I don’t think I can emphasize enough of how the Tsukiji Fish Market should be on the bucket list for the true sushi eating enthusiast (what happens when the fish market moves at the end of the year and what happens to the Tsukiji location remains to be seen, as there are business owners who are not thrilled about the move).
But just walking around the area, you may be surprised to see quite a few temples nearby.
One temple that is right across the street is Tsukiji Suijin Shrine (also known as the Uogashisui Shrine).
First, lets establish who is Suijin. The word means “water god” and Suijin is the Shinto god of water in Japan. And in Japan, there are shrines that are devoted to the worship of the water god called Suitengu Shrines.
The main Suitengu Shrine is in Fukuoka and is called the Suitengu Shrine in Kurume.
But at the Tsukiji Fish Market, the Tsukiji Suijin Shrine was created to protect and watch over the fishers and their businesses. It’s important to note that this shrine watches over Tsukiji Fish Market and not the entire Tsukiji district.
The small Tsukiji Suijin Shrine is a branch of the Kanda Myojin Shrine (one of the city’s largest Shinto shrines and home of one of Tokyo’s top three annual festivals).
If you happen to be looking for the #1 sushi restaurant in Tsukiji (which many people say belongs to “Sushi Dai”) and to realize there are possibly hundreds of people waiting hours in line just to get in, then just make the short walk to Tsukiji Suijin Shrine.
Photos by Dennis A. Amith/Antonio Airoso
