The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as the Tsukiji fish market, reopened its popular frozen tuna auction to sightseers Tuesday after a four-month closure following the March 11 quake and tsunami.

An official said 77 visitors, including foreign tourists, participated in the tour of the auction area.

The market canceled the tours starting March 14, three days after the disaster struck areas including Tokyo and its vicinity, out of consideration for the safety of visitors amid fears of aftershocks, according to the official.

The market decided to reduce the maximum number of sightseers from 140 to 120 per day to avoid overcrowding, the official said.