Japan - Tokyo - Okinawa | My travel report: The Tsukiji Market, Senso-ji Temple and tasty Wagyu

Hallo Steemians,

Two years ago I was in Japan with my family for 14 days. My in-laws were there, too. My father-in-law comes from Russia and did his military service in Vladivostok, since then he dreams of visiting Japan. For him, it was a long dream come true. And for us it was such a nice experience that we definitely want to go there again. Already for the reason that we only looked at Tokyo, a little surrounding area and Okinawa, the country has so much more to offer. It is very clean and really beautiful, the Japanese are friendly and very disciplined and I would like to bring you closer to a small series of different places we have visited there and wish you a lot of fun.

All pictures are of course clickable and will be enlarged.

Foreword

Our sixth day of travel will again take place in Tokyo City. Today we go to the biggest fish market in the world and of course we didn't miss the opportunity to try super fresh sushi right there. Since we were already on site at 9 o'clock then we have looked at the fish market was the Sushi quasi our breakfast. Afterwards we go to one of the most important temples in the middle of Tokyo, where we first have to go through a really long shopping street to get there. Last but not least we visited a Yakiniku restaurant and had very tasty Wagyu served.

The Tsukiji Market, Senso-ji Temple and delicious Wagyu!

The Tsukiji Market (fishmarket)

The Tsukiji Market is the world's largest fish market and I can tell you here you can find everything that crawls and flees in the sea. Unfortunately, the market has only been open to tourists for a few years now from 9:30 a.m. and most fishermen close their small plots at 10 a.m.. Nevertheless, we still saw some strange things and also some tunas which are the highlight here on the market. These are delivered between 5-6 o'clock in the morning and then traded at a very confusing auction, so I read it. It is possible to attend this auction but you have to register days in advance. And with two kids in a great mood at 5 o'clock in the morning we saved it.

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The plan of the market on which it is also well to see that there is here not only fish but also vegetables and fruit, from there it is not really a pure fish market as often the tourists assume. With the small scooters on the 2nd picture, the workers on the market shred around in no time at all, of course via electric drive.

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On the market itself we could still admire frozen tuna and one sees quite well that also after the actual Rush Hour still so much is loose.

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Here are a few locals in full action, basically it's rather rough on the market, you should get out of the way quickly when the workers are walking around.

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From squid to mussels there is really a lot to admire here. The eels you see here are prepared in many restaurants in Tokyo. They are special restaurants that only offer eel and nothing else. We just didn't go to such a place for the children, but the next time we visit Japan we will make up for it, because it should taste fantastic.

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On the way to the sushi restaurant we met these sea spiders, where my little daughter was really scared, but everything was not so bad.

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Fresh sushi directly at the fishing harbour, what's better and if you're here you should also try something unusual. Here you could watch the sushi master himself at work. By the way, dipping the rice of sushi in soy sauce is a NO GO, you only do that with the fish side, if at all, so you have to be a bit clever with the chopsticks.

Senso-ji Tempel

Tokyo's oldest and most important Buddhist temple is only a few meters away from Asakusa Metro Station and is definitely a must for anyone who visits Tokyo. Clearly the temple with this central location is overcrowded by tourists, but nevertheless we could move freely without difficulties. The temple has existed since 645 and the shops that line the way to the temple are parts and tradition of the temple. Here we experienced for the first time in our vacation a place rain which really has it in itself. The large containers next to the temple entrance were filled within a very short time, as you will see in the pictures.

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As soon as you have crossed the first gate to the temple from Asakusa Metro you can see the souvenir mile and the temple behind it, which only gives you an idea of how big the whole complex actually is.

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At every gate to the temple you will find the Chōchin, the traditional Japanese lanterns like here. These are decorated on the underside with very beautiful woodcarvings.

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On the way to the temple we see Japanese in traditional costumes and kimonos, but weird ones like this ninja here on the third picture, who earns his money as street maintenance here.

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Now at the shrine itself it has already rained a little. The Japanese clean themselves with water and smoke at the entrance of the shrine, the latter is supposed to clean the lungs of all evil. As expected, most people crowded around the inner area of the shrine. It was very interesting to see the accuracy of people's movements when they pray for their faith. Here, too, you simply feel the precision of this people.

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And then it really rained out of all the clouds, as I already mentioned, the big goblet was filled within seconds. When we stayed at the shrine we got into conversation with other Germans who come to Japan every year, so every storm has its good weather.

Our first time Yakiniku

We were very much looking forward to the meat in Japan and we were not disappointed. At this meal you get a small gas grill on the table, sometimes they are also integrated in the table and in addition a small hood so that the air does not smell like in a kitchen. Yes, the Japanese really think of everything. We ordered a mixed Wagyu plate with different pieces of meat. It was a wonderfully tender dream.

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Of all Wagyu pieces something, that's what we wanted and got. However, it has to be said that this plate costs 80 Euro.

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Here the meat sizzles nicely on the small gas grill, later in our vacation we ate Yakiniku again on Okinawa and there it was again a tick better, above all however from the ambience. I hope you enjoyed the little excursion and hope you will be there again on day seven!

Thanks for reading my little report.

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Photos: Made by me! © 2018
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