I had read that tourists were not allowed all the way inside the wholesale part of the market, but there were other non-workers walking around, and no one stopped me. Watch out for workers running around with fish and carts, but they are pretty nice and won't yell at you if you get in their way.

Don't wear nice shoes because there will be puddles and pools of blood on the ground. You will probably smell like fish afterwards. I was there around 7.30 in the morning, which was a good time to be there, but I don't know how it is later in the day. I ran across a tuna auction without any trouble.

This has got to be the BEST fish market in the world. Not only for the massive array of every conceivable (dead and alive) sea creature you can think of, but also for the hundreds of businesses supporting the market in the surrounding area. You can buy everything from knives, to rubber boots, to rice cookers. And then there is the food! Being a ramen addict, look for the ramen stall on the edge of the market area with the longest queue. No seats, just a makeshift table on the edge of the street. For Y600 a steal.

While on a visit to Tokyo I decided to go to Tsukiji market on a Tuesday morning. I had read the reviews that the place is bustling at 8 AM. When I arrived with my husband and 11yo and 10yo children, controlled chaos is a more accurate description. As we exited the subway there was a sign that warned to walk with caution as there are many small trucks moving around. There was also a map which we found confusing. First, this is a working market and not a tourist site. The people who are there are doing their jobs. There are no walkways for tourists and going there with young children would likely be disastrous. Overall, I am very glad for the experience we had to view the immense variety of seafood available and the massive tuna. However, I wish I had been a little more mentally prepared for what to expect. A word about the sushi places to the side of the market. First, they weren't easy to find. They are tiny "hole in the wall" kind of places. Second, I was disappointed at the treatment given to myself and my son. I was told by a friend that the lines on weekends can be greater than one hour. On the Tuesday I went at 8:30 AM the wait was only 15 min. I am not a huge fan of sushi but my 10 year old likes it. At the time we went in to eat there was noone waiting to enter behind us. The woman running the establishment was quite rude and insisting that either I buy two plates of sushi at 3,000 yen each or my son would have to enter alone. After much insisting she allowed me to enter with my son and share the plate of sushi. The sushi is absolutely fresh. However, unless you are a sushi expert and know what you like I would skip it. In addition, the place we ate at just was not kid friendly. I wish I had taken my son to a regular sushi restaurant where we would have had more selection and less of a rush to order, eat, and vacate our seat.

This is a feast for the eyes. Keep the little ones close by as the workers have a job to do and motorized carts whiz by from every direction in those dark, early morning hours. The size and abundance of the sea creatures here are astounding and something I will always remember. A friendly Japanese man who spoke english explained to us that one of the tuna's just auctioned off was on it's way to Spain. Very cool.