Our next day in Tokyo included Tsukiji Fish Market followed by a short hop over to Ginza for sushi then off to Asakusa for Kaminarimon and Sensoji Temple.
TSUKIJI FISH MARKETAfter hopping off the Metro, it wasn't too hard to wander off and know that you are in the market. We were greeted with a huge crowd of people wandering through the outer market!
Single file line please!Tsukiji Fish Market is separated into an inner and outer market. The inner market is the site of the famous
tuna auctions but that requires you to arrive hours before the crack of dawn to wait. There is a cap of people they allow into the auctions.
One of my favorite parts of the outer market is the snack stands! In particular, I love getting a block of tamago (egg omelette) and nibbling at it while exploring. We were able to find a stand and watch someone making these omelettes!
Truly amazing to see it go from this...
Into this! And only for 100 Yen!Here's a couple of the pics I grabbed two years ago from parts of the market:
GINZA & SUSHI FOR LUNCHBeing situated pretty closely together, we decided to walk over from Tsukiji to Ginza/our lunch spot. It took about 10-15 minutes. With some recommendation from friends, we chose to have lunch at
Umegaoka Sushi no Midori. I know it's blasphemous to go to Tsukiji and NOT get sushi there, but the lines (like the crowds) were ridiculous for places like Sushi Daiwa.
We arrived around 30 minutes after the restaurant opened and there was quite a crowd already staked out already. After what seemed like an eternity, we were beckoned inside. And the magic started..
Sitting at the sushi counter for front line sushi actionWe ended up ordering sushi sets/platters which cost 2800Y each (~$25USD at the time) and it was quite a steal and great bang for our buck! Just enjoy the pics.
Not for the empty of stomach
Starter salad with delicious chawan mushi - steamed egg custard
Sushi platter with the BEST unagi (eel) I've ever had
For dessert, a seasonal house-made ice creamASAKUSAAfter stuffing my face with more sushi than I care to count, it was time to walk off some of that delicious meal. Next stop was heading to Asakusa for the famous Sensoji Temple. The temple are was quite crowded. It is one of Tokyo's most popular temples afterall.
Enjoy the pics!
Crowds of people in front of the main worship hall
Bathing myself in the incense smoke, hoping for some good fortune/luck
Chouchin - Japanese good luck lanterns
No trip to Japan is complete without lots of soft cream! Here's vanilla & matcha flavor
Some of trinkets you can find at Nakamise - the line of shops that lead up to Sensoji TempleAfter finishing our rounds at Sensoji, we hopped over to the
Asakusa Tourist Information Center, which has an
open-air observation deck and cafe on the top floor. And
it’s free! You are able to get some amazing views of Sensoji as well as the
rest of Tokyo!
Somewhat aerial view of Kaminarimon > Nakamise > Sensoji Temple
Panoramic views of Asakusa, Tokyo and beyond!That wraps up another day in Tokyo. Our next day would remind me of the real reason I came to Tokyo this trip,
cherry blossoms! We finish our time in Tokyo with an extended visit to
Shinjuku Gyoen for sakura and so much more!
Full post can be found
HERE