Eat Sushi Everyday…
A recent Economist article profiled Tsukiji, Tokyo’s landmark fish market. In the article, a branding consultancy estimates that the “Tsukiji” name could be worth $3 billion. Even more revealing is the Tokyo government’s plan to move the landmark market to a man made island outside the city center by 2012. Proponents of the move argue that Tsukiji is located on prime real estate where property developers are eyeing the land, which is located a few blocks away from Ginza. In addition, the market, which was built in 1935, has far outgrown its humble beginnings. The alleyways are too narrow causing causing motorized carts driven by merchants to collide with pedestrians as seen here:
Tskuiji remains a tremendous tourist attraction. However, there is fear that the new location will not be able to recreate the charm of the original market. I’ve been fortunate enough to go to Tsukiji on two of my visit to Japan. You definitely feel you are experiencing a slice of Japanese life. The fresh fish in of itself was enough for me to have gone there on consecutive days…lol Its definitely one of those “can’t miss” places to go when you are in Tokyo.
For those who haven’t gone yet… Here are some random sushi pics from Tsukiji to entice you…lol
ah the memories. i see rb there haha.
also, i’ve been to tsukiji a handful of times, and i loved it every time (four or five times maybe). i honestly don’t think that moving it would be a good idea. a mainstay of any place’s popularity is its accessibility, and if it were moved to an island, the ‘achalandage’ would diminish considerably, i’m guessing.
And there are some great food stalls in the area too for those of use who want to pig out after eating sushi…lol
haha funny, from my experience, you can get picked up by a random Japanese person to go on a spontaneous date at the fish market in Tokyo! I wonder if this was the case for you too, making this sushi experience all the more memorable.