Famous food markets: Tsukiji Fish Market

Food markets are a major attraction for culinary tourists. They are busy, packed, and full of life. They are an interesting place to be at. Many chefs get inspiration for their dishes from these markets. Seasonal produce, meat, and seafood provide chefs with the necessary motivation to create outstanding menus and dishes. Many well-known chefs come to food markets to find special ingredients that they celebrate on their menus. Shop owners and culinary experts post guides explaining how to navigate through food markets, showing places to visit, buy, and eat at.

Tsukiji Fish Market is the world's largest fish market and one of Japan's most prized tourist attractions. Located near the Tsukijishijo station on the Toei Oedo line and Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibya line, this market deals with over 400 different varieties of seafood there. It not only deals with fish but also has many famous restaurants, street foods, yearly events, tuna auctions, other kinds of produce, etc. Many fishmongers, wholesale retailers, and sushi experts are situated in and around the Tsukiji Fish Market which provides top-quality seafood to a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan. But before we talk about that......

---

HISTORY LESSON!

Tsukiji means "constructed land". According to The Gate, In 1657, as a part of a post-fire recovery plan, Tsukiji was constructed on a section of the Sumida River after a large fire burned everything there, including a very famous Buddhist temple known as Tsukiji Hongwanji. In 1923, after the Great Kanto earthquake, Uogashi which was the most famous fish market in Tokyo was moved to Tsukiji from Nihombashi.

It became a place of business for fishmongers due to a rumor that businesses would prosper when run on the remains of a graveyard. Hence, the remains of the Honganji burial grounds became a popular marketplace for them. During the Edo period (1603-1857), Samurais (warriors) and Daimyo (feudal lords) were the majority of the residents in Tsukiji. Naturally, merchants opened up shops there to sell firewood, coal, and rice.

Tsukiji Fish Market was a distribution center for perishable food during World War 2. Tsukiji consists of two markets; the Inner market and the Outer market. The inner market which is prohibited to the public has been relocated to Toyosu (3km southeast of Tsukiji) in 2018 and is now known as the Toyosu Fish Market, whereas the Outer market is still known as the Tsukiji Fish Market and is available for the common public to explore.

---

Tuna Auctions

One of the most interesting and fascinating things about the Toyosu Fish Market is its Tuna Auctions. People buy different kinds and varieties of tuna fish for exorbitant amounts. Kiyoshi Kimura, who owns the Sushizanmai chain, once paid 3.1 million dollars (333.6 million yen) for a 278 kg Bluefin tuna. It is really shocking to see the extent people go to pay for tuna.

Many different varieties of seafood arrive at the market by land, sea, and air on a daily basis. But, tuna is one fish that is dropped off by trucks every hour. There is a massive requirement for tuna in sushi restaurants across Japan. There are many wholesalers whose businesses thrive on tuna. The government of Japan has also imposed a restriction on the amount of tuna that fishermen can catch in a day. Even though it affects intermediate wholesalers' business, they say it is good for them in the long run.

Only selected vendors and businessmen can witness these tuna auctions which happen very early in the morning. If you want to watch the auction from the observation deck, you can only do so by winning a lottery. The auction is very fast-paced and it finishes in 15 minutes from the point the bids start. The vendors have specific hand signals to place their bids. The auctions have their own kind of communication style which is very difficult to follow and peculiar to look at.

---

Tourist Attractions

One of the main attractions in this market is the number of talented individuals who dedicate their life to their craft and are at the top of their level. The attention and detail they give to maintain the quality of their product is truly remarkable!

Tsukiji Fish Market also holds many events yearly and these are part of the tourist attraction along with many restaurants, shops, street food carts, etc. The Gate states that the market holds events such as the half-price market, Tsukiji Shishi festival, Hongan-ji Bon-odori festival, etc.

People say that kaisendon (A bowl of rice with sashimi or sliced fish) and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) are a must-try here. I have provided a couple of videos here for you to see Japan's famous restaurants and shops near Tsukiji Market.

---

Well, I hope I have enlightened you enough today. The Tsukiji Fish Market continues to provide fish and seafood to the entire world through its gigantic clockwork of operations. People working there don't even care that you are in their way and will literally run over you if they have to.......No, seriously. I would recommend you to watch all the videos above if not some, to learn more about this chaotic place.

That's it for this week! See you in the next one.