25.11.27 - Tsukiji

This will be a light journal today as we didn't have much on the agenda. Primary agenda item today is going to Ichifuji - a ceramics store in Tsukiji Outer Fish Market (the original one, not the new one). Tutu and Papa always went here when they visited so we had to do a visit if our own! Didn't find anything that grabbed my fancy, they did have some cute dishes but with no where to put them at home it was an easy pass. Mom did find a few small bowls that she was looking for so that's a win! We also satisfied Mom's craving for fresh ebi tempura, although this stall was definitely catering to tourists given ¥1000 yen for two ebi. Too much batter on this tempura for me, but Mom and Dad find it tasty.

Tsukiji market is a madhouse. So many tourists. And locals too, but mainly tourists. There's so many food stalls to look at, but so many people either in line for the stalls or congregating in front of the stalls that you can't even see the stall. It's bad. We wish it wasn't as crowded because we really did want to check out all the little alleys, but the amount of people make it not fun. So we head out of the market area and over to Hamarikyu Gardens. It's a quaint park with winding paths all over, which makes it feel surprisingly big.

We wander around for a bit before following the signs to the teahouse. Mom and I each get a matcha. Our feet needed a rest so it was a nice spot for a short break, but the matcha was a bit difficult to drink towards the end as it was very bitter. I was trying really hard not to make faces while drinking the last of it. If you like strong matcha, this place might be your jam. Not so much for us.

We grab lunch from the department store on our way home and pretty much call it a day. But I'll end this journal with a pretty row of yellow gingko.

Sayonara!