Tsukiji Outer Market is renowned as a place where locals and neighborhood eateries source their ingredients. It plays a pivotal role as the epicenter of Tokyo's culinary scene. Moreover, it attracts tourists and food enthusiasts from around the globe, making it a symbolic hub of Japanese gastronomy from an international perspective. One unique aspect of Tsukiji Outer Market is its role in supplying fresh ingredients to local sushi restaurants and eateries. Many sushi bars and dining establishments procure top-quality seafood and other ingredients directly from Tsukiji Outer Market, underscoring its significance in Tokyo's food culture.

At Tsukiji Fish Market, auctions are conducted daily. These auctions, primarily held early in the morning, involve bidding for fresh seafood and marine products, which are then purchased by wholesalers and retailers. Professional buyers known as "middlemen" play a crucial role in assessing the quality and value of the seafood and marine products presented at the market, procuring them according to the needs of their clients or businesses. The experience and expertise of these middlemen are indispensable to the market's operations, contributing to the smooth functioning of Tsukiji Fish Market's auction system.