History of the fish trade in Tokyo. Tsukiji Market.

Japan is known worldwide as a trendsetter in fish cuisine. It was Japan that gave the world such dishes as sushi, sashimi, tempura, etc. The word wasabi penetrated into many languages of the world. And in Japan itself, the center of fish cuisine and fish trade until recently was the district and market of Tsukiji. Where are the roots of this world-famous phenomenon?

The beginning of the fish trade in Tokyo can be traced back to 1603, when the shogunate government relocated fishermen to Edo (Tokyo) from the village of Tsukuda near Osaka. The best catch, of course, the aristocrats kept, and in return allowed the fishermen to sell the rest of the catch to ordinary residents. With the development of the city, the market grew significantly and was called Nihonbashi Wogashi. By the way, now the Nihonbashi district is a fashionable financial center, where the Central Bank of Japan, the phonod exchange, financial companies, an analogue of the Moscow GUM - department store "Mitsukoshi" and others are located.

After the great fire of 1657, apparently in order to support the fish trade, the famous Tsukiji Market was founded on the artificially created earth surface. Yes, yes, the Japanese were already filling Tokyo Bay to expand the city. According to legend, the construction of the market went poorly due to stormy weather and turbulent sea. However, one day the sea threw away a sacred artifact, and when this artifact was placed in a special temple (Nami Yoke Inari Temple), the sea calmed down and construction was completed successfully.

At first, the Tsukiji district attracted feudal lords who built their residences in the district, laid out gardens, etc. Over time, however, a Japanese naval center was built there. It was designed to protect against foreign ships attempting to enter Japan. As you may remember, the shogunate government has long pursued a policy of self-isolation.

After the Meiji Revolution, an intensive penetration of foreign business into Japan began. During this period, the first hotel in Japan, the Tsukiji Hotel, was built with foreign participation. The first foreign restaurant opens in Tsukiji. In 1884, the existence of a fish market in Tsukiji was legalized by an appropriate permit. However, during this period, Tsukiji was not yet the center of the fish trade as we knew it not so long ago. In fact, during this period, the main fish markets were Nihonbashi (the oldest market), Shinbashi, Senju and Shiba Kanasugi.

In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck. The earthquake destroyed the market in Nihonbashi. After this earthquake, the Tsukiji market got a chance to develop and in 1935 the Central Capital Wholesale Market of Tsukiji opened. To do this, the Japanese Navy even had to compete.

After World War II, the market resumed in 1955. Together with the economic growth of Japan and the “Japanese economic miracle”, the development of the Tsukiji market was rapid. Over time, Tsukiji becomes a global brand, appearing in all travel guides to Tokyo, Japan. By 1990, market sales peaked at $26 million. There are 480 types of fish and seafood on the market, as well as 270 types of fruits and vegetables. The market is not just a wholesale base. Around the market like mushrooms grow restaurants preparing fish cuisine, sushi, etc. Over time, there are a variety of restaurants for every taste and wallet.

Over time, Tsukiji grew so large that problems began with the development of the market. By the 1980s, it began to occupy an area 4 times larger than originally estimated. Also, the deterioration of the main buildings and infrastructure pushed for the inevitable transfer of the market. Reconstruction on the previous site was determined as impractical, as it would be too expensive. Also, the reconstruction of such a market near the city center would undoubtedly create great problems for the city. Thus, in 2001, the Tokyo government announced the relocation of the market to the Toyosu district, the site of the former Tokyo gas plant. The relocation itself took almost 20 years. This is an example of how slowly the millstones of Japanese decision-making are being grinded. The fact is that often making a decision on any issue requires the consensus of all important players. This often takes a lot of time. This is the strength and weakness of the Japanese. On the one hand, consensus solutions are much stronger. On the other hand, in extreme situations there is a delay in decision-making, which is fraught with quite unpleasant consequences.

However, with the loss of the market, Tsukiji continues to be the mecca of sushi and sashimi lovers. Being conveniently located, the area continues to attract a large number of customers. Most traditional fish restaurants remain in Tsukiji. Tsukiji District is looking forward to the 21st century. Attractions of the area that are definitely worth seeing are Tsukiji Honganji Temple, Daiso Ryokan, a survivor of the American bombing, built in 1930, Shin Kiraku Restaurant, built in 1940, this is a high-level restaurant where the Akutagawa and Naoki literary awards are presented. The Kachidoki Bridge, built in 1940, was a technological marvel. The bridge is lifting, but since 1970 it has been used as a stationary bridge. Also in the Tsukiji area there are several small but pretty parks, which from spring to winter please with their flowers, greenery and shade in the sultry summer months.