Just a reminder that Tsukiji Market is closed not only on Sundays, but other days this month due to the holidays. Here is the market calendar for 2011 and 2012. Below are the days it is closed for the next four weeks.
Dec. 11, 14, 18, 23, 25 (short day), 31
January 1-4, 8-9
If you are in Tokyo only while Tsukiji is closed, the next best place to go would be to Ameyoko near Ueno and Okachimachi stations. I believe (but am not 100% sure) that it is only closed on January 1st.
Food Sake Tokyo 
Oh no! I cannot believe my luck! I will be travelling to Tokyo from Dec 30 to Jan 9 and the only days it is open is when I’m in Kyoto from the 4th to the 7th! 😦
Are the restaurants and the outer market open though? I am looking forward to the donburis!
Oh no! That is really too bad. Can you make it to the market on the 30th? It is the busiest day of the year at Tsukiji so it will be crazy. Alternatively, check out Ameyoko Market. Not quite Tsukiji, but the next best thing. While in Kyoto, be sure to check out Nishiki Market.
Unfortunately, most of the shops in the outer market too will be closed.
Enjoy your trip to Japan!
Cheers,
Yukari
Thanks so much for the advice and the quick reply Yukari-san!
Unfortunately, I will only be arriving in Tokyo at 1pm so most of the market would be closed by then correct? Oh well, now I have another reason to visit Tokyo again. 😀 Do you have any other recommendations for inexpensive sushi restaurants?
Thanks again! Your blog is fantastic to read. 🙂
Arigato for the kind words Jeremy-san.
Do you arrive at the airport (Narita or Haneda) at 1 p.m.? If that is the case, then even the outer market shops will be done by the time you get into the city. Bummer.
But, there are tons of affordable sushi places. Magurobito is one chain store we like with a branch in Asakusa, which is a popular tourist area.
But if you are not planning on going there chances are that there are good ones near your hotel. Just ask the concierge or the front desk staff. Another good option is to go to the department stores as they will be open even though Tsukiji Market is closed. The department stores have sushi restaurants either on the restaurant floor or you can get good sushi to go in the depachika.
Where are you traveling from?
Cheers,
Yukari