Rajeev's World: A Wonderland Called Tsukiji... Part II

Our journey in this wonderland called Tsukiji continues as we made our way from the jōgai-shijō to the jōnai-shijō...

The jōnai-shijō or the inner market is home to fish, fruit and vegetable wholesalers. The inner market is well known for its tuna auctions that take place early in the morning. To witness the auctions, visitors real early in the morning, going back to as early as 2 AM. At 5 AM, a group of 120 visitors are let in, on a first-come, first-serve basis. A first group of 60 visitors is admitted to the auction between 5:50 and 6:05, while a second group of 60 visitors is admitted between 6:05 and 6:20. Visitors who make it in are able to view the auction from a designated visitor area. It is not allowed to view the auction from anywhere else or to use flash photography or to interfere with the business action in any other way.

When we got in, it was past 10 AM, and the market closes by 11 - we did get a chance to roam around and check out the stuff on sale...

Puffer fish hangs from the ceiling...

Fugu, as the Japanese call the pufferfish, is notorious for the highly toxic poison—tetrodotoxin—contained in its organs. Despite its deadly potential, fugu is considered as a delicacy and has been eaten in Japan for hundreds of years. As it was initially unknown how to properly prepare the fish, there were many fatalities from fugu consumption, resulting in a ban on the fish that lasted from around 1570 to 1870. These days fugu is commonly available in restaurants and supermarkets throughout Japan, but must be prepared by a licensed chef, who have have to train for over 11 years.It is prohibited to prepare fugu in the home even today, and the Japanese royal family is forbidden from eating it. It is said that fugu has a distinct, subtle flavor and unique chewy texture, it is also low in fat and high in protein.