Tsukiji fish market is probably on all of – must-see attractions if you are in Tokyo for the first time – lists. If you want to try and see the tuna auction, you have to get up and be there insanely early, as only two groups of 60 people are allowed in. Basically, you have to be there first to go in. The closest metro to the market is Tsukiji station and one of the exists is directly in front of Tsusukiji Hongan-ji temple. A very non-japanese looking temple. That is because it was destroyed and rebuilt in Indian style.

If you walk further you’ll soon see lots of fishy reminders you are getting closer to the biggest fish market in the whole wide world.

It consists of the outer market, with lots of different stores selling lots of different snacks, sweets, sushi, knives, tea, dried everything you can take out of the sea and eat and restaurants selling more or less expensive sushi. It is meant for the public and is open from 5 am to around noon or early afternoon. If you are lucky you’ll get to see a chef from one of the restaurants chop off the head of a pretty big tuna.

There is also the huge wholesale area of the market, which is open to the public from 11 am on, so the tourists don’t interfere with the business. But the later you get there the more crowded, hot and touristic it gets. Some more info on Tsukiji here or at the tourist info center located in between the outer and inner market. The market is scheduled to move on 11.10. this year, so hurry up and visit it if you can.

My friend’s sister lives in Okinawa and we brought her an ex-Yugo package from home (Cedevita, Vegeta etc). 😀 We had to send it with Japanese post as we’re probably not going to Okinawa this time- I have my mind set on Ishigaki. The Japanese post is as effective as everything else in Japan and actually not expensive. You choose a box size and its weight doesn’t matter from what I’ve gathered. You can choose the time of day when you want the package delivered and you get everything to pack it (bubble wrap etc.) at the post office for free. I think we probably sent around 5kg for around 10€, which seems crazy cheap.

Next stop: Yakiniku lunch, and a little bit of how to do yakiniku here.

Yakiniku is not only a meal but an experience. You order raw ingredients and grill them yourself on a built-in grill. What is there not to love really? It can get pretty expensive at dinner time, but lunch menus are reasonably priced. There is sooo much different food to try in Japan, but this one is a must if you love meat.

Oh, we also moved to a new neighborhood – Asakusa (part of Taito) and are currently staying in Enaka Asakusa Central Hostel in the middle of it. Asakusa’s main attraction is Sensoji temple, but I am also loving the shopping vibe here, which does not happen that often. There are lots of mini old-school vibe shops on Nakamise Shopping Street, but they do close quite soon. Also, lots of kimono rentals, if you are into that.

Sensoji temple is btw Tokyo’s most famous and popular temple which means it is also quite busy even in the evenings. But its vibe is awesomely relaxed, like usually with Buddhist temples. You can try finding out your Omikuji paper fortune for 100 yen if you dare. Mine was so bad I sulked a little bit and then tied the slip to an iron rod at the temple. This action is called “kami wo musubu”. More about Sensoji fortunes here.

Strolling around Asakusa you can easily find yourself some Taiyaki – a fish-shaped pancake filled with bean jam fill or alternatively with sweet potato fill. Yp – I am on culinary duty, and my list of foods to try is really long. I am also really lucky, because here, basically, the whole neighborhood starts smelling really good come dinner time.

So if you love food, kimonos and cute little shops, then this neighborhood will not disappoint you. It has an amazing dinnertime atmosphere with great views of lit up Tokyo Skytree.