed as a convivial gathering place for people to share a good meal with family or friends, and enjoy Japanese cuisine-themed shopping. Popular among tourists, the place is rather crowded around noon and in the early evening around 6-7 p.m., especially for the night view on Tokyo from the panoramic ashiyu foot bath.