■The Main entrance of Tsukiji-shijo This month's feature is Tsukiji-Shijo-Jonai. This is the main entrance. The market opens for 24 hours. ■Kaini-hokanjo This is the place for selling marine products at wholesale. The people who do not have the permissions cannot enter here. ■Suisanbutsu-bu-oroshiuri-gyosha-uriba Middle traders select tuna with care, preparing for fish auction, called "Seri." ■Seri Around 5 o'clock in the morning, bell rings to gather middle traders into "Seriba," which is a bidding place. The traders are required to put the license on the caps so that they are allowed to join the fish auction. They use hands to show their prices, and it is called "Teyari." The auctioneer speaks in a unique accent that general people would not understand. The tuna, bought at the auction, are brought out from Seriba. Seri is over with the bell. ■Katugyo-oroshi-uriba This place is called Katsugyo-oroshi-uriba, which is the wholesale store for live fish. ■Nakaoroshi-gyosha-uriba The fish are brought to Nakaoroshi-gyosha ﾐuriba, which is middle traders' store. There are over 1400 shops, selling tuna, general fish, fresh-water fish, shellfishery, and so on. Around 6:30, they get ready to open the shops. The fish just bought at the auction earlier are cut and priced here. Around 7:30, retailers and people from restaurants come to purchase the products. The stores are congested with people and infused with energy especially in this time slot. ■Tsukiji-Masamoto This is "Tsukiji-Masamoto." A variety of knives are placed in orderly rows. They also sharpen blunt knives for you. ■Sushitama-Aoki This is "Sushitama Aoki," a specialty store for cooked eggs. They recommend "Atsuyaki-tamago." There are several kinds of cooked eggs in the showcase. ■Karaimonoya-Takanashi This is "Karaimonoya Takanashi." There are 180 different kinds of fresh spices. They recommend "Maboroshi-no Shichimi," which is a blending of seven high quality spices. ■Takeda This is a restaurant, "Takeda" that serves western dishes. They suggest sauteed pork with rice. ■Yajiman This is a noodle shop, "Yajiman" that takes pride in their original "Shaomai." They have been making huge and juicy shaomai for 50 years. Many customers enjoy both shaomai and noodles together. ■Senri-ken This is a coffee shop, "Senri-ken," though they are famous for stew. Their original white stew with soft-boiled eggs is very popular. Of course, they have fine coffee. ■Aiyo This is another coffee shop, "Aiyo." They serve coffee with evaporated milk. Toasts are one of the popular menus, too. ■Ryu-zushi This is "Ryu-zushi," the only restaurant, in which the first owner is in charge. They use strictly selected fish and slightly warm rice. This is "Ran," a set of nigiri-zushi. ■Iwasa-zushi Another sushi restaurant is "Iwasa-zushi." They also run eight middle traders' stores in the market so that they only serve fresh and natural fish. Their recommendation is "Omakase course." ■Yamamoto-nori-ten This is "Yamamoto-nori ten" that is famous for fresh flavorful dried sea weeds. They toast sea weeds for you at the store. ■Ohara-honten This is "Ohara honten." They have a various kinds of "Yuba," which is a skin of boiled soy been milk. They suggest yuba made in Nikko. You may preserve the yuba from Nikko at normal temperature. ■Yoshioka-ya This is "Yoshioka-ya," which provides traditional Nara-pickles. They also have other pickles, such as Japanese apricot and radish. The most popular product is kimchi. They recommend homemade cucumber kimchi. ■Hirayama-shoten "Hirayama-shoten" provides unique souvenirs. A variety of goods with names of fish in Chinese characters on them are very popular among foreigners. There are T-shirts with the character of "Maguro," meaning tuna on them. ■Sui-shrine This is "Sui-shrine" located on the top of the artificial hill beside the To-oroshi-kaikan. The shrine was first built in the early Edo period, being wished for safety in the ocean, rich haul of fish, and stable condition of Tokunaga family. The shrine has been the protectorate god of the sea since then. Even now, warships at the shrine are held on the fifth in every month by the people from Uogashi-kai. ■Tsukiji Fish Information and Museum "Tsukiji Fish Information and Museum," is placed in the market. It was established in 1981, and the late Dr. Somei Abe became the honorary director, who was known as Dr. Fish. You can find any kind of information on fish here, such as how the market works, and how to eat fish. You may enjoy the atmosphere of being in an aquarium, as there are seven tanks, in which mullets, sharks, horse mackerels, and other live fish swim. 20 to 30 liquid immersions and panels are on exhibit. They change the specimens every three months. You may ask the staff here anything about fish. References are also available for inspection by anyone. They do not charge for entrance fee. That's all for this month's feature. Please enjoy your visit in Tsukiji-Jonai.