When people think of ‘Japan’ — I’d guess sushi is one of the first things that comes to mind.
That, and maybe anime, Toyota, Mario Bros., cherry blossoms and karate.
Chowing down on some amazing fish was a priority when we moved to Japan four weeks ago, and I’ve definitely indulged. Here — is just a ‘taste’ of my experience with fish in Japan… cooked, raw and even LIVE.
Sushi-Go-Round
First up, a sushi-go-round (also known as conveyer belt sushi or kaiten-zushi in Japanese) in Yokohama.
Yes, these exist in the states — but I’d never been to one.
For those unfamiliar, a sushi-go-round is exactly what it sounds like — a sushi restaurant where the plates with the sushi are placed on a rotating conveyor belt that passes every table and seat. If you see something you like, you take the plate and eat it. Plates are different colors or designs based on price. At the end of your meal, the plates are added up and you’re presented with the final bill.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for as the fish and appetizers stream past, you can make a special order on a touch screen computer. At some restaurants that special order is delivered on a ‘sushi train’ on a track above the main conveyor belt. It stops right at your seat!
I have a feeling we will frequent sushi-go-round spots like this one often during our time here in Japan. Fun, delicious and relatively expensive!
Fishing For Dinner
The next night we made our way to a restaurant called Zauo (enough vowels for you?) in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. Here, you catch your own dinner. That’s right. They seat you in a giant boat in the middle of a pond in the restaurant, hand you fishing poles and bait — and it’s time to ‘Go Fish’.
It’s in your best interest to do the catching. If the fish just aren’t biting you can order of the menu (but it will be more expensive).
We managed to reel in a Flounder and a Sea Bream. Both were big enough fish that we could have them cooked two ways. We had half of each grilled and the other half prepared as sashimi (raw fish sliced into thin pieces). It was fantastic — and despite growing up on a lake, I’m quite sure it was the first time I caught (let alone ate) my own fish!
Sushi Dai at Tokyo’s world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market
Just seven hours after finishing our fishing adventure we were up and on our way to the next big thing! We woke up just after 3:30 in the morning and hoofed it (trains don’t run that early) to the Tsukiji Fish Market where we got in line at Sushi Dai. We weren’t alone. Not even close. When we arrived at the restaurant just after 4 a.m. we found 70-80 people already lined up ahead of us… and the place didn’t 
even open for another hour!
We waited. And waited. And waited as hundreds more got in line behind us.
A little background — Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest seafood market in the world. While this is a legitimate place of business with 900+ wholesale dealers, most tourists find their way to Tsukiji for two things: the tuna auction and a sushi breakfast. Yes, really. Sushi. For breakfast.
We arrived far too late for the tuna auction, as all 120 tickets for the public were gone before 3 a.m. (maybe next time?) Meantime, there are dozens of sushi restaurants open for breakfast. We decided to try our luck at Sushi Dai, considered one of the best in all of Japan.
After 4-and-a-half hours in line, we made it into the tiny restaurant which has just 12 seats. For 4,000 yen (about $40) we had the Omakase (trust the Chef) set. We were not disappointed. The 4+ hour wait was SO worth it.
Note: Watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi on Netflix for more insight on the art of sushi here in Japan. It’s a fantastic documentary.
Meantime… I mentioned LIVE seafood. So far I’ve had live octopus and prawn (video evidence below). This happened at Nakamura’s, a very popular sushi restaurant with our friends here in Japan. I’ve been twice since moving here and we have reservations next week!
Poll: Has this post made you hungry for sushi? Or — not so much?
Sayonara for now!
This post makes me want to hop a plane tomorrow! Yum!!!!!