Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

December 21, 2013 by David Herd

The market is being relocated in 2018

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market Tokyo is an amazing sight to see, however you have to set your alarm for an early start. To experience the action yo need to be there around 5am or earlier. The address is 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Negotiating the price

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as the Tsukiji Market, is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind.

Don’t argue with this guy.  😯

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

His knife is almost as big as a Samurai sword.

 The Tokyo Fish market is located near the Tsukijishijō Station on the Toei Ōedo Line and Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. There are two distinct sections of the market. The “inner market” is the licensed wholesale market, where the auctions and most of the processing of the fish take place, and where licensed wholesale dealers (approximately 900 of them) operate small stalls. The “outer market”  is a mixture of wholesale and retail shops that sell Japanese kitchen tools, restaurant supplies, groceries, and seafood, and many restaurants, especially sushi restaurants. Most of the shops in the outer market close by the early afternoon, and in the inner market even earlier.       

Please click on Google + to help my page ranking.  

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market 

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

The Tokyo Fish market handles more than 400 different types of seafood from cheap seaweed to the most expensive caviar, and from tiny sardines to 300 kg tuna and controversial whale species. Overall, more than 700,000 metric tons of seafood are handled every year at the three seafood markets in Tokyo, with a total value in excess of 600 billion yen (approximately 5.9 billion US dollars on November 24th, 2013). The number of registered employees as of 25 January 2010 varies from 60,000 to 65,000, including wholesalers, accountants, auctioneers, company officials, and distributors.

Here’s looking at you kid.

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

Tokyo Fish market opens most mornings (except Sundays, holidays and some Wednesdays) at 3:00 a.m. with the arrival of the products by ship, truck and plane from all over the world. Particularly impressive is the unloading of tons of frozen tuna. The auction houses (wholesalers known in Japanese as oroshi gyōsha) then estimate the value and prepare the incoming products for the auctions. The buyers (licensed to participate in the auctions) also inspect the fish to estimate which fish they would like to bid for and at which price.

The auctions start around 5:20 a.m. Bidding can only be done by licensed participants. These bidders include intermediate wholesalers (nakaoroshi gyōsha) who operate stalls in the marketplace and other licensed buyers who are agents for restaurants, food processing companies, and large retailers.

The auctions usually end around 7:00 a.m. Afterward, the purchased fish is either loaded onto trucks to be shipped to the next destination or on small carts and moved to the many shops inside the market. There the shop owners cut and prepare the products for retail. In case of large fish, for example tuna and swordfish, cutting and preparation is elaborate. Frozen tuna and swordfish are often cut with large band saws, and fresh tuna is carved with extremely long knives, some well over a meter in length.

Giant tuna fetches more than US$600,000 at Tokyo auction

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

Without a doubt AGODA is the best online Hotel booking site.

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market Tokyo

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

Sushizanmai is my  favourite sushi restaurant in Tokyo is very close to the old Tokyo Fish market & open 24 hours a day. There is always a queue of people waiting to get in.

Tuna fetches record $3m at Tokyo auction January 5 2019

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

A 278-kilogramme bluefin tuna sold for a record 333.6 million yen (US$3 million) in the first auction of 2019 on Saturday, after Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji market was moved to a new site on the city’s waterfront.

The winning bid for the prized but threatened species at the predawn auction was more than double the old mark set in 2013. It was paid by Kiyomura Corp, whose owner Kiyoshi Kimura runs the Sushi Zanmai chain. Kimura has often won the annual auction in the past.

Last year’s auction was the last at Tsukiji before the market shifted to a new facility on a former gas plant site on Tokyo Bay. The move was delayed repeatedly due to concerns over soil contamination. However it has now relocated.

The Toyosu Market is a wholesale market in Tokyo, located in the Toyosu area of the Kōtō ward. There are two markets for seafood, one for general wholesale and one for bidding and one market for fruits and vegetables, with each in their own buildings. 

