“Japanese Only” sign in Tsukiji Fish Market
Posted by debito on February 6th, 2008
Hi Blog. Here’s a sign I received a couple of days ago from a friend in the Kansai. “JAPANESE People ONLY” in a Tsukiji restaurant, along with a litany of what kind of food appreciation they expect from their customers.
How urusai. Problem is, they indicate that NJ cannot have this degree of food appreciation, and so refuse them entirely.
Click on photo to expand in your browser. Anyone want to run down to Tsukiji for me and get a definitive picture of the storefront with the sign? (These things usually need two photos–the sign and the storefront with the sign). And a confirmation of what the name of the restaurant (and the address if possible?) Thanks.
Again, this is what happens when this kind of discrimination is not illegal in this society. More of this genre here. Arudou Debito in Sapporo
ENDS
February 6th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I guess that clears up any confusion between “Japanese (language) only (spoken)” and “No gringos” …!
February 6th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Feb 6 2008 at Japan Today: 10 Fingerprints being pushed on Japan by the USA, to add insult to injury:
http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/427187
It seems that the “Japanese Only” will soon be put up at all points of entry.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
What an eyesore! I wonder how many “JAPANESE PeoPle” actually take the time to read that. Does a naturalized Japanese gain the refined sensibility to enjoy fine fish? C’mon Debito, clue us in! Do you get ushered into a small room and told “now this is what it is all about…”
–THEY DID LOTS OF THINGS TO ME AT THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO INDUCT ME INTO THE INNER SANCTUM… JUST KIDDING.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I can eat and appreciate ANY Japanese food. Even natto, sazae, raw horse meat, etc. I wish we could prove that to this restaurant. How about I go there with 3 other Japanese PEOPLE? Doesn’t that make up for being a smelly, ignorant, uncivilized gaijin?
February 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
This is so unfortunate because I happen to actually like the theme of this restaurant. They seem to be appealing to the “true” fish lovers who can appreciate the taste of seafood. The rules are pretty strict even in Japanese and it seems like they are trying to preserve an atmosphere indicative of food enjoyment - i.e. no smoking or shouting.
That being said though, the “no NJ” takes it over the top. Considering that Tsukiji is a go-to place for tourists, this policy is bad way to present Japan. If they would consider teaching NJ about fish they could probably increase their business ten-fold.