A trip to Tokyo would not be complete without witnessing the sheer volume of wholesale seafood available at one of the world's largest fish market in the world in Tsukiji, Tokyo. This place has been operating as Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, “a Kitchen for 12 – Million people in Tokyo" since 1935, but a fish market has been in existence at this location for over 400 years. There are also fruit, vegetables, dried goods, and specialty shops in the Outer Market, as well as sushi restaurants that open at dawn to feed the hungry fishermen and tourists for breakfast.
Mike and I have visited Tsukiji several times, but this may be the last because the Wholesale Market is scheduled to move about 3 miles across the waters to Toyosu into a more modern facility by 2014. People conduct serious business at Tsukiji, and has never been designed to accommodate the volume of tourists that descend upon this market every morning. Surely, the move to Toyosu will take tourists into the consideration of their design; yet, I already feel a loss for the rows of dank warehouses, navigating the endless confusing maze of wholesalers, motorized carts trying to run us over, grumpy fishermen staring us down, the disapproving look when we try to take pictures, and simply just trying (without much luck) to stay out-of-the-way. After a guarded walk through the Inner Market, we can't help but feel like we conquered a life-size game of Frogger. We then reward ourselves with a huge helping of the freshest fish we will ever get our hands on at any of the myriad sushi counters.
A great explanation of what to expect and proper tourist etiquette is written through
JapanGuide.com.
Note that the famous tuna auction is closed to the public. Tourists who want to see the auction must apply for a visit starting at 5 am. The first 120 applicants are given access. Needless to say, we haven't been THAT motivated to witness this event, although it could be an excellent way to make use of the jet-lag!
