TOKYO, Dec. 19 -- Tokyo's Tsukiji Outer Market has made an unusual appeal ahead of the year-end rush, asking guided tour groups to refrain from visiting in December as crowds swell in the run-up to Japan's New Year celebrations.

According to Japanese media, the request, issued by the Tsukiji Food Town Development Council, is aimed at sightseeing tours, eating-while-walking activities and group visits, rather than individual travellers.

December is traditionally the market's busiest month, when shoppers from across Japan arrive to buy seafood and other premium ingredients for Oshogatsu, the most important holiday in the Japanese calendar.

A notice posted in the market warns that Tsukiji's narrow streets become dangerously congested duri...