Tokyo’s Tsukiji market to re-open to ‘ill-mannered’ tourists

The world’s largest fish market plans to re-open its pre-dawn tuna auctions to tourists in Tokyo next week, according to an official, ending a month-long ban imposed over complaints of loutish behavior.

Hundreds of people, mostly foreign tourists, usually flock to Tokyo’s Tsukiji market every day but local authorities called an end to the auction visits on December 15, just before the market’s busiest period of the year.

The market now plans to allow visitors back from January 19, according to the local government, which runs the market with wholesalers.

"We recognize that the auctions are part of the Tokyo scenery and popular tourist attraction," said a local official, who declined to be named.

Wholesalers had complained about tourists’ behavior at the market, with some sightseers being caught hugging, licking and straddling fish before the market installed a restricted sightseeing area last year, the official said.

Flash photography also put off auctioneers at the market, the source of fresh sushi and sashimi to top restaurants around the world, he added.

Tourists will now be allowed to visit the restricted area from 5:00 am to 6:15 am, while two guards will hand out visiting guidelines to tourists.

Other areas of the market had remained open to visitors during the ban.