I have always wanted to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market in Japan and it was one of the things that I never got around to doing the last time I was in Japan. Now it appears that it may be too late for me to get to see the tuna auction in action. The Tsukiji Fish Market has promoted itself as a tourist destination and is now so popular that it will have to stop due to the volume and irresponsible behavior of visitors. Click on the photo to check out an article from 3yen.
Starting in April the market will be discouraging visitors citing sanitation concerns and disruption to the auctions that the site is famous for. Strollers, babies and large packages will no longer be allowed into the market and flash photography will not be permitted. Further, an application for entry must be made in advance and those people wanting to visit merely for sightseeing will be asked not to enter.
I think that the real shame in this is that it is another one of those cases where the rotten apple spoils the bunch. This Tsukiji Fish Market is a place of business and as such the visitors have a responsibility to respect that. No-one wants to have their job be harder or take longer as a result of distractions caused by people not there to conduct business.
I am not disputing that the Tsukiji Fish Market has a valid concern but I would suggest that an alternative would be to limit the number of people who enter and ensure that they are with a guide at all times. A minimal entrance fee could cover the cost of the guide, ensure that guests do not stray into areas where they would disrupt business and possibly even be able to provide some insights and history of the site which would enhance the visitor experience. The guests should also have to agree to abide by the rules and stay in designated areas at all times before being allowed entry.
My suggestion may be too late or too much to do logistically since the site has several gates and it is estimated that 42,000 people and 19,000 trucks enter and leave the facility every business day but I think that it is definitely better than banning or discouraging visitors completely.
5 responses so far ↓
1 antigenre // Feb 14, 2008 at 6:28 am
That’s disappointing! I’ve been into the inner market several times and it ranks among my all-time favorite places. I never went to the auctions (who is up that early in the morning anyway??), but it’s too bad that now I won’t have the chance. I agree that the number of visitors and the areas they can enter should be monitored, but banning visitors outright is a bit too harsh and could damage the businesses surrounding the market.
2 Bahia Simons-Morton // Feb 14, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I’m a little disappointed. I currently live in Japan I haven’t had a chance to go to the fish market yet. It looks like I will have to try to go before April!
It really is a shame that they are banning visitors entirely, rather than trying to find a way around the problem.
3 Shane // Feb 14, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I really think that there are other alternatives that should have been considered and I too am sad that this will no longer be easily accessible to tourists. So now there will probably be extra big crowds in March…
4 Chris B // Feb 16, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I think the fish market in Hawaii is better anyway.
Shane, have you had Ahi or Taco Poke’ before? Do they have that in Japan?
5 Shane // Feb 16, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I’m a big fan of Ahi Poke and have been known to make it wherever we are. Most of the time it’s difficult or impossible to find the ogo but I’m thinking that won’t be a problem in Japan! . Most people love it and I have actually been told it’s ono by local kine folks which as you know is a great compliment. Taco Poke I’m not such a big fan of - I think it’s a texture thing.
So next time you have a craving drop me a line and I’ll hook you up with my recipe.
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