Tokyo Fish Market

Tsukiji

The Tokyo Fish Market is listed in the tour books as a don't miss attraction. It has more workers (who all seem to arrive on scooters and cycles) than a small city. A fish auction and a fruit/vegetable auction supply to wholesalers who in turn supply to the entire city. About 1000 small shops process an incredible variety of seafood for Tokyo's 12 million densely packed residents.

The morning fish auction is closed to the public. In fact the entire room is off limits, unless you are from National Geographic.

The products of the auction are distributed throughout the 70 Acres of food stalls, alleys, roadways and restaurants.

Six foot ling sword-like knives are handled by master cutters.

The amount of highly skilled hand labor is staggering.

Some of the vendors have merchandise other than Tuna.

The market is like Bladerunner with set design by Jacques Cousteau.






A special "spoon" gets the last of the flesh after the main cut is made. Several customers are just off camera waiting.

The narrower rows need old fashioned delivery carts.

Several "Ice Plants" supply huge amounts of blocks that get delivered to the stalls.

All in all, quite a surreal experience.

More about Tokyo as I get it ready
Bob