Tsukiji Fish Market: The Real Deal Sushi

Sushi has always been one of my favorite meals.  I've enjoyed it in countless places all across the States but after visiting Tokyo's famous, and humongous, Tsukiji Fish Market, I now know that I have been merely eating poor replicas of the real deal.  My wife had warned me that the sushi at Tsukiji was so amazing that it would make it impossible to eat sushi anywhere else.  We had to leave our hotel (a Ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, actually) by 5 am in order to have the sushi since they use the fish that was just caught and delivered in the wee hours of the morning to the market.  We weren't alone as the market is buzzing with activity and people.  Check out the lines of folks waiting one this street inside the market to eat (this is only one of many streets of restaurants and shops in the market):

We had done some research online to help us decide which restaurant to visit and chose Daiwa-Zusi (5-2-1 Tsukiji Bldg 6).   Take the Oedo Subway line to the Tsukijishijo Station (Stop #18) and follow the crowds to the market (only a few minute walk).  Daiwa-Zusi is located on probably the most famous and popular block of restaurants since it also includes Sushi-Dai (another great spot but always the one with the longest line).  We jumped into the line and patiently waited as we inched slowly towards the small, completely full restaurant.  We were able to see the menu to whet our appetite as we waited.  Here it is:

Daiwa-Zusi, like all of the other restaurants at Tsukiji, is merely a counter space with about 10 seats and space for 3 or 4 sushi chefs (as I mentioned in an earlier posting, the Japanese are masters of space utilization:  Here's the scene inside of Daiwa-Zusi:

Don't let the small, diner-like venue fool you.  Those guys behind that counter are creating edible masterpieces!  Their sushi is the business!  We both ordered an single setting of their sushi special (top item on the menu - 3,500 yen or about $28).  You get miso soup and around 12 pieces (the divine flavor of the pieces made me lose count).  Here are some of the treats:

I did not get photos of every piece because I was enjoying eating the sushi much more than taking pictures of it...sorry.  But trust me on this, Daiwa-Zusi is a must visit site whenever you find yourself in Tokyo!

Safe travels and power to the purple!