Fish Market - Tokyo (Not to be missed)

obenix · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Everywhere

When you're visiting Tokyo, do not miss the world famous Tsukiji Fish Market. This market is the largest fish market in the world. All sorts of marine products are sold here and believe it or not, the market is a tourist attraction by itself.
Best time to visit the market is around 5.00-9.00am although trains start running about 5.30. Don't be too late otherwise, you will miss the actions here. Hustle and bustle of the market coupled with the shouts of auctioneer will leave you all excited.
Watch the tuna auction process and see for yourself how they value to price of the fish. Near the market, indulge yourself in sushi which is the freshest that you can get. See with your own eyes, mother nature's produce from the seas. There are aplenty species of marine life unseen before and edible...:)

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

OH my god the sushi is so amazing. I still dream about that sushi. I'm so jealous because my husband might have to go to Tokyo in a couple of weeks and I can't come along.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

I have never been to the Tokyo fish market but I hear it draws quite a lot of visitors as it is a fascinating place! You can get a WHOLE tuna head(maguro) for as little as $50! (The eyes are a delicacy!) There are some great ichiba(markets) up in Hokkaido as well where you can pick out your sea urchin, crab or what have you and they can prepare a meal for you right there! Fresh is best!!!

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

A recent article printed in the Asahi Newspaper(May 9) stated that Tsukiji, the world's largest fish market, is banning "tourists" due to "ill-mannered foreigners". The article had prompted numerous phone calls from ex-pats demanding an explanation. Turns out that indeed some of the fishmongers at the market were put off on occasion by certain groups of tourists, crowding around and snapping pictures in their hectic working environment, yet they were still welcomed and were by no means "banned". The person to whom a buddy of mine spoke to at the Central Market (phone 03-3542-1111) said a gangway had actually been created, so that visitors would not get in the way of the bustling dealings. The tuna auction area, however, is and always has been closed to the public. A special clearance is required to enter the auction site.