Tsukiji is the largest fish market in the world. It dates back to the Edo period and now processes about 20% of the world’s catch. Don’t read further if you don’t want to see big, dead fish.
We arrive at dawn to see the tuna auction, which is held promptly at 6 am.
Tuna from as far away as the North Atlantic are laid out in neat rows. I am assured that this is the good stuff–high fat tuna that makes the best sushi.
Agents from various wholesalers inspect the merchandise. A good tuna can be worth thousands of dollars.
The auction begins. The auctioneer’s shouts are apparently incomprehensible even to native Japanese speakers. Buyers make bids using covert hand gestures. The auctioneers move quickly down the rows, rapidly disposing of the tuna.
Some of the purchased tuna goes across the road to the main market, where it is quickly cut up to sell to restaurants and retailers.
Many other kinds of seafood are also sold here.
Reminds me of the Seattle fish market where they had a big ugly fish that yelled at the customers (when the vendor subtly pushed a button).