Japan - Tokyo, Day 2

Tokyo, Japan Day 94 (May 4)

Today we take the first subway into town at 4:45AM, and head to the largest fish market in the world; the famous Tsukiji fish market. When we arrive at 6AM, the line is already around the block for the sushi restaurants which open at 7AM. As tempting as sushi is for breakfast, we decide to spend a few hours walking around the massive seafood market.

Early train for us, late train for others

long line for the Sushi restaurant at 6AM

Apparently, the fish arrive at 3AM, the wholesale auction is at 5:30AM, and the seafood market is open between 6AM and 8AM. There is tons of cool stuff to see. We especially enjoy watching the workers fillet huge fresh tuna, using 5 foot long samurai sword looking knives. There is also massive flash frozen tuna, which are cut into smaller pieces using a band saw.

flash frozen tuna quality control

cutting frozen tuna with band saw

cutting fresh tuna with a long samurai sword

need a hand?

moving to another cutting board

some fresh tuna for breakfast?

Yep, taste good!

Taking orders

packaged fresh sea urchin. Maybe they imported from Santa Barbara

Fins still moving, yikes!

Is that the most beautiful Tuna cut you've ever seen?

Lock and Load, ship to rest of the world

After the market, we pass by the Sumo stadium, and visit a nearby sumo training stable where they are nice enough to let us watch them practice. The Sumo stable is so quiet during practice; you can hear every breath and grunt of the wrestlers, interrupted only by a massive smack when they collide at the beginning of a practice bout.

Somo stadium, flags up for the up coming tournament

KR has no chance in an eating contest

The practice is very ritualistic, with a detailed routine that ends at 10:30AM sharp. Based on the different wrestlers in the stable, it seems they first get very strong and fit, and then start a massive weight gain program; eating two massive meals a day (lunch and dinner) which are both followed by sleeping. We are very surprised at the end of the workout to see 300 pound wrestlers stretching in perfect splits; legs apart, and body face down on the floor.

Entrance to the Stable

Wrestler stance

Collision!

Vana's new bodyguards

In the evening. JieJie dressed Vana up in a summer Kimono. We did some last minute shopping, then head out for Indian food.

New sandals match the Kimono

All tied up behind

shop for cute Japanese socks

After several days walking all around Japan, my feet are done. I’ve been wearing socks and cheap beach sandals (bought in Bali) everywhere in Japan, since the infected blisters on the heels of my feet still haven’t healed since diving in Thailand. Every day when we get back to Dongli’s place, my complaint is the same; Tokyo is too big!

Thanks so much to Dong Li and Jia Yunjian for letting us stay and showing us around.