BEGIN Japanology was on today! Today's subject is the role & importance of Tokyo Bay throughout the city's history.
The waters are an important fishing area for the city, providing most of it's seafood. Kanagawa & Chiba prefectures also share the waters, alongside Tokyo. It has lots of sea life, and people use the waters for recreation.
They followed a group of fishermen on their local route through the bay. While fisherman elsewhere may use a particular mountain or tree as markers, this group uses famous Tokyo landmarks! The group also serves their fish on pleasure boats (ferries where people/tourists can enjoy the bay).
They explained the history of fishing in the historic city of Edo (old Tokyo), along with the region's unique sea food cuisine, such as tempura. When the city's population topped 1 million, with Samurai stationed in the capital & merchants flocking there, food stores (similar to today's fast food) flourished, with many new dishes created (such as sushi as we know it today).
They then went to a mud flat to catch shellfish such as crabs & clams. In post war Tokyo, in vast industrialization, the mud flats of Tokyo Bay (as well as the bay itself) became heavily polluted. Over time, the bay has become clean once more, and there are groups dedicated to keeping it that way!
In a local park, you can ride on traditional wooden boats in the waters of the bay. They then visited a craftsman who is making sure that the ancient art of making these boats stays alive.
