Tsukiji Kanno + Revisited Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo Winter 2016

Our first day in Tokyo and it was snowing and raining but that didn't stop us from braving below freezing temperatures. I just had to have my sashimi rice bowls in Tsukiji and nothing could stop me.  
No where else can one get this many varieties of sashimi to eat.
The sheer amount of choices can be overwhelming. 

We were on our way to the inner market thinking that with this cold weather 

it might deter people from going out. That way we might have a chance 
at securing a spot in one of those popular sushi joints. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

More forklifts, trucks, and scooters to dodge.

There was still a ridiculously long queue at Daiwa Sushi and Sushi Dai despite the poor weather. Although shorter as compared to what I've read. We were cold and hungry and just couldn't be bothered waiting anymore.

We ended up at Tsukiji Kanno which is located in the outer market. The sashimi bowls came with a steaming hot bowl of miso. The food was so comforting it warmed me to the bone. It was delicious, high quality and fresh all at a reasonable price. I wished I could have more but I was careful not to overeat. 

I also found out, they bid on tuna and other seafood at The Tsukiji Market 
and deliver them directly to the restaurant hence cutting down on costs.

You can choose to seat at the counter where you can be closer to the open kitchen or seat at regular tables. 
Of course, I chose counter.

Mid Fatty Tuna, Salmon Roe and Sea Urchin

Salmon Special

Low Fat Tuna, Salmon Roe and Sea Urchin

Eating freshly shucked huge oysters- always a mind blowing experience!

Huge oysters freshly shucked right before your eyes. Nom! Nom! Nom!

Grilled Scallops, Snow Crabs and Prawns!
I'm in heaven....

My favourite tamago shop in Tsukiji. 

Go ahead, try them for free!

 

High-quality steak with a lot of marbling!

Wasabi

Variety of authentic Japanese dinnerware.

Tsukiji Kanno Main Shop
4-9-5 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku
Menu
Access

Rokurinsha 六厘舍, Tokyo Skytree, Soramachi, Tokyo

Rokurinsha became quite popular after David Chang featured it in "The Mind of a Chef".
I've never tried tsukemen before and it got me really intrigued. 

We attempted to try it at their branch in Tokyo Ramen Street but it had a ridiculously long queue and we didn't want to wait. This time though we found a way to beat the hungry crowd! Yehey! We opted to try their branch in Tokyo Skytree. We arrived pretty early, there was no queue and we were all very hungry. You just need to order through the machine, choose the type of soup you want and add whatever side dishes that tickles your fancy. 

Then grab a seat and wait for your order to arrive.

Here's how to eat Tsukemen, the noodles are served separately from the broth

then dip the noodles into the broth and start slurping that delicious bowl of ramen!

 The soup is so rich and very flavourful. That was really satisfying. Nom!

You can choose to add these items to your order.
shrimp flavoured oil
salt-preserved seasoned bamboo shoots
shrimp-flavoured savoury red pepper
roasted pork fillet (char siu)

My Tsukemen with shrimp-flavoured oil & shrimp-flavoured savoury red pepper. 

That was very delicious.

The noodles and soft boiled egg were in one bowl and broth served separately in another bowl.

Rokurinsha

Webpage

1-1-2 Oshiage | 6F Tokyo Skytree Town Soramachi,  
Sumida 131-0045, Tokyo Prefecture

How to Watch Sumo Wrestling and Eat Sumo "Chanko" in Tokyo, Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumo Stadium)

We were lucky enough to be in Tokyo when the sumo tournament was on. 

   Tournaments in Tokyo are held each January, May and September.

It is definitely a fascinating cultural experience not to be missed. 

For those planning to watch, tickets go on sale approximately one month before the first day of competition.  

 I strongly recommend that you buy your tickets the second it goes on sale online because they sell out pretty quick. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

 Same-day tickets also the cheapest tickets available can only be purchased on the day at the stadium. 

Ticket sale starts at 8am at the box office at Ryogoku Kokugikan. 

I read some reviews that people start queuing as early as 5am. So plan accordingly.

There are three types of seats and they are as follow:

* Ringside Seats: closest to the ring, most expensive seats and difficult to get.

* Box Seats: On the first floor. Japanese-style box seats which seats maximum of four people. Tickets are sold per box whether you will occupy all seats or not.

* Balcony Seats: On the second floor. Western-style seats. Same-day ticket holders use an exclusive section of this.

Sumo matches start from 8.30am and ends at 6pm. Majority of the spectators show up between 2-4pm 

because this is when the top division wrestlers compete.

The tickets also allow you to exit and re-enter once in case you need to take a break 

or have lunch in a nearby restaurant.

 

  Another thing not to miss out on is a nice hot bowl of chankonabe.

It is a famous one-pot dish eaten in vast quantity by sumo wrestlers 

and there's nothing like a bowl of hearty, hot bowl of nabe to warm you up in this cold weather. 

Ryogoku is undoubtedly Japan's sumo town. You'll find plenty of restaurants specialising in chankonabe.

On my previous visit in Tokyo, we had dinner at Kappo Yoshiba Sumo Restaurant. 

I highly recommend it. Check it out the post here.

You'll know it's sumo season when you see these flags up.

It always pays to do some research. 

I'll share with you this little secret... located in the basement of the Sumo Stadium,
you can have authentic chankonabe for only 250 yen (as of January 2016).
 Really delicious and cheap.

Bowl full of yumminess! A must try in Tokyo. 

Ryogoku Kokugikan

webpage

1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan

Day 3 & 4- Tokyo Spring- Places Must Visit!

Sensō-ji also known as Asakusa Kannon is a very popular ancient Buddhist temple in Tokyo located in Asakusa.

 It's history dates back to AD 628 making it the oldest temple in Tokyo.

This place can get pretty crowded even on a weekday so it's better to come early.
 

The pedestrian street that stretches from the outer gate to the temple's second gate is called  Nakamise Dori. This market in front of the temple has been around for 300 years therefore making it one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. This colourful street is lined up with stalls along each side selling Japanese souvenirs and traditional local snacks.  We came when the shops were still closed and enjoyed the gorgeous mural paintings on the stalls' shutters.

Japanese dango sweets covered in kinako soybean flour.

 

Senbei, Japanese rice crackers.

Deep-fried Cakes, agemanju in monja (Pork) and Green Tea fillings.

In Japan, worshippers "purify" themselves before entering the temple or shrine.

You will notice stone fountains with wooden or metallic ladles over a pool of water when you visit these temples and shrines, these are called Chozuya / Temizuya.

It's simple to use one, just grasp the ladle with your right hand, scoop some water and pour over your left hand. Switch ladle to your left hand, scoop some water and pour over your right hand. Easy peasy!

I also saw some worshippers rinse and swish the water in their mouth and spit it out on the ground. 

Remember: You're not suppose to drink it.

  

 A large incense burner is positioned in front of the main hall of the temple. 

You can purchase some incense and lit here and then wave the smoke towards you as a purification ritual.

  

 At the Kaminarimon (thunder gate) of Sensoji Temple hangs this unusually large chochin red paper lantern.

As well as 2 giant owaraji sandals, they symbolize the power of the temple's Nio protectors.
Each sandal weighs around 250 kilograms and handcrafted by 800 people. The town of Maruyama in Yamagata Prefecture donates a new pair every 10 years.

 This place is a paradise for those who love to cook. 
 Kappabashi or Tokyo's Kitchen Town read more here. 

Tokyo Station is a must-see for every visitor. There is a lot to explore in this HUGE station. 

If you prefer to do some shopping head to Yaesu and Gransta areas. More shopping you say? Then check out Character Street, I highly recommend it especially if you have kids or if you are into anime or kawaii (cute) characters, you will absolutely love this place.  

You must feel hungry after all that shopping then head on to Tokyo Ramen Street but expect to see lines this long during lunch or dinner times. You may want to go before the restaurants open (11am), queue maybe shorter. This was at Rokurinsha, famous for its thick noodles served tsukemen-style. The ramen is commonly served cold and you lightly dip it into your soup and eat. (Separate post on Rokurinsha to follow)

We had our lunch booked at Chef Pierre Gagnaire's Two Michelin-starred restaurant located at ANA Intercontinental Hotel. Read more here.

Visited Meiji Jingu, a shinto shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Entry to the shrine grounds is marked by a huge torii shrine gate. It is constructed from Japanese cypress tree that was more than 1,500 years old.

Wooden plaques with handwritten messages of hopes and wishes.

A huge collection of sake barrels called kazaridaru have been donated by sake brewers from all over Japan. The sake is used for shrine ceremonies and festivals.

This intersection outside of Shibuya Station is one of the busiest in the world. It's awesome  to watch the amount of people that cross at every traffic light change.

A quirky little shop of sweets, accessories and all things Alice. 
 Alice on Wednesday read more here.

  A  popular ramen chain in Japan. Not miss out on when you are in Japan. Their tonkotsu ramen is exceptional!
Tonkotsu Ramen ICHIRAN read more here.

Robot dancing / fighting in Tokyoland! Booking is a must.
Robot Restaurant read more here.

I spy with my little eyes... GODZILLA!!!

At a random ramen shop in Shibuya right across The Prince Hotel.

You'll never run out of delicious food in Japan. You can eat ramen anywhere and it'll be excellent. Everything in Japan is better than what you can get elsewhere in the world. 

Banana sweets

Maccha Almond Chocolate, this was really delicious! Should have bought more.

Royce chocolate with Matcha syrup in the centre.

Wow! Rare Round KitKats with Red Bean Filling!

yakushite kudasai?

Randoseru, Japanese children's school bags. 

My favourite Japanese fashion magazine! non-no.

Read more on my Tokyo Trip.

Day 1 & 2 Tokyo Places Must Visit 

Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market