Japan Day 2

Today we started our day by going to the Tsukiji fish markets. If you line up at 3am, you can go in at 5am and watch the famous fish auction. We were a bit knackered from the previous day so decided to have a later start.

It's business as usual at the markets as workers sort and pack fish

The Tsukiji markets are about a 20min walk from our hotel in Ginza-Itchome. We didn't venture much into the inner markets which I am told are a bit wet but we walked around the outer markets. 

Some stalls sell pottery dishes which I loved!

The outer markets have rows of stalls. Some sell little souvenirs related to cooking, others sell food from a counter and others have limited seating inside and you can sit and eat there. Most of the eat in stalls sell fresh seafood, sashimi and sushi.

Dave and I wandered around for a bit whilst Marika attended a cooking course. If I'm lucky, I may be able to get her to guest blog her cooking experience... Stay tuned!

The outer market has rows of stall selling food and cooking paraphernalia

We didn't get to go in and try any restaurants. But the time we thought we might, there were a lot of people around. The tour buses with the PRC's must have pulled up because suddenly there were lots of people rushing around, pushing everywhere and there were massive lines outside the food shops.

Lines of people

People line up outside the food stalls because there is not much seating space inside. 

We didn't go in but it looks like people are in and out quickly because they serve raw fish over rice and there is not much cooking involved.

Inside a little eatery in the outer market

This shop was less busy and there was nobody waiting outside so I was able to take a photo. Looks like only 10-12 people can eat inside at any one time.

After Tsukiji we decided to visit Asakusa. There is an app called "Trip Advisor". It has one section of suggested itineraries. We decided to do the one that was a walking tour of the Asakusa area. We got of the train at Tawaramachi and the walking tour was to take us through Kappabashi (Kitchen Town). Walking towards Asakusa you could see a giant chef on the top of a building. The store is called Nimmi and is a massive kitchenware store... If you like cooking or baking then it's one store to visit. Most of the things at Nimmi are manufactured goods.

This pottery store caught my interest a bit more. I managed to buy a beautiful serving plate from here. I loved looking at the Japanese pottery. The patterns and designs were so beautiful and the price was reasonable.

Walking further down the street, there were lots and lots of kitchenware shops. Poor Dave had to be patient with two foodies wanting to go into every single store. I really liked the cute and quirky too such as the sushi boat cars and piggy mozzie coil holders...

These pig mozzie coil holders were sooo cute!!

After much shopping in the Kappabashi region, we finally made it to Asakusa and had a look at the Sensoji temple. It was built in 645 and is Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. 

The area smells like incense. I like the architecture but don't know much about temple practises. 

Group photo from the inside of the Sensoji gate

Outside the gate, there were lots and lots of stores selling all kinds of cakes, food and souvenirs. There were a lot of people around as this is a popular tourist attraction. 

Lot of people and stalls selling a large variety of things