Tsukiji is the epicenter of the global fish trade with literally hundreds and probably thousands of different sea creatures quickly trading hands. That toro (tuna) sushi you had for dinner the other night more than likely came through Tsukiji.
It takes an intense love of the origins of food combined with an acute case of jet lag to drag yourself out of bed and get down to Tsukiji by 4:30 in the morning for one of the more interesting parts of the market, the tuna auction. The first three photos below that I took during my last visit to Tsukiji is of the meticulous inspection proceedings just prior to the tuna auction...definitely needed in a place where one tuna can sell for $15,000 or more!
Much to my dismay, I heard in December that Tsukiji had been closed to tourist. On one level it didn't totally surprise me. Tsukiji is a functioning and lively workplace for hundreds of people. It is filled with motorized carts whizzing around in narrow passages which for unsuspecting tourists easily could lead to a very ugly collision. On another level, I was a bit surprised because the three times I've been there I didn't see many gaijin at all.
Anyway, according to MSNBC the ban which was triggered in part by a video of a foreigner licking a tuna (idiot!) has been lifted for now. I can breath a sigh of relief and am hoping that the tourists will be on their best behavior from now on.
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