A look inside 'Japan's kitchen'

A behind-the-scenes look at the bustling Tsukiji fish market

Jackie Friedman's avatar
Lauren Hansen's avatar
By ,
Published
Men transport tuna.
(Image credit: Takashi Aoyama)
A group of men ride with frozen tuna after the auction.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama)Despite its global celebrity, the market is still a cultural mainstay for locals, who call it "Japan's kitchen," says photographer Takashi Aoyama. By three each morning, the m)

A general view of the atmosphere in the wholesale section during morning business hours.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama))

(Takashi Aoyama)

The morning pile of styrofoam containers.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama))

A man cuts tuna after the morning auction.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama))

The backbones of frozen tuna fish are removed.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama))

Conger eels.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama))

(Takashi Aoyama)

Freshly cut tuna.
(Image credit: (Takashi Aoyama)**Check out more of Takashi's work on his website and Instagram**)

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.