Tokyo Part 3

This was our last day Japan, so we decided that we could risk getting up in the dark to make our way to the famous Tsukiji Tuna Auction held at 530 a.m everyday. That, was a very difficult feat as I was pretty tired by that day. But it proved to be worth the effort.

We decided to be adventurous and took the subway to Shimbashi as the Tsukiji station's line doesn't start till later. It proved to be a test of patience and sense of direction when we arrived in the station and couldn't navigate our way in the dark. Plus the roads had barriers to it, making it impossible to cross the roads. So, that didn't help. But what helped in the end was two good samaritans :). One was heading to the same direction, but unfortunately was also a tourist. But at least he could speak Japanese! Hehehe.. so in the end, we asked another person, and he then showed us the way :).

Once we were in the compounds of the market, we were lost again :(. We entered the market on the opposite side of where the auction is held, which did not make things any easier. Plus, it was a bustling market with little vehicle thingys moving around in addition to the busy busy merchants. An experience indeed. Not that I really minded it :P. But we were both a little stressed that we might miss the auction after losing time getting lost and now, having to find our way to the auction. Thankfully, most of the merchants there, although can't speak English, understood perfectly where we wanted to go when we say 'Auction' :). That helped heaps.

We found the little entrance meant for tourist just after 5:15 a.m. Good timing *grin* It was only a small space for all the tourist, something like an alley where we could watch the auction. Never have I seen so much tunas and such huge ones in one place at one time.

Laid out tunas (and this was only 1 part of the auction)

Potential buyer inspecting before auction starts

Tsukiji Market is famous as a wholesale market for freshfood in Tokyo, handling the famous tuna auctions every morning at times between 5-6 a.m. There was much issues with tourist previously when they interfered with the normal working of the auction and there was talk of banning tourist from attending the market. Hence, a tourist observation spot was made in the auction venue to minimize interference. However, there was still several rules to follow, mainly no flash photography is allowed. I suppose it interfered with the auction by being a distraction.

And the auction begins:

Next row now

The auction was an experience itself. They would stand a little wooden step and start chanting away. Initially, when the auction started about 5 metres away, when the guy started chanting and moving - we thought he was giving us a little performance before the start of the official auctioning, but it was the auction itself!! Truly amazing, truly enjoyable. It was worth getting up at 4 a.m for :).

Bought tunas being delivered

The auction was over in about 20-30 minutes, and from there we decided to venture into the wet market. The fresh food market sold mainly marine productly only, and there was so much to see! Some of them sold live fish, crabs, some sushis, some eels, some octopus. There was also a stall that sold sea urchins cleaned and packed.

Sushi stall

Octopus!!

Yummyssss!!

Look at the size of the tunas!!

It is recommended to all tourist to enjoy sushis after the auction, which we both obviously heeded the advice. Two sushi lovers in a fresh marine food place? Definitely!! We tried looking for the sushi shop that was recommended by LP, but couldn't find it so we decided to head to a random one, which had a few customers in there already. Not surprisingly, most of them were tourist :).

As we didn't know what to order specifically, we took the set meals. A good choice as they provided assorted sushis for us to try :). The different sets are differentiated by their quality, rather than the types of sushi.

Preparing our order

Set 1

Set 2

After breakfast, we took the subway from Tsukiji station itself, which was located just beneath the market and headed back to our hotel as we needed to check out. Lucky for us, check out time was 11 instead of the usual 10! That one hour made a whole lot of difference to us!

As our flight as scheduled at 5pm, we decided to make full use of the time and headed to Meiji Jingu as our last stop. The rain was getting heavier as we left the hotel, so we had to get another umbrella from the 7-11 outside our hotel. (Our other umbrella got stolen!!!! :( )

Meiji Jingu is located just behind the Harajuku Station, which wasn't too far from Shinjuku. The only downside was the rain that day :(. The shrine is located within in 700m² area, which forms a forest.

Walking through the forest

Second Torii

Meiji Jingu is a shinto shrine dedicated to Emporer Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Both famous and well-loved people in Japan and other parts of the world. Emporer Meiji was particularly famous for this role in establishing modern Japan, whereas his consort was famous for her involvement in national welfare and women's education. After their death, a shrine was built and 100,00 trees were donated both from Japan and worldwide. Together they form the forest & shrine - Meiji Jingu. In 2008, there was a total of 170,000 trees, the forest indistinguishable from a natural forest.

Temizuya

Inner compounds

There was a wedding ceremony in another building next to the main shrine, where I got a glimpse of the bride and groom before they disappear to the lower floor. Unfortunately, the area was closed to public during the ceremony, so that was a pity. But understandbly though. As there was a wedding while we were there, there was many ladies dressed in kimonos which was a really pretty sight.

Part of the main shrine building

Apart from the Meiji Jingu Forest, the other famous location on site was Meiji Jingu Gardens also known as Gyoen. It is the only part that existed before Meiji Jingu itself, a garden which Emporer Meiji had created for Empress Shoken. It supposedly had an iris garden and fishing spot, but we didn't enter the gardens as the rain was getting heavier.

From Meiji Jingu we decided to head to Harajuku for some food before returning to the hotel to collect our luggages. Unfortunately, Harajuku didn't seem to sell any Japanese meals. Most of the shops has western meals which wasn't what we were looking for. It was my last meal in Japan, and I want Japanese!!!

Harajuku

Harajuku was not how I envisoned it to be, the place wasn't packed, there wasn't much happening while we were there. Perhaps it was a weekday, and it was raining. There's probably heaps more to see on a weekend.

Nevertheless, we made full use of our time and walked along the street. It was here that I finally got to visit a 100 yen shop. It was at least 3 storeys, and there was heaps of things to look at! Toys, games, clothes, socks, stationeries, everything! It was fun walking through them :).

After that, we went back to Shinjuku to grab our lunch (one of the fastest lunch I've ever eaten - in less than 10 minutes!) as we were rushing for the airport express. Being two tired and annoyed people at the weather, we decided to pay the extra and took the Narita Express from Shinjuku. Costed us quite a bit more, but definitely the much easier and faster route. Especially with soaking shoes :P.

All in all, the trip was one enjoyable 17 days. Now, I just have to start saving again for another trip there, to Hokkaido at least! :)