Japan Photo of the Week: Tsukiji Samurai
Back in March, I decided I should try and head over to Tsukiji Fish Market before they tried to shut down some of the early morning access for tourists. I learned a few things from going. The first being that cutting fish can be really graceful, like this guy was making it with his knife/sword/katana/saw or whatever it is!
Here are the other things I learned:
- Tsukiji is interesting.
- Tuna are big.
- Seafood is gross.
- Tourists are in the way.
Yes Tsukiji was really cool, but after going, I realized in fact, Tsukiji is a workplace, and no matter how much the tourists try to follow the rules, we are in their way and sometimes preventing or delaying them from doing their job. Also, it is not exactly a safe place, with everyone in a hurry and driving these mini reverse forklift type cars around narrow alleyways, sometimes while using there cell phone! Actually, what I think Tsukiji should do is take advantage of the fact that so many tourists want to visit this place, charge everyone an entrance fee, and build a really cool observing room over the auction floors.
Apparently they were going to start restrictions for tourists from April 1st, 2008. Restrictions being that one can only enter during a certain time and watch from a certain area. Anyone try to go to the auctions early in the morning since then? I am interested to know how strict they are being…
Anyway, check out the Japan Photo Guide for more information and photos about Tsukiji.
This photograph was taken by Evan Pike.