One of the happy chefs

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

This is the best sushi in the world.

Two of the happy customers

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market Tokyo

My friend Hamish was really enjoying his first trip to Tokyo in September 2015, he was blown away by the quality and price at Sushizanmai.        

Sushizanmai has the best quality sushi in the world at a reasonable price.

Tsujiki wholesale Fish market

The Sushizanmai in Tokyo is an experience to enjoy and remember. If you want a quiet romantic setting cross this place off your list. It is a happy frenetic chaotic dining experience, and the food is wonderful. Check out this video to experience the atmosphere. It’s now October 2018 & the market finally closes.

Fantastic chaotic Sushi restaurant in Tokyo.

Thanks for visiting my Tsujiki wholesale Fish market Tokyo photo blog.
 
 

Please click here for some more interesting photos of Tokyo.

 

Tokyo is a great city

 

A very quaint Tokyo Street

           

   Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
f59e958e-8eaf-48b4-8e96-c291a0c13d1a        f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4        a6a948cd-f30a-49ea-a905-82be4d202cc9
           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
2246c6cf-5fa6-4fbe-ac30-b569253ad2a6        f65d714b-f44c-4b2e-9505-3511ebecbb80        4e82052a-24d0-41e1-ab84-10e8f27634d1
 
            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                                            d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037            01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 
Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck


Fukuoka Hiroshima Sapporo Sendai

Tokyo Kagoshima Kanazawa Nagoya

Nagasaki Yokohama Kyoto Kamakura

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

August 24, 2013 by David Herd

Fabulous Kyoto

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan, originally developed in the Middle Ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine. The district was built to accommodate the needs of travellers and visitors to the shrine. It eventually evolved to become one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan.

Gion shop

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

A great window display.

Wonderful Japanese garden in Kyoto

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

In my eyes this is perfection.

The magnificent Kinkakuju temple.

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu’s grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.

Hanami-koj St Gion.

fd216f3b-5756-45a4-8f35-6792102ce04c

Part of the Gion district has been declared a national historical preservation district. Recently, the City of Kyoto completed a project to restore the streets of Gion, which included such plans as moving all overhead utilities underground as part of the ongoing effort to preserve the original beauty of Gion.

Gion

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

Gion is my favourite part of Kyoto.

Nijo Castle.

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan
The castle is an excellent example of social control manifested in architectural space. Low-ranking visitors were received in the outer regions of the Ninomaru, whereas high-ranking visitors were shown the more subtle inner chambers. Rather than attempt to conceal the entrances to the rooms for bodyguards (as was done in many castles), the Tokugawas chose to display them prominently. Thus, the construction lent itself to expressing intimidation and power to Edo-period visitors. The building houses several different reception chambers, offices and the living quarters of the shogun, where only female attendants were allowed. One of the most striking features of the Ninomaru Palace are the “nightingale floors” (uguisubari) in the corridors. To protect the occupants from sneak attacks and assassins, the builders constructed the floors of the corridors in such a way as to squeak like birds when anyone walks on them.

Check out the Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple.

So many wonderful restaurants in Gion.

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

Good food & beautiful faces, what more could you ask for?

 Jyuunidanya restaurant in Gion

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

Probably has not changed for hundreds of years.

Kyoto Tower

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

Kyoto’s iconic landmark is a very convenient place to stay, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 Kyoto railway station

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto

Best station I have ever seen.

Japan is full of surprises

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

In this country there is the ancient & the new. 🙂

  A beautiful Japanese lady

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

This is Ake and she provided me with a real surprise. It was a wet Monday evening so I found a small bar to enjoy a few drinks and a light dinner. An hour or so later Aki came in with 2 of her friends, they all said hello to me and joined me at the bar. After a couple more drinks they invited me to join them at another bar where they were meeting friends. I said “please wait a minute while I pay my bill here”, Ake said “don’t worry I have already paid it”.  You could have knocked me over with a feather, so off we went and the night got better and better. 🙂

Aki’s friends Jun and Alice

Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto Japan

  It’s always great meeting the locals. 🙂

My 3rd visit in 2018

Gion Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district

Certainly one of my favourite cities in Japan.

Make sure you visit the Pontocho Entertainment District 

Thanks for visiting my Gion Temples Geishas Kyoto photo blog.

                             Here are some more posts to check out 

           

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe Hungarian Parliament Building (2) The Walkie Talkie (5)   

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837 IMG_7425 Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam Main Square (3) Vung Tau statue (6)

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

Click here to see another Japanese post

 

A very quaint Tokyo street

 

You gotta love the Ginza

 



Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Tokyo food fashion style

July 29, 2013 by David Herd

Tokyo food fashion style

Tokyo food fashion style

Tokyo food fashion style, my first trip to Japan was April 2007, I loved it so much I went back in December the same year. As I said Tokyo is a great city for food and Japanese was always my favourite cuisine before I ever came to the country, and now that I have experienced the best Tokyo has to offer it will certainly remain my favourite food.

For great hotel deals book here and choose to either pay now, or pay later when you check out.

One square meter of land in the Ginza center is worth more than ten million yen (more than 100,000 US dollars), making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan. It is where you can find the infamous $10 cups of coffee and where virtually every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics has a presence. Ginza is named after the silver-coin mint established there in 1612 during the Edo period. Modern Ginza began in 1872 when, after a devastating fire, the district was rebuilt with two- and three-story Georgian brick buildings designed by the English architect Thomas Waters, along with a shopping promenade on the street from the Shinbashi bridge to the Kyōbashi bridge in the southwestern part of Chūō Ward. Most of these European-style buildings are gone, but some older buildings are still there, most famously the Wakō building with its clock tower.

The Ginza in Tokyo 

Tokyo food fashion style

Popular opinion states Tokyo is an expensive city but I tend to disagree, I believe 20 years ago it was, however the prices seem to have remained at the same level it was back then. For instance a coffee in one of the popular chains is under $3, as is a delicious ham & lettuce sandwich. My hotel was only $100 per night, 10 minutes walk from the Ginza. Of course if you wish to can stay in a 5 star hotel and dine on Kobe beef every night and it will cost you a fortune, similar to London or New York. I eat in the fantastic little traditional cafes & restaurants where the prices are very reasonable.

The wonderful Harajuku girls gather every Sunday morning.

  Tokyo great city food fashion style       Tokyo food fashion style 

Harajuku style originated among teens on the streets near Harajuku Station in Shibuya, Japan. It may have been brought to many people’s attention by American singer Gwen Stefani, but the evolution of the style certainly didn’t begin with her and it certainly won’t end with her. Like many “street fashions” it is difficult to characterize because it is constantly changing and because it has many manifestations. 

I believe Tokyo is the food capital of the world.

Tokyo food fashion style 

To me Tokyo is all about food, food and more food, interestingly the Michelin guide has Tokyo comfortably ahead of Paris (10 three-starred restaurants), New York (7) and London (2), with a total of 350 establishments making it into the guide this time around. Six new places were awarded two stars, a couple of them – French restaurant Esquisse and the Japanese-style Ginza Okamoto. Tokyo is without a doubt the fine food capital of the world.

Fresh Tuna at Tsukiji market

Tokyo food fashion style 

The Tokyo great city Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as the Tsukiji Market (築地市場 Tsukiji shijō?), is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. The market is located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and is a major attraction for foreign visitors.

Tsukiji Market in Tokyo great city

Tokyo food fashion style 

You really need to arrive here around 5 am.

Crossing the road like ants at Shibuya.

Tokyo food fashion style

The name “Shibuya” is also used to refer to the shopping district which surrounds Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo’s busiest railway stations. This area is known as one of the fashion centres of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area.

I often stay at the Granbell Hotel in Shibuya, great location 200 meters from the station. Use this link to book and receive a great rate.

