Tsukiji - Tuna Auction

The Tsukiji is a well known tourist attraction for the "gaijin" (foreigners).
A perfect destination early in the morning for the jet-lagged and not to mention the breakfast for champions for, yes, us champions.

So on my most recent trip to Japan, I made it a point to revisit the largest fish market in the world.

When you say the word Tuna to an American here in the states, you either think of Bumble Bee "Tuna", or "The Big Tuna", Phil Parcels.
But when you say the Japanese word for tuna "Maguro" in Japan, you get an instant smile and an eyes closed muttering of "Umaisnee", (translated slang - Damn, it's good).

Tuna is highly prized in Sushi Restaurants. And especially in Edo-mae style sushi served in Tokyo.
So the simple rules of economics couldn't be better demonstrated at the daily Tuna Auction held in Tsukiji every morning. From 5am to 6:15am Mon thru Fri, literally tons of tuna are lined up in a row, inspected, then auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Bidders represent restaurant buyers and distributors alike.

Below are pictures I was able to take while roped behind the "tourists corner".