Tsukiji Fish Market, Tsutaya Books

Romana and I spent three days in Tokyo. We explored the Shinjuku area and met up with a friend for beers, spent a day in Koto City at an onsen complex, and visited Tsukiji Fish Market. Food was eaten and fun was had!

Day 3 of our three-day trip to Tokyo

On our last day, we went to the Ginza area and visited the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the fabulous Tsutaya Bookstore, then wandered around Ueno Park before heading to the airport.

Tsukiji Fish Market

We used the subway to get to Ginza Station, then walked to Tsukiji Fish Market. It’s quite a daunting place to visit on account of its size, plus the many signs which show that the stall owners probably have a love/hate relationships with all the tourists. Of course we wanted to eat, but weren’t super happy with the prices; I think the expectation is market = cheap. Not so much here, but then why would it be with such a high reputation for quality and fun! We wandered through the many alleys inside and out. It was fun just looking and was much like similar markets in Seoul but quite a bit bigger.

On the outside edge we stopped at a tiny beer place to rest up and make a final decision on where to eat.

Romana was doing the online research and found some recommendations for a reasonably priced counter restaurant in an inside alley. We sat at a counter and chose our lunch using pictures and Romana’s Japanese knowledge. It was delicious.

Tsutaya Books

After the market, Romana wanted to visit a well-known bookstore in the area. On the way we walked past a lot of impressive fancy high-rise buildings with big expensive names on them. And in the middle of this street was the biggest Uniqlo I’ve ever seen!

The bookstore was immense, many floors and sections. It was similar to the large Kyobo bookstores in Korea which seem to sell many kinds of items, the kind of place you can easily waste and afternoon in (in a good way). There, I found the graphic novel section and was pleased to see a whole shelf of Akira books; still selling strong I see. Also was a HUGE David Hockney book; a couple of thousand pound. That included delivery and the wooden easel/stand it was on!

There was also a Starbucks inside; a seat at a six person table there was something like $15.00 an hour. We just sat at the counter.

Ueno Park and Pond

The last leg of our Tokyo journey was the train ride to the airport. With an hour or so to kill, we grabbed a beer and walked around Ueno Park and the pond. It was very pleasant in the evening sun.