06/13/2024
Hello. We’re still in Tokyo as there is so much to see and do. This morning we visited the bustling Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, where some 450 kinds of fish are received, haggled over and sold 24 hours a day. Our first stop in the market area was at a cooking school where the goal was to learn to make our own sushi. We broke into three small groups and went with individual guides through the market area in a climate controlled building to see what was available. We were instructed not to take pictures inside the building, but that in the outside market area we could take pictures if we asked permission of the vendor. This fish market was far different than the one we saw recently in Cape Verde. It was vey clean, and some of the fresh fish was pre-packaged with plastic wrap which made the smell more bearable. There were many gross looking things on offer along with the more recognizable fish and shellfish. Each group selected some items to include in our sushi, and we made our way back to the cooking venue. A good time was had by all as we learned the basics of sushi making. The most important thing seemed to be the hot rice which is enhanced with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. It must be handled precisely to achieve just the right stickiness required for making sushi. After careful mixing, the chef used a handheld fan to cool it and make it turn shiny. The chef who prepared our food today is 35 years old and has 18 years of cooking experience. He said he had 3 years of training just to learn to make sushi rice. Who knew? Some sushi ingredients used today were salmon, shrimp, scallops, and tuna. Those folks who didn’t want raw fish, used carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and peppers for their sushi rolls.
After eating our creations, we got back on the bus and headed to Akihabara, one of the best known places throughout Japan for electronics, as well as figures and toys from anime, manga, and games. The young folks took a walk to find the anime stores while the older set spent their time in a giant department store that had a wide variety of items on offer spread out over 9 floors. It was a bit overwhelming, and you would definitely have to ask for assistance if there was something in particular you wanted. The first two items that Cindy looked at were clearly marked, “made in the USA.” Buy American is a great idea, but we didn’t know they practiced that in Japan.
Our tour guide has made sure to inform us of local customs so that we do not commit too many faux pas. Regarding market shopping, we were told that you may not touch the products and you do not negotiate the price. The shop owners are considered experts that know their product and know how to price it according to the quality on offer. If you should happen to purchase ready to eat food, you should not walk and eat at the same time as it is considered rude. You must stand still outside the vendor’s establishment while eating, and then you must take your trash inside for disposal or take it home with you. We have seen no litter on the street, but we did see a neatly wrapped parcel of garbage ready for pickup with a prepaid garbage disposal ticket affixed. We have been impressed with how clean and neat the people are. The majority of people we see are dressed in black and white or neutral colors, and their clothes are well fitted. The city is also clean and neat, and you do not see dirty cars. Car drivers usually wipe down their cars with cloths before starting out for the day. Our guide explained that the gods love cleanliness, so keeping everything clean is a way to honor and respect their 8 million gods. I’ve always heard that “cleanliness is next to Godliness,” and they certainly seem to practice that in Japan. Wish you were here!
