July 16-18, 2026: Our week-long trip — meticulously planned by Jason, with David lending a hand — kicked off in Tokyo: a short, jam-packed stay hitting the Tokyo National Museum, some shopping, and the main event, the Toyosu Tuna Auction.
I’d been to Tokyo plenty for work, but never once dragged myself out of bed for the fish auction — until Jason made me. Toyosu opened in 2018, taking over from legendary Tsukiji as Tokyo’s main wholesale fish market, and we watched the early-morning tuna auction from the observation deck. No shouting, no frantic bidding wars like the auctions I’d seen in the US — just brisk, hushed efficiency, wrapped up in 30 minutes flat. Very Japan. Fun fact: one 150kg tuna yields about 10,000 pieces of sushi.
Honestly, I liked old Tsukiji better — open-air, lively, packed with spots for sushi so fresh it should still be swimming. I hunted for my beloved wasabi pistachios (once a suitcase staple) but came up empty. Jason stuck around for the Tsukiji tour; David and I headed back to pack and catch the train to Kyoto.
