Well turns out that this whatever festival was actually a pretty big deal. It was the very last Lion Dance Festival that will ever be held at the market, since it's moving next year. That and this festival only ever happens every 3 years. We're very lucky to have experienced this very special one. The Lion Dance festival is held over 5 days, which ends with a procession of mikoshi, or portable shrines, and giant statues of the heads of a male and female lion. Hence the name Lion Dance. Each town wears their own distinctive colors and dance the shrines up and down the streets of the market. There's lots of cheering, clapping, and of course drinking. We weren't really sure what was going on, so we just kind of stood back and observed.
This street was so crowded for like 3 blocks that there was absolutely no way to get through. People were literally packed in like sardines.
Funky footwear worn by everyone in costume.
E and I wandered the market in search of some delicious, but affordable seafood. Affordable is really key here because earlier this year a Tokyo sushi restaurant bought a 591 lb bluefin tuna at the market for over $735,000. That's $1,247 per pound!
This crab is literally twice the size of my head, and $226! Someone bought it though. When we came back through 10 minutes later it was gone.
Yep, this vendor was selling whale. I wanted to try it, but a) it was really expensive b) completely sold out and c) I was pretty weirded out about the thought of eating Shamu
Holy mother of God is this some delicious looking tuna! This is Yellowfin.
Tuna roe
It was a shame that neither one of us was really hungry when we were surrounded by some of the best seafood in the world. It was so disgustingly hot and humid all we wanted was ice cream and water, lol. But we did find some little sampler sushi so we got to enjoy the market without wasting the experience by not being hungry.
Chu-toro. A cut of fish from the belly of the tuna, it's a medium fatty piece. O-toro is super fatty, and will literally melt in your mouth. This fish has the flavor of tuna, but coats your mouth with a delicious fatty feeling. Kinda like butter, but not as greasy or gross.
Ahi (yellowfin) akami, squid, salmon, and maguro (bluefin) akami. The yellowfin is a fattier species of tuna.
Crazy big oysters! The shells were the size of my hand. Obviously I had to eat one.
Delicious!
Grilled scallops
Super yummy
Some festival food finds:
That's a fried potato
Grilled mochi, or pounded rice balls
Natto, fermented soy beans.
Okonomiyaki, kind of like a pancake with meat, cabbage, and noodles
Fishy things on a stick. The white one is squid on a stick.
Takoyaki, batter balls stuffed with squid. Not my favorite thing :(
Chocolate covered bananas!
Notice the little chocolate filled Koala on the end? So excited for this snack! It was only 130 yen too!
Some random bits from around the market:
These are for resting your chopsticks while eating, so you don't put them directly on the table, but so they can't roll off your plate either.
Thank you sweet person who gave me a fish fan. It was desperately needed in the heat!
Marlee the Fish Monger!
Random kimono model. She was doing a legit photo shoot. There were like 10 professional photogs following her and her buddy around.
Not sure if this guy was a mascot or dinner, but either way I'm sure he didn't appreciate those coins in his bucket.
I'm not sure why so many women waltz around in stilettos. We walked about 8 miles and my feet were KILLING me in tennis shoes.
We explored the Namiyoke Inari Shrine, it's name means protection from waves and is the unofficial shrine for the market and the fishermen and traders.
And of course, a cute uniquely Japanese sign.
Warning of heatstroke! Totally relevant for today
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