Following the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake architects and engineers from the Architectural Section of Tokyo Municipal Government were sent to Europe and America to do research for the new market . However , because of the sheer size of the market and the number of items traded they were forced to come up with their own unique design . The quarter circular shape allowed easier access and handling for freight trains and the steel structure above allowed a wide , continuous space free from columns and subdivisions . The relocation of the market would be one of the biggest reconstruction projects in Tokyo after the earthquake , taking over six years involving 419,500 workers
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
Tsukiji fish market