After the Tohoku Earthquake, the Tsukiji Fish Market, a great place to see where your sushi and other foods get their start, and to gain a great appreciation for the way a fish auction works in Japan, was closed to tourists out of concerns for their safety.
The market has banned visits from tourists in the past, including a ban on foreign tourists following some high profile incidences of dangerous or unruly behavior by non-Japanese tourists hijacking forklifts, public drunkenness, or other things that could have caused injury to them or workers at the auction. It is currently open to all visitors, but the number is limited to 120 (two groups of 60 each) on a first come first serve basis.
The Tsukiji Fish Market Tuna Auction is open to tourists from 5am to 6:15am, the two groups are divided by time – the first group of 60 gets to tour between from 5:25 to 5:50, and the second tour from 5:50 to 6:15. Visitors can register at 5am on the 1st floor of the “Fish Information Center” near the Kachidoki Bridge entrance.
Note that they ask visitors not to bring babies, strollers, or small children. I advise you to look over the other Tsukiji Fish Market Rules before visiting.
Also note that the market is closed on Sundays and some Wednesdays so you may want to call ahead or avoid these dates.
It is easily accessible by public transportation at Tsukiji Shijo station on the Oedo line if coming from Shinjuku, or Tsukiji station after transferring to the Hibiya line (from most other train lines such as the Marunouchi).
If you do go, please enjoy watching that giant tuna being cut up with a band saw, because that’s what it’s all about!