After a month long ban the famed Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo will allow tourists to resume watching its early-morning tuna auctions from Jan. 19. It is said that the ban was imposed by the Tokyo government in mid-December that ends on Jan. 17 to restrict busy tuna trade before the New year holidays. Tsukiji is a gigantic fish market in Chuo Ward run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and has established a worldwide reputation through its own promotions, it put a 34-day ban in place on Dec. 15 to keep away “ill-mannered tourists” — most of them from abroad.
It is noted that the market also cited hygiene risks and interference from curious onlookers attempting to touch the tuna and take flash photos — nuisances often raised by the auctioneers. The measure to ban auctions in the market was publicized worldwide via foreign embassies in Tokyo and travel agencies and drew flak from the tourists.
According to the market operator visitors are an important tourism resource. Officials also said the metro government has obtained consent from market participants to resume access to the auctions. It is found that more than 500 tourists come to watch the tuna auctions at 5:30 each morning, and more than 90 percent of the visitors are from overseas. After the reopening, the market will keep asking tourists to avoid touching the tuna with their hands or using their flashes when taking photos of the auctions.
