Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction — Guide Toru
September, 2025
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 05:00 Meet at the hotel in Asakusa
- 05:30 Watch the tuna auction
- 06:30 Stroll through the Tsukiji Outer Market
- 08:00 Disband at a beer bar in the Tsukiji Outer Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Tokyo began at 05:00, when the guide met the guests at hotel in Asakusa, and finished at 08:00. The day ran to 3 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Watch the tuna auction at 05:30 and Stroll through the Tsukiji Outer Market at 06:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shijomae Station by bus (210JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 210JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Toyosu Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. Tour Highlights and Guest Reactions The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Because I had once done a homestay and language study in the same region, we hit it off right from the start talking about the local area, and the tour began in a wonderful atmