Russell and I headed off at 5am to the Tsujiki Fish Market. The place is massive, processing more than 2500 tons of seafood everyday! We were lucky enough to get to see some of the famous tuna auction, huge halls filled with massive tuna and their accompanying auctioneers in full cry. Its mind-boggling to see, but also quite disturbing, if thats how many tuna are sold everyday there can't be that many left in the oceans...
In addition to the tuna there were also vast halls filled with hundreds of different species of fish, crab, eel and every other conceivable type of seafood for sale. These guys really do seem to eat anything!
After wandering about looking at the fare on offer we just had to sample some for breakfast. We popped in to one of the many sushi restaurants surrounding the market for what was definitely the strangest breakfast I've ever had. We ate delicacies ranging from sea urchin to crab brains... a slight deviation from All Bran! I have to admit though that the sushi served up in this place makes a mockery of anything I've tried back home, it really is delicious.
After breakfast Russell headed off to work and I made my way over to the Imperial Palace for a early morning stroll. The inner grounds are only open on 2 days of the year but it was still beautiful to wander around the outer grounds. From the Palace I travelled over to the district of Ginza to get a feel for that part of the city. One of the more interesting stops I made was at the Sony building to check out the amazing gadgetry on display. After Ginza I slowly made my way back to Russell and Tanith's, with a stop for a sushi lunch of course...
Last night Tanith was at a work function so Russell and I headed to Roppongi to see the seedier sights of the city. It seems that the night club district is run by Nigerians! Off the main strip though we did find a gorgeous little spot for dinner. We were definitely the only westerners in the tiny place and the menu had absolutely zero English! Russell's Japanese was put to the test and succeeded in producing a wonderful time. The restaurant owners seemed so excited to have us there that they continued to produce amazing dishes for us to try, in combination with much beer, sake and shochu.
After dinner we joined Tanith and some of her teacher colleagues at a bar on the main drag for yet more beer and of course... karaoke! We managed to get home around 3:30am, thats nearly a full 24hrs of adventure later.
Tonight we are joining some of Russ and Tanith's Aussie friends for the big world cup cricket game. Go my boys!
Tons of tuna on auction in Tsujiki.
A fishy salesman!
Those are not small either...
And many other delicacies.
Mmmm... breakfast.
The Nijubashi bridge at the Imperial Palace
Russell and I get stuck in to some sake in Roppongi
Watch out Pop Idols! Tanith shows Bon Jovi how its really done.
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