To Market, To Market

Tsukiji Market October 7, 2014

The popular Tsukiji Market was on our agenda for the day but I didn't want to wake up before 5:00 a.m. to watch the tuna auction. Even though we missed the early morning attraction, the market was still buzzing and had so much in store for first-time visitors like us.

Tsukiji Market is one of the biggest markets in the world.

Fresh and interesting catch

Lots of fresh seafood

This wholesale market sells many fresh (and interesting) fish and seafood. I didn't even recognize some of them. They also feature fresh fruit and vegetable produce. I found asparagus and peanuts that were so thick around, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Giant peanuts and other produce in Tsukiji Market

More goodies (some peculiar) on display

It's fun to browse at the different products for sale.

We weaved through the crowds and browsed at the market's various products including souvenir items. I even found mini hand fans. Not the folding kind but the round ones. They were so cute, I couldn't resist buying a few for keepsake. I also bought some paper coasters featuring typical Japanese landscape designs. They were lovely!

It's hard to miss the several walk-up food stalls serving fresh sushi and ramen. Visiting folks were lining up to eat. Some were even relishing their meals with beer. And it was only around 9:00 a.m!

Tsukiji Market is famous for its fresh sushi and ramen.

Just one of the stalls serving fresh sushi in Tsukiji Market

They have picture menus so you can point at what you'd like to order.

Even though we went there right after breakfast (had some yummy pastries we bought from a bakery in Akihabara the night before), I was craving breakfast with eggs. We found a store that served specialty omelette rolls. I was so happy! I ordered the one with salmon and veggies. It was really good and rather sweet-tasting but served cold.

I asked the cold omelette store owners to pose for me.

A variety of cold omelette rolls

Alan, on the other hand, bought some of the delicious walnut clusters.

A store owner offering samples of his freshly cooked fish.

If you happen to roam these parts, you'll find a shop that sells a collection of sake cups. Some could potentially be used as shot glasses. In the back of the store, they have expensive lacquered boxes and containers that could be used to serve rice.

A collection of sake glasses.

On our way out, we saw a group of elementary school students in line for a tour. Nice to know that even they get a treat by visiting Tsukiji Market and learning about their own culture.

Elementary school boys on a field trip.

Across the way is Tsukiji Bon Marche

I read that Tsukiji Market will soon be relocated. I'm glad we had the chance to see this original location. JTB Tours, the largest and most reputable tour company in Japan, offers a guided tour of the bustling shops of Tsukiji Market that ends with a sushi-making workshop. You can learn more here.

Read more about Tsukiji Market's history here.

This story is part of a series on Japan adventures and is continued from Menu Surprise.

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