This morning we were up bright and early to catch a train to the biggest wholesale fish market in the world, Tsukiji. What was initially a temporary setup has grown into a massive maze of styrofoam and slick concrete, filled to the brim with fresh seafood.
We started with a walk around the outer market where they sell a variety of fresh and processed foods, and even souvenirs. It was a little crowded and a little overwhelming, which made it a perfect precursor to the main market.
Lifeless eyes peered at us from heads without bodies. Men chopped, cleaned and carted. We snapped a few shots and tried to understand all the noise.
This is Tsukiji and inside there was every kind of fish and fish byproduct you could imagine, including some that you probably don’t want to. We saw more then I can recount, but I can say that it was incredible in quantity, scale, volume, and atmosphere, the place was abuzz and we were definitely disoriented. We stopped occsionally to ask what things were, or to observe something especially beautiful, grotesque, or abnormal.
As we made our way back to the meeting spot our guide bought some fish and we all got back on a train for Asakusa where we would learn how to prepare it, how to make sushi.
The tiny bar we ended up in was closed for the day, it was our kitchen. We were shown how to breakdown fish, shrimp, and squid, and later added all of the above to a giant bowl of rice. I got a chance to fillet a fish (they called it blue fish) and Rosie made a roll. It was a day any foodie would die for, unless of course you don’t eat meat…
I should mention that the tour was offered by our hostel, Khaosan Tokyo Annex and it was fantastic. For the price, JPY 1000, you can’t afford to miss out on it. If ever you find yourself in Tokyo, check it out, just be wary of those fish carts!