Shibuya at dusk.

Tokyo food fashion style 

Certainly one of the best districts in Tokyo.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo food fashion style 

Tokyo Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda area of Tokyo close to Tokyo Station and contains several buildings including the main palace,  the private residences of the imperial family, an archive, museum and administrative offices. It is built on the site of the old Edo castle. The total area including the gardens is 3.41 square kilometres (1.32 sq mi). During the height of the 1980s Japanese property bubble, the palace grounds were valued by some as more than the value of all the real estate in the state of California.

A traditional Japanese tea room near the Ginza

Tokyo food fashion style 

Sometimes you can be lucky enough to capture a perfect Japanese moment.

Welcome to Shabuzen at the Ginza.

Tokyo food fashion style 

A fabulous Ginza restaurant.

Kobe beef at Shabuzen, expensive but magnificent.

Tokyo food fashion style 

Best to go at lunchtime for a lower price.

David herd & the Thomsons at Shabuzen in the Ginza.

Tokyo food fashion style 

My good friends from Australia Phil & Junko love the Kobe Beef at Shabuzen. I was very lucky to be shown around Tokyo great city with Phil & Junko acting as my guides.

A beautiful Japanese wedding at Harajuku.

Tokyo food fashion style 

Another perfect Japanese moment.

Tokyo food fashion style, Togo Shrine

Tokyo food fashion style 

This seems to be a very popular wedding venue. The shrine is dedicated to Admiral Togo, famous for defeating the Russian fleet when they fought the Russo-Japanese War way back in 1905.

Bride & groom

Tokyo food fashion style 

A truly beautiful traditional Japanese wedding, I was so pleased to witness this delightful event.

Sushizanmai, my favorite Tokyo restaurant, chaotic & crazy.

Tokyo food fashion style 

Forget all the Michelin starred restaurants, my all time favorite is the Sushizanmai near the Tsukiji fish market. Dining here is pure theater and fun, 3 floors and open 24 hours a day. The ground floor is the place to be, but be prepared to wait in a queue for up to 45 minutes. Believe me however it is worth the wait. The food is fabulous and the atmosphere chaotic, 6 chefs work furiously to feed the hungry patrons in between shouting weird welcome cries each time someone enters or leaves the establishment. If you are looking for a romantic setting to propose to your sweetheart, cross this place off your list. If great sushi and organised chaos is what you enjoy then get on the end of the queue and wait your turn. Situated near the Tsukiji markets it is fast cheap and fabulous.

Here we are again

Tokyo food fashion style 

Hamish Elton & I enjoyed another wonderful meal in September 2015, still as great as ever. A few days later I also had dinner at the Osaka branch with also was excellent.

I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.

Happy chef at Sushizanmai

Tokyo Towers Temples Skyscrapers 

located almost next door the the world famous Tsukiji fish market where their produce is sourced daily,  guarantees what they serve is as fresh and you will ever experience anywhere on the planet. 


To prove my point  check out a video of the chaos.

Fantastic chaotic Sushi restaurant in Tokyo.

x

                      Super travel tips. From the airport take the limousine bus, by far the best value. I catch to bus to Tokyo station then take a taxi to my hotel, taxis are not expensive in Tokyo and like everything else in the city they are spotless. Super value hotel. I stay at the  Higashi Ginza Toku, however they have hotels in other locations as well. For the best hotel deals book here and choose to either pay now, or later when you check out. Super sushi. At Sushizanmai 4-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. 81-(0)3-3541-1117

  Thanks for visiting my blog on Tokyo, What a great city it is . Please send my link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/  

                       Thanks for visiting my Tokyo great city food fashion style photo blog.

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)        The Walkie Talkie (5)     

Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                   43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425     Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                      

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)      Vung Tau statue (6)

 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Here is my visit to Tokyo in February 2014

 

A very quaint Tokyo Street

 

Fabulous Sky Bar in HCM City.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos