We were told to go to the Tsukiji fish market on our first. The jet lag would actually help. Sure enough, we ere up at 4AM – no alarm needed. Unfortunately, you have to be at the market by 3:45AM to see the tuna auction – and the subways don’t start working until closer to 5AM. There’s a workaround for anyone interested – they have these bookstores that let you “rent” a cubicle at an hourly rate. Cubicles come with either 1) computer + chair 2) recliner or 3) sleeping mat. There’s a bookstore within a 5 minutes of the market. So you can “rent” a room from midnight til 3:30AM for about $10US and then walk over. We weren’t that hardcore and just wanted to see the market. So we were fine heading over after the auction.
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boarded the subway and I spotted a man wearing wellies and carrying a large basket. I told Nick, “he must be going to the market!” – sure enough, we followed him the whole way there – subway transfer and all. At one point, I made us hold back a little because I was worried he was creeped out by the tall, bald, white guy following him – clearly, I was not a threat 🙂
The main purpose of our trip to the market was a stop for morning, breakfast sushi! There are all sorts of options, but we ended up picking a moderately busy spot with a tripadvisor sticker in the window. Sushi for breakfast – go us, picking a tripadvisor spot – a little less street cred. There were a few places with REALLY long lines, but we decided we didn’t want to wait. The longs lines were even longer when we left, so there must be something delicious being served there – or maybe super cheap 🙂
These restaurants are more like holes in the wall – 1 long bar and tiny bar stools with almost no room to pass by.
The service is quick – and you get some tea, miso soup, and pickled radishes to eat with your breakfast. We all ordered a Kaisen Don. A Kaisen Don is basically a bowl of sushi rice with assorted raw fish over the top. I had tuna, salmon, and salmon eggs. I LOVE salmon eggs, but I am going to recommend that salmon eggs for breakfast is not a great idea. Salmon eggs for lunch or dinner, great. But stay away at breakfast 🙂
