Since fish is an important part of the Japanese diet, fishing is one of Japan’s major industries. In 1998, there were more than 382, 431 registered fishing boats in Japan. The Tsukiji fish market is located in the southern part of Tokyo. Despite its thriving seafood industry, Japan must import 42% of the fish it needs. All of this fish allows the average Japanese person to consume 37.9 kg. of fish each year. The Tsukiji is the largest fish market in Japan selling fish from Japan, as well as New Zealand, Australia and Canada. The larger fish like the tuna are numbered and auctioned daily. With friends Michael Pope and Rochelle Rubin we took a taxi at 4:30 a.m. on our first day in Tokyo (as a remedy against the jet lag) and set out to explore this huge warehouse of sea creatures on a rainy but pleasant early morning. At the fish market they sell over 450 kinds of fish including tuna, yellowfin, octopus, shrimp, eels, lobsters, crab, and more. The chanting of the auctioneers and the excitement of the restaurant owners in search good deals was in itself a unique spectacle! As well as the careful techniques utilized to inspect the freshness and good quality of the fish for sale.