Today is the last day of my second Japan trip and has shaped up to be one of my most memorable travel tales. I have had too many first-time experiences jam-packed into the day before even 9 AM. This is the story of how I ended up eating sushi for breakfast at the world-famous Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market.
It started the night before when I reviewed my last day itinerary in Tokyo: to fly back home and attend Tsukiji Market Tuna Auction.
The nice lady at the hotel informed me that the train would only start at 4:30 AM and if I don’t want to be late, I should take a taxi from the hotel to get to the fish market around the same time. So I woke up around 3 AM, took shower and head out for a taxi soon after.
I reached the market at 4 AM and 3,700 yen poorer, only to be notified that the tuna auction registration for the day has been closed.
Apparently, people started to queue from 2 AM. Which, I would have done exactly if only I had known! But, the website stated that the Tsukiji fish market tuna auction registration starts at 5 AM. Which was completely WRONG information!
Sleepless and Sushi Breakfast
Flabbergasted and sleep-deprived, I just stood there, in the middle of the buzzing market for some time, watching other tourists experience the same frustration. I wasn’t sure what else to do at that hour, going back to the hotel to catch up with sleep on my last day in Japan seemed like a sad option. That’s when I noticed people sneak further into the market, with some kind of map in their hand. I followed them, half hoping that there might be a secret passage to get into the Tsukiji fish market tuna auction arena. Instead, they stopped and formed a line in the street near an alley.
Apparently, it’s where you can have sushi breakfast starting as early as 5 AM, from some of the best Sushi restaurants in Tokyo. So I did just that, I qued in front of Sushi Dai. I made friends while waiting in the queue. Also, I had my first Omakase experience. Went back to the hotel, and collect my luggage, before catching the bus to Narita airport.
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