Out with the old and in with the new. The world famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo has closed, and a new version in Toyosu opened for business on Thursday.
At 5:30 a.m. sharp, a bell clanged to signal the start of bidding. Rows of tuna were sold in rapid succession as auctioneers called out to buyers.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government spent over five billion dollars to build the new market. The Tsukiji Market shut down after 83 years of history on October 6th.
The new site covers an area of 407,000 square meters, 1.7 times as large as Tsukiji. Unlike the partially open-air Tsukiji facility, the Toyosu Market is in a multi-story building, which officials say is designed to better control temperatures and enhance cleanliness.
The opening had been delayed because toxic chemicals were found in soil and groundwater at the Toyosu site, and cleanup efforts were botched.
◆multi-story多層の、多階の
◆toxic chemicals有害化学物質
◆cleanup汚染除去
◆botch不手際をやる
