Housemartin

Our family is headed to Japan with our three young kids (3 to 6 years old). The guidebooks all say Tsukiji is a fascinating place for kids, but I also see a lot of articles playing up how hectic things are there with all the motorized carts flying about. Our kids are very well-behaved and not prone to running off. Has anyone who has been to Tsukiji have any thoughts on whether it's a place to take the kids?

Lindsey

I don't think I wold take kids that age there. I almost was run over by forklifts several times and I was trying to be really careful. Lots of very sharp knives and hooks being wielded by the vendors as well. Also, the main "action" at Tsukiji is around 5:30-6:30AM. At that age, my kids would have been unbearable had I dragged them out of bed that early, even for something as interesting as Tsukiji.

Housemartin

Thanks, Lindsey - do you know if there will be anything to see if we get there say at 8 or 9 a.m.?

Lindsey

Sorry, don't have any info on that. We arrived at about 6am, watched the tuna auction and walked around for about 45 min, had a sushi breakfast at one of the stalls just outside the market and were gone by 7:30. Perhaps a good hotel concierge could help you with more detailed information.

crosscheck

We got there at 9am and there was still plenty of action. (It was our only day -arrived that morning and it was closing the next day for new years holiday). Missed the auction, but there was still a lot of fish and a lot of chaotic fun. One of our Tokyo highlights.

It might be okay to take the kids if you were REALLY careful about holding onto them. (We were with our teen boys and kept getting separated from them - Established a meeting place as soon as we arrived) It was a Saturday and there were lots of little Japanese kids there. Ate at a fabulous sushi place across the street (amazing blow-torched albacore, restaurant name was only in Japanese) and also a noodle stand on the premises.

crosscheck

PS - It's a good idea to put business cards with the name of your hotel in your kids' pockets...not just for Tsukiji, but in general people don't speak much English

Housemartin

Thanks Crosscheck - that's a great idea about the business cards. I think we may go a little later - we don't need to see the auction, but I think the kids would be fascinated by all of the different kinds of fish. Plus - they love sushi.

santamonica

My kids were older, 13 and 15, but the Tsukiji market was one of the coolest things we did in Japan. I'd say go for it, but go carefully.

angethereader

We were in Tokyo visiting our college age son. The fish market was one of our favorite places in Tokyo. If your kids are interested in all kinds of sea food, go there were so many fish I could not identify.
Just hold on to them and you'll be fine.

mrsalib

We just went there last weekend with our 2 yr old and teen. It was about 10 am, auction was over, not a fish to be seen. Thank goodness my 2 yr old was asleep in her stroller, because it was WAY too hectic to let her walk alone. Tons of trucks and carts buzzing about, fast!! Great sushi, though!!

deptrai

I've been a few times and love it. I took my wife once and she was terrified. She ended up getting sideswiped by a guy on a bicycle. If you go be careful, wear sneakers, and enjoy.

W9London

Tsukiji market is a great place to have sushi and to spend the early morning while you're still jet-lagged. However, it is a real trademen's market and NOT a toddler-friendly place. School children have field trip well after the activities are over. I would not take young (say under 7 or 8) children there. Fortunately, there are a few nice aquariums in Tokyo for the young 'uns.

mjs

School children do field trips to Tsukiji? Must be something new. Japanese do not consider Tsukiji a tourist destination. Also agree that it is not a good place to take young children, especially age 3.