The Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest seafood market in the world. Boasting everything from cheap seaweed to the world's most expensive caviar to controversial whale meat, over 700,000 tons of seafood pass through this location every year! Although primarily a working wholesale market, it has also evolved into a tourist attraction for those interested in a first-hand look at where their sushi comes from.
In order to guarantee our spot on one of the two 30 person tours offered per day, we had to be there by 4am! Because we knew our hotel was very close to the market, we didn't have the forethought to look up directions beforehand. Finding the market turned out to be much more difficult than we imagined. Although there was lots of movement in the shops surrounding the market, we didn't see any indication of the main entrance. Fortunately, we bumped into three Asian girls with what appeared to be a map and sense that they knew where they were going. By this point in the trip, we had been trained to shorten sentences to their most important parts to efficiently communicate. We therefore simply asked, "You go market?" One of the girls looked at us quizzically and replied, "Yes, it's right over there." It turns out that they were from Singapore, an English-speaking country. Our thorough embarrassment was increased when we had to stand with them for the next 2-3 hours while we waited for the tour to begin!
We arrive in Tokyo!
Some time between 4-6:00 in the morning waiting to get into the fish market. Each tour was given a jersey of shame to wear, signifying that we were tourists.
Being escorted through the market. The tour was heavily regulated with guards to accompany us at all times. We were discouraged from taking photos while walking to the fish auction area and had to stay with the group. Once we saw the bustle of distributors and flurry of speeding carts, it was clear to see the need for high safety measures.
Once in the fish market, we were directed to the tuna auctions. Inside, it was a large warehouse filled with various sizes of frozen tuna laid out on wooden pallets. Agents for restaurants and distributors paced around and inspected each fish with picks and flashlights.
It's hard to believe the quality of tuna could vary so much between each fish...
Tuna sales being carted off for distribution
After the auction, the tour was over and we were led out of the inner market area. Being this close to the source, we immediately went to a seafood bar and had a sushi breakfast! The quality of fish was the highest I've ever experienced. Coming late to the sushi game, I'm not one to branch out and try new things very often. However, in Japan we didn't really have a choice. A platter is selected and the the patrons get everything that's on it. Because everything was so fresh, it didn't have a fishy taste or rubbery texture that can often gross me out about many sushi options. Aside from the eel, which I'm still not ready for, everything on our plate, er...leaf as it was served here, was delicious and tender!
After breakfast, we walked around the outer market area, which sells more wholesale products and kitchen utensils. It was extremely crowded, but a fun place to spend a few hours after the auction. Craig even got some some sort of bivalve from a street vendor for a snack.
We return to the business hotel. Note the tiny door!
After the market, we cleaned up went to see a play at the Kabuki-za theater. Kabuki is a classical drama-dance style of Japanese theater probably most well-known for the elaborate make-up and costumes worn by the performers. It was definitely unique to any theater I've ever experienced with interesting dances and movements unique to each of the characters.
Scene from a Kabuki play (Source: tokyotimes.com)
Hotel library
After getting our fill of the Tsukiji district, we packed up and headed for the Shinjuku area to check into the Park Hyatt, rated as one of the best hotels in the world. The experience at this hotel was different from the moment we entered the reception. Instead of roped off lines of impatient people, we entered a large, swanky room with thoughtful details and well-placed lighting and were greeted by a host in a sharp-looking suit. He directed us to a sit-down desk where we would begin the check-in process. I say "begin" because once they confirmed who we were, the hotel staff took us up to our room, gave us a tour, and officially checked us in inside the hotel room. When taking us to our room, the small female receptionist insisted on taking Craig's bag. I don't think she realized what she was getting herself into until she picked up the large backpack, which must have weighed at least 70% of her body weight. Despite her grunting and struggles, she wouldn't let Craig take it back and managed to get the bag up to the room. This dedication to hospitality, however absurd it may seem at times, will always earn Japan the top spot in the service industry.
Although we were excited to be in Tokyo, by this point in the trip, we were looking forward to having down time. Finding ourselves in a luxury hotel was the perfect excuse to lock ourselves away and pretend that the hotel, with it's city views and powerful rainhead shower, was our urban apartment. It also helped that the hotel was so difficult to get out of. We had to take 2 separate elevators do a lot of navigating just to find the exit!
Park Hyatt from the outside
Reception area
Hotel library
Checking out the fancy pants Park Hyatt.
Free champagne and flowers!
Not your average hotel gym
Tokyo with Mt. Fuji in the distance as seen from our hotel.
One event that got us out of the hotel was the Robot Restaurant located in Tokyo's technology district. It was one of the most bizarre experiences I've had and perfectly summed up modern Japanese culture. One of the most mind-blowing aspects of this restaurant was the insane amount of sensory input. When we first arrived, we were directed to a lounge area, which was covered ceiling to floor in mirrors, neon lights, and shiny tiles in an an array of psychedelic colors. While waiting for the main event, we kicked back in gold seashells and sipped on mixed drinks served from a can...all the while watching live bluegrass performed by robots.
At the Robot Restaurant, we ordered a whiskey with ginger ale and a Moscow mule. This is what they gave us!
Here we are trying not to have a seizure in the lounge waiting to be taken into the show room.
Bluegrassing robots
Another view of the waiting room.
When it was time for the main event to start, we were taken down several flights of stairs, which were also adorned with trippy colors and shiny things. The main show is a robot cabaret meaning there were scantly-clad Japanese women riding fighting robots to protect the harmony of the natural world. It was all tastefully done and created a very fun environment for the audience (once attendees realized what was going on). Craig and I had an absolute blast and I would recommend it as a must-do for anyone visiting Tokyo. Below are a few photos to give a general idea for what it's all about:
The show begins! Fighting robots!
With lasers coming out of a triceratops!
And scantly-clad Japanese dancers!
More robots and dancing!
Me feeling pretty stoked by the performance and finding our way back into the lounge!
Craig trying to find his way out of the restaurant.
Following the show, we spent a few hours walking the streets of the technology district. Again, there was so much input!
Technology district
View from our room on the 54th floor of the Park Hyatt. The dark spot in the center is the Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park.
Morning haze of Tokyo
Room service waffles.
Our last day in Tokyo was a rainy one, but we spent it at the Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park. This location was high on our to-do list because Craig found photos of his grandmother visiting the same location when she lived in Japan while in the Civilian Air Patrol in 1949-1952. It was fun to look for clues in the photos to figure out where she was within the shrine.
Craig with his grandma's photos from Japan.
Barrels of sake used as an offering to Emperor Meiji, who ruled during Japan's enlightenment period when the country began to open its doors for international trading.
Craig under one of the many impressive torii gates within the park.
