Sushi and Flamenco

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Having woken earlier than planned is decided to head out to the Tsujiki Fish Market. The fish market is a phenominal place which assaults all of the senses. Lorrys drive in and out, motorised carts scoot around with little or no regard for the safety of anyone nearby. The inner market is stall upon stall of fish and seafood - dead, alive, whole, filleted, fresh, frozen or preserved. The floor is wet with water, ice and blood. The central market is surrounded by a peripheral market which sells vegetables, knives, teas, condiments and so on, and is far less hectic. I took the time to sample some green tea with a couple of Japanese. The conversation was slow to say the least, and can be summed up with "Ingrish?Weeeverpool?Bweeeetles!Boom boom!". Having left the beatles fanatics I decided to go to one of the markets many sushi bars to try some market fresh sushi. I was lucky enough to find a bar with an English speaking chef, and as he prepared my meal before my eyes he told me his view on foreigners eating sushi. "foreigners use too much soy - all you can taste is that. Us Japanese - we put a little soy only on the fish side - we never let it touch the rice. This way we get the four distinct flavours - fish, soy, wasabi and rice, and they only mix in our mouth.

foreigners use too much soy - all you can taste is that.

The sushi was fantastic, and was served with green tea and Arajiru, a fish stock soup. The sushi I had was: Tuna, Swordfish, Squid, Salmon, Shrimp, Horse Mackerel, Salmon Roe, Campion(?). I have decided while I am in Japan I will have to try at least one of every type of sushi. I thing scallop will have to be the next.

After the market I headed up to Shinjuku, which is the district in Tokyo where streetside TVs blare out, huge arcades line the bustling roads and there are row after row of electronics shops. Neon is floor to well... much higher than ceiling and girls in huge jackets give out packets of toilet paper - apparantly and acceptable form of advertising. West Shinjuku houses the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building - at twin topped tower with a viewing platform on the 45th floor which rewards you with a breathtaking cityscape. During the day you can often see Mt Fuji, but in the dark the city itself is far more interesting with tower blocks lights and neon signs providing the vista. In the North of Shinjuku is the Golden Gai area - a network of alleyways lined with bars most of which seat only 10 people or less. It was here that I ran across a Flamenco bar and in it a number of new friends, from a Japanese Spanish Music Superstar (as in he was Spanish, but a star in Japan) to a number of locals just out enjoying the music. I make it sound like a lot, but in fact there were only 7 people in there in total. And Spanish was the langauge of the night, making it a lot easier than speaking Japanese."Uno Mas Cerveza Por Favour...!"

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Photos

The Tsujiki Fish Market
An out of this world place for the fish and seafood lover. A hell for the squemish.

Shinjuku by night
A surreal land of neon and noise.

Flamenco
Jack if he was Japanese, and could play flamenco. A.k.A a pissed bloke with a guitar.

Comments

[anonymous]

Japan sounds...exciting
sounds like you are having a great time already. I on the other hand only have your mum as my guitaring partner and she's refusing to play. I'll have to get together with the Brown boys and James. He's an honourary Brown boy till you get back. Soon teach him how to drink and sing Scottish folk songs. That'll let mum off the hook Luv Dad xx

[anonymous]

it's Tsukiji