( CNN ) -- The vast Tsukiji Market in Tokyo is where the country 's finest delicacies are sold and auctioned , not only fish -- for which the market is famous -- but also fruit and vegetable . Earlier this month , UNESCO , the U.N. cultural organization , added traditional Japanese cuisine , or `` washoku , '' into its Intangible Cultural Heritage list . `` 'Wa ' means Japanese , 'shoku ' means 'to eat ' or 'meal ' or anything food-related , '' explains cooking instructor and `` washoku '' enthusiast Reiko Yoshikawa . For Japanese , food is associated with many things . `` First of all , it means happiness , the gathering , of being together , '' Yoshikawa says . `` Nutrition , in a sense , is also very important and also the appreciation to nature . '' Yoshikawa guided CNN through the legendary marketplace , which is set to be relocated in 2016 . Like many shoppers , she is particular where she gets her supply . A fish stall called Di Nobu , for example , is where she sources her tuna . Food is taken seriously in Japan , and it 's not only seafood , for which the country is famous . Melons are highly prized , and those grown in Japanese greenhouses are considered the perfect fruit and can command high prices . During an auction a box of six melons fetches around $ 250 -- `` the highest price today , '' Yoshikawa says . See more : An insider guide to Tokyo 's Tsukiji fish market . `` Washoku '' is the 22nd Japanese cultural asset to be listed on UNESCO 's heritage list , which also includes the country 's theater forms such as Kabuki , Noh and Bunraku . The U.N. recognition is another sign of how Japanese food has begun to earn global accolades . ( In 2010 , French gastronomy was included into the UNESCO list . ) In the past half-decade , Japan has quickly emerged as a major force in fine dining . It has 27 three-starred restaurants in the 2014 Michelin guide . The figure is matched only by France , a country long regarded as home to the world 's finest restaurants , chefs and cuisine . But in contrast to the rarefied world of fine dining and superstar chefs , `` washoku , '' the world-recognized national treasure , is not anything fancy . `` It 's comfort food , '' Yoshikawa says . `` It 's not something that you eat out in restaurants . The image , the impression of Japanese food outside of Japan is probably something that you would eat out at a restaurant . But , no , it 's actually very simple , very seasonal . '' Yenni Kwok contributed to this report . CNN 's On the Road series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries we profile . However CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports . Read the policy .
UNESCO added traditional Japanese cuisine , or `` washoku , '' into its Intangible Cultural Heritage list . The new designation means that the food is protected by law and can be sold in Japan without any restrictions on where it may be consumed.