Going, going, gone: Japan’s Tsukiji fish market to close tuna auctions to tourists in September
World’s largest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in area packed with restaurants and shops, is moving shop after 80 years in the same Tokyo location
Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji fish market will stop admitting tourists to watch its pre-dawn tuna auctions next month, as it prepares to move locations on October 11, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
After more than 80 years in operation Tsukiji, the world’s largest fish market and a popular tourist attraction in an area packed with restaurants and shops, will move east to Toyosu, the site of a former gas plant.
The market, which opened in 1935, is best known for its pre-dawn daily auctions of tuna, caught from around the world, for use by everyone from top Michelin-star sushi chefs to ordinary grocery stores.
The lively tuna auctions are considered a must-see for visitors to the Japanese capital – despite starting at 5.30am – and daily tourist numbers are capped at 120 people.
The early hour does not seem to put off the tourist crowds and “some tourists start lining up at around 2am”, the spokeswoman from the Tokyo metropolitan government said.
But access to the tuna auction will end on September 15, as preparatory work for the move gets underway, she added.
