Tsukiji Fish Market

In all the guide books I have read... especially in Lonely Planet, they all say you have to visit the "Tsukiji Fish Market". They all say that you should really be there early to view the daily Tuna Auction.

Shota's two cousins Kevin and Jyun and Jyun's Fiance Norico, offered to take us to the market, which we of course jumped at the chance! It meant waking up at 4:50am, but they did pick us up and drive us all the way in :)

We arrived there at 6:30am, opting not to see the auction, but instead spent a few hours walking around the market. The place is crazy!!! Hectic and chaotic to the extreme. I honestly felt that I was constantly in the way, with angry fisherman looking at me as I was photographing their fish. The thing is that if the Japanese fisherman and stall holders really have a problem with visitors then I think they should let Lonely Planet know, because we saw many, many tourists. 

Here are the backs of Kevin & Norico as we enter the massive market;

In saying all that, after learning how to quickly take photos and dodge the electric carts that are being driven ALL over the market we did enjoy ourselves. Norico and Jyun purchased heaps of fish! Whereas Shota and I were a little bit more overwhelmed and only walked away with the markets finest tuna (which we enjoyed with Dinner).

Jyun also took us over to where the tuna Auction happens, just looked like a big warehouse...

By 8am we were hungry and ready to eat some of the fish we had been seeing in various shapes and forms.

So after doing a lap around all the restaurants, we joined a line at one of the many Sushi restaurants outside the market and enjoyed a bowl of rice and tuna, salmon sashimi. Yum!!

Sadly the restaurant was rather small, so Jyun and Norico had to wait outside (in the freezing cold) for a bit longer...

Here are some of the best pictures (of the fish) from the day;

 Later after the boys had a sleep (ont he lounge room floor) before we headed over to Norico's House for a traditional "Tea Ceremony"... photos to follow in another blog!

 If you are ever in Tokyo, you must visit Tsukiji!! Quick before it's closed for tourists!!
xxx