These shots were made at the Tsukiji fish market (築地市場), the world's biggest seafood market in the world. It is located in central Tokyo, Japan.

The market handles more than 400 different types of seafood, ranging from tuna to small sardines and seaweed. It usually opens around 3 am, with the arrival of products by ship, truck and plane. The auction houses then estimate the value and prepare incoming products for the auctions.

The auctions begin around 5 am and bidding can only be done by licensed participants. The tuna auction is probably the most spectacular one to watch, although access is only granted to a number of tourists (back in 2012 at least).

Around 7 am, the purchased fish is either loaded onto trucks to be shipped to their next destinations, or put on small carts and moved to the many shops inside the market. This is where the shop owners cut and prepare the products for retail.

Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media