Tokyo is about to lose one its most popular tourist sites as the Tsukiji Fish Market adopts new rules in April that urge visitors to “refrain from coming” voluntarily.

It seems that tourist promotion activities for Tsukiji have been so successful that the hordes tourists showing up each morning create a hygiene risk and are interfering with normal business activities.

Hideji Otsuki, head of the wholesale market, said the request is aimed at getting tourists to exercise voluntary restraint.

“The situation won’t drastically change overnight because Tsukiji has become so well-known among (tourists) via the Internet,” Otsuki said by phone. “But we’d like to gradually change the situation by widely advertising the new rules.”

Tourists who arrive unaware of the new rules won’t be kicked out, but the ill-mannered may be escorted off the premises by security guards, he said.

Specifically, Tsukiji workers complain that some tourists try to touch the fish, and that camera flashes interfere with hand signals used during auctions.

Under the new rules. . .

• All outside visitors must submit an application in advance.
• Sightseers will be “asked to refrain from entering.”
• Visitors who show up unaware of the new restrictions will be allowed to enter but will be asked to abide by the new rules.
• No flash photos in the auction sites.
• No smoking except in designated areas.
• No babies, baby strollers or other large baggage.