So here we are, last day in Japan! Can’t believe just 27 days ago I was on an airplane heading into Singapore and now I’ve covered 5 countries, 16 cities! It’s been a great experience but I’d like to mention how this non-stop traveling makes such an impact on your body. As tempting as laying around the hotel watching Japanese TV, my last day wasn’t going to be spent being lazy. Anyway, got dressed, grabbed another shot of caffeen and aimed to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market. Have I mentioned how 10 out of the 11 days have been sunny in Japan? Incredible!
Tsukiji Fish Market
The largest wholesale fish and seafood market of it’s kind in the world. Located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and a major attraction for foreign visitors. Peak hours for tourists to arrive are 5-7 am to see the auction take place. Here, tourists are able to view all the action taking place between the registered bidders and sellers. Unfortunately there was no way I was getting up that early unless handouts of sashimi were advertised – then maybe! I did line up for a sashimi lunch, which was very good. Not sure why it cost an arm and a leg though. Photos were not permitted within the restaurant either, how lame! Seeing as I missed all the action in the morning, the food market didn’t offer any other means of entertainment unless you were out here to purchase seafood.
History about the Tsukiji Fish Market,
The first market in Tokyo was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Edo period to provide food for Edo castle (nowadays Tokyo). Tokugawa Ieyasu invited fishermen from Tsukudajima, Osaka to Edo to provide fish for the castle. Fish not bought by the castle was sold near The Nihonbashi bridge, at a market called uogashi (literally, “fish quay”). This was one of many specialized wholesale markets that lined the canals of Edo (as Tokyo was known until the 1870s).
In August 1918, following the so-called “Rice Riots” (Kome Soudou), which broke out in over 100 cities and towns in protest against food shortages and the speculative practices of wholesalers, the Japanese government was forced to create new institutions for the distribution of foodstuffs, especially in urban areas. A Central Wholesale Market Law was established in March 1923.
The Great Kantō earthquake on September 1, 1923, devastated much of central Tokyo, including the Nihonbashi fish market. In the aftermath of the earthquake, the market was relocated to the Tsukiji district and, after the construction of a modern market facility was completed in 1935, the fish market began operations under the provisions of the 1923 Central Wholesale Market Law. Three major markets in Tsukiji, Kanda, and Koto began operating in 1935. Smaller branch markets were established in Ebara, Toshima, and Adachi, and elsewhere. At present, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s system of wholesale markets includes more than a dozen major and branch markets, handling seafood, produce, meat, and cut flowers. -Wiki
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Ginza
Said to be the most expensive part of Tokyo filled with boutiques, department stores, restaurants and coffeehouses. Showcases the most luxurious shopping districts in the world, similar to New York’s 5th Avenue! I had no plans to visit Ginza, but seeing as it was just a stop over before Hei-jinja, I decided to check out the neighbourhood nonetheless. Only really spent 30 minutes here, didn’t come too shop – plus the goods were too cheap for my taste. /sarcasm
Hie-jinja Shrine
Dropped into Hie-jinja Shrine located in Akasaka to see their row of closely built red torii’s. Not as grand as Fushimi Inari’s in Kyoto or Tsuwano’s near Yamaguchi but an alternative if you get out that way. When I arrived at the temple there was a cloud of smoke coming up out of the shines courtyard. Wasn’t sure what to make it out at first, but it looks like I just stumbled onto a fire ceremony – fascinated, I started taking photos! I read that evening back at the hotel it was a once a year tradition where they burning all the accumulated fortunes into the earth – lucky day for me!
To note, the temple also has two entrances. The front presented with a wide flight of stairs and one big torri while the back with a narrower climb roofed with columns of red torris. If you’re bound to Tokyo and can’t make your way out to see the bigger Torii’s in Kyoto or Yamaguchi, this would be your alternative.
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Kabukicho (Red light district) in Shinjuku & Hello Kitty Store
Decided to fill up the rest of the evening by walk around Shinjuku’s downtown district. I also heard of a Hello Kitty store in the area, but no guide or map specified where it was. It must have been a secret place mysterious to all foreigners, scavenge clues by asking locals by using the book of Japanese to English translations you uncovered earlier in the trip. Clues lead you to collect 10 unique HK artifacts scattered throughout the land; where when all collected summons a cute HK doll which teleports you to a world outside of earth where then the walls of the Hello Kitty store will open! As you can see from the image, I had successful found it!
Walking around the street of Shinjuku I stumbled into an alley that looked to welcoming to resist with all its advertisement and flashing lights. Now imagine if every alley felt like it was better then the last alley you just went down; this is what it left like. Where I walked into was Kabukicho, the red light district of Tokyo. I remember getting lost in the maze of alleys/streets only to find myself circling around the three most important necessities here; food, video games and sex – I kid you not! Let me clear one thing up though, “It’s not like Amsterdam, there is no window shopping here!”
How disappointing! So I just spent my time looking over shoulders of arcade players!
