Tigers and Cranes

I’ve been stuck in a real boondocks, and i find it nearly impossible to write coherent entries since i am away from my computer as well as having maybe like 5 minutes of free time each day. So, until i can get back home , some choice articles from the past, in case you’ve missed them!

Here’s one about Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market!

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if there is one place in tokyo where you could easily hurt yourself, it would be tsukiji fish market. (築地魚市)

it’s no secret that japanese and fish are quite fond of one another. fish for breakfast, fish for lunch, fish for dinner, fish for kids’ snack, and fish as side dish while you’re out drinking… yep, it’s japan’s favorite source of protein, and possibly, their secret to longevity.

tsukiji market in tokyo bay supplies a large chunk of this city’s fish supply, and is especially important to all the sushi shops, as most of their tuna and other fishy ilk come from here every morning. this is the place where famous fish auctioning takes place, where fisherman display their catches as restauranteurs and fishmongers bid.

the scene can get quite chaotic, and it used to be that general public and indeed tourists could stand and watch the process, but as they often interefered with the business of fish dealing by getting in the way of auctioning process, there’s been a move to restrict these spectators.

when i arrived at tsukiji, it was already late, as by 8 am, the business is pretty much done. but even at 9 am, there is still a hive of activity taking place in the market, as deliveries and clean up crew are still about, and narrow streets are jammed with… well, with these things.

what are these three wheeled things called?

i have no idea what these wheeled contraptions are called, but they are literally everywhere, careening this way and that, with the operators of the vehicles deftly avoiding frontal crashes with other vehicles, pedestrians, cats, and shop displays.

the operator of these carts stand on these things (there is no chair), and they rotate the huge horizontal handle to steer the entire front assembly which includes not only the front wheel but also the engine and i presume, the transmission. the speed is controlled by pushing down on a tilting rim that is above the steering wheel, and to brake, there is a foot pedal. it looks like a lot of fun to drive.

i nearly got bumped off from this mortal world by several of these three wheeled beasts, and i suggest if you visit tsukiji, be alert and watch where you’re going.

the drivers are obviously true working folks of tokyo, and it looks as though many of them have been at this for many years, with a quite a few of them tooling around, with a cigarette hanging out of corner of their mouth, squinting in the light of the rising morning sun.

for a tourist, it’s a great place to browse many fresh produce such as these fresh wasabi.

fresh wasabi

if you think real wasabi comes in little plastic tubes, well, you simply have to taste real wasabi from this odd looking… what is this, a root? the taste is similar to wasabi that can be had almost anywhere, but it’s a little earthier, and more flavorful, with none of that “i just blew up my sinus” sting that comes from the stuff you get in tubes or powder. and, these things are quite expensive. beyond produce stands, there are many shops and stands that sell anything from t-shirts, knives, household goods, and other sundry items.

as well, there are tiny hole in the wall restaurants that sell fresh seafood, and for breakfast, i enjoyed a bowl of uni (sea urchin) and toro (tuna) donburi, served with hot tea and miso. while i certainly had better tasting seafood don elsewhere (hakodate in hokkaido, for example), tsukiji market restaurants do serve up fairly righteous meals.

i recommend that you rise early to visit the tsukiji fish market, as i’ve said, most of the action dies down by the time the sun is up. the best way to get there probably is by taking the hibiya line to the tsukiji station. from the station, follow the map of the area. most likely, there are other early risers who are headed your way. following them should lead you to the market, and the “お魚天国” (osakana tengoku- fish heaven).

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 at 1:30 am and is filed under Best of TnG. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.