Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest wholesale fish market in Japan, probably the world. It goes through something like 2,000 tons of seafood everyday it's open. Anything that is even potentially edible from the ocean can be found here. Most people, including ourselves, came to see the tuna or maguro for sale. Incredibly large maguro, some over 500 lbs, are auctioned off every morning. The Japanese are known for their love of quality items and their willingness to pay top dollar. With that in mind it should be no surprise that the most expensive maguro ever sold at Tsukiji was something like $175,000 American for a 202-kilogram fish. Miles and Kurt pose in front of a huge maguro. 
One of the first things Nadine and I noticed about Tsukiji before even looking at the fish, was that this is a working fish market. There are very few, if any, considerations made for tourists. Trucks, cars and propane powered "put-put" carts zoom almost recklessly amid narrow aisles and roadways. Fourteen people trying to traverse these small fish stalls was just asking for trouble. There were a few close calls amongst our group but luckily no one got hurt. However, my wife was so upset over how dangerous it was that she vows never to return to Tsukiji again.
I had to include a picture of the Styrofoam mountain I saw while leaving Tsukiji. Almost all of the seafood at Tsukiji is kept and transported in Styrofoam containers of all shape and sizes. As the day goes on, used containers are all thrown into this huge mountain. When we left Tsukiji it was still early and the mound had already grown this large. One can only imagine what this looks like at the end of the day. My understanding is that all of this is melted down at the end of the day. Anyway, it makes for an interesting picture.
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