Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

I’ve always dreamed of visiting the Tsukiji market, and finally managed to make it happen this week. All of the stories you’ve ever heard are true. It’s as vast, as vivid, as awe-inspiring and as completely insane as everybody says it is. Just getting to the market itself is a bit hazardous, as the roadways and parking lots immediately surrounding it are awash with a motley and multitudinous assortment of wildly careening vehicles hastily transporting fish to, well, wherever they’re transporting them to. With no clear path to my goal and vehicles bearing down on me from every imaginable direction, it reminded me of nothing so much as a massive game of Frogger.

Once inside and wandering about the tightly packed stalls, however, there’s nothing to do but give in to the sheer bliss of being surrounded by some of the most highly prized fish in the world. Here are a few photos of the action.