Behind the Scenes in Tokyo

Filed in archive Hidden Gems on July 16, 2007

Tokyo is a city of seafood. While sushi is the most famous and respected of the nation's dishes, all types of seafood are important to Japan's cuisine. While it is possible to find seafood all around Tokyo's sprawling districts, it is interesting to go to the source of it all.

Tsukiji-Ichiba (Tokyo's Fish Market) gets going early, perhaps too early. Still, the action inside the massive space is more of a wake-up call than a cup of coffee, so even night owls will appreciate this scene. There are also a number of stall touting some amazingly bizarre species. It is a who's who of the fish world. The sheer number of fish and the feeling of a behind-the-scenes look at Tokyo really make this an interesting place, especially at 6 a.m. The atmosphere is full of energy.

The Fish market is in the Chuo District of Central Tokyo. There are small sushi places around the market serving up the freshest of the fresh. While these morsels of uncooked fish are not cheap, they are reasonable; especially considering Tokyo is one of the planet's most expensive cities.

It's easy to feel like an outsider when visiting Tokyo. However, places like Tsukiji-Ichiba offer a special look at the earthy aspects of Japan's culture.