Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
1–10 of 31 posts
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#2Although perhaps it won't close after all, the article says.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#3Just visited Tsukiji inner market a few weeks ago. They use a huge amount of ice and styrofoam to keep the fish cold. What really blew my mind is the on-site styrofoam recycling center. Not only are they using high-value land for recycling, but also saving energy and pollution by not transporting material away. Very progressive and forward thinking.
On the other hand, the whale jerky in the outer market just made me sad.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#4I've been to Tsukiji a number of times, including the morning after Fukushima. Most recently I was there in September. They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day.
Sushi Dai is good but not worth standing in line for an hour. There are dozens of restaurants along Shin Ohashi Dori with local specialities and no tourists. For my money, I'd rather get a lunch reservation at Kyubey or Sushi Iwa than stand in line forever to get squeezed (literally) into Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi. There's a great coffee place a couple blocks away called Turret Coffee, ironically tucked behind a Starbucks.
And please, don't bring a suitcase. I honestly cannot believe the throngs of tourists I saw last time bringing in full-size roller suitcases. The market was not built as a tourist attraction—watch where you're going, accept that your shoes will get dirty and don't bring bags. Or touch the fish.
The market is worth visiting, especially if you're coming from the US, meaning the jet lag will have you wide awake at 3am your first morning. Embrace it and head on over.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#5I've been to Tsukiji a number of times, including the morning after Fukushima. Most recently I was there in September. They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day. Sushi Dai is good but not worth standing in line for an hour. There are dozens of restaurants along Shin Ohashi Dori with local specialities and no tourists…
> They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day.
>...
>The market is worth visiting, especially if you're coming from the US, meaning the jet lag will have you wide awake at 3am your first morning. Embrace it and head on over.
But what's the point if you can't visit the inner market? Is there a big difference between the inner and outer market?
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#6I've been to Tsukiji a number of times, including the morning after Fukushima. Most recently I was there in September. They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day. Sushi Dai is good but not worth standing in line for an hour. There are dozens of restaurants along Shin Ohashi Dori with local specialities and no tourists…
> They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day. >... >The market is worth visiting, especially if you're coming from the US, meaning the jet lag will have you wide awake at 3am your first morning. Embrace it and head on over. But what's the point if you can't visit the inner market? Is there a big difference between the…
The inner market is the wholesale market, where chefs and such are buying fish. The outer market is more varied. Dry goods, kitchen supply, lots of restaurants and now a fair number of stores selling tourist kitsch.
As a tourist I actually wouldn't bother getting to the market before 5am. Skip the tuna auction (there are a million videos on YouTube). The subways start running at 5, so catch one then and start with an early bite. Lots of places selling onigiri, find one. If you need caffeine, find a vending machine selling canned hot or cold coffee (often with Tommy Lee Jones staring at you) or try ordering from one of the small coffee shops in the market.
Wander the outer market—there are some interesting stores there. Head outside the market to Shin Ohashi Dori and find a food stall for breakfast. Depending on how much time you've killed, the inner market may be open or you can take a stroll over to Hama Rikyu Kien, a large garden next to the market. Head back after 10 and see the inner market. At this point it's mostly people cleaning up or taking a rest. There's still some business but it's mostly done for the day.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#7Although perhaps it won't close after all, the article says.
Good point. We changed the title above to the article's subtitle.
The submitted title was "How to Visit Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo Before It Closes". Submitters: please don't rewrite titles unless they are misleading or linkbait (https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html). Rewriting to be more misleading is particularly bad.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#8I've been to Tsukiji a number of times, including the morning after Fukushima. Most recently I was there in September. They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day. Sushi Dai is good but not worth standing in line for an hour. There are dozens of restaurants along Shin Ohashi Dori with local specialities and no tourists…
Went there 10 years ago, loved the little (what I assume) were homemade vehicles they'd build for carrying stuff through the narrow alleys between stalls. I did actually see a Tuna auction and what struck me was the cadence of the auctioneer, it was identical to the auctioneers at sheep/cattle auctions I went to with my dad in the UK when I was a child. I wondered if that particular cadence is something that comes naturally or spread somehow.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#9I've been to Tsukiji a number of times, including the morning after Fukushima. Most recently I was there in September. They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day. Sushi Dai is good but not worth standing in line for an hour. There are dozens of restaurants along Shin Ohashi Dori with local specialities and no tourists…
I absolutely hate standing in line for anything, but I waited for Sushi Dai.
It's a fun cultural experience when you compare it to the throngs of folks waiting for a random sunday brunch in SF or NYC, and the omakase menu was utterly outstanding.
I've also had the great fortune of securing a reservation at Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi Hills (the son of "Jiro Dreams of Sushi"). The meal was extraordinary, but the formality of being watched during every bite (and scolded for holding my chopsticks at a angle instead of perfectly horizontal) meant that Sushi Dai was actually a more enjoyable experience even with the wait.
Just my two cents.
Re: Tsukiji, Japan’s iconic fish market, is still booming—for now
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
> They're glossing over the recent rules that tourists aren't allowed in the inner market before 10am, largely after business is done for the day. >... >The market is worth visiting, especially if you're coming from the US, meaning the jet lag will have you wide awake at 3am your first morning. Embrace it and head on over. But what's the point if you can't visit the inner market? Is there a big difference between the…
The inner market is the wholesale market, where chefs and such are buying fish. The outer market is more varied. Dry goods, kitchen supply, lots of restaurants and now a fair number of stores selling tourist kitsch. As a tourist I actually wouldn't bother getting to the market before 5am. Skip the tuna auction (there are a million videos on YouTube). The subways start running at 5, so catch one then and start with an…
Love the Tommy Lee Jones reference! He's literally everywhere on vending machines in Japan.