Beginning December 15, tourists will be banned from the fish auctions at Tsukiji until January 17, 2009.
The main reason is that the large number of foreign tourists cause an obstruction of business and due to language barriers, don't necessarily understand the rules (even though much of this spelled out in guidebooks, travel resource sites, leaflets, and tour packages, there are still many who don't know that they are in a live working fish market). Flash photography and touching of the produce are some of the annoyances auctioneers and market workers have complained about.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has sent out a notice of the ban to embassies, hotels, travel companies and other businesses across the capital.
The Tuna Markets, as they are known, are one of the three most popular tourist spots in Tokyo, alongside Akihabara and Asakusa. During early morning hours there were nearly 500 visitors on some days; but many working at the markets have complained of visitors' showing a lack of courtesy to staff.
According to a tuna wholesalers' association, the rush in foreign visitors started with the "sushi boom" 10 or so years ago, and has grown especially severe over the past five to six years, following news of the market's planned closure.
While the auctions are technically off-limits to spectators, auctioneers have informally allowed people to watch from a designated area of the auction hall. With many taking flash photography or touching the produce, however, auctioneers and market workers alike have often been disturbed by visitors: "They can't understand the language, so we can't even warn them," complained one.
"It's not a bad thing for Tsukiji to gain attention, but with the risk of injury to visitors, and the potential to affect business during the busy Year End and New Year season, it's unavoidable," said a metropolitan official. But it's likely to take time for the news to filter round through signboards and leaflets, as there are many foreigners who visit the auctions individually after learning about the place by word of mouth.
One Tokyo hotel said: "We've explained you can't enter the auction area before, but if you are asked for directions to Tsukiji, you have no choice but to tell them. All we can do is leave it to the judgment of our guests."
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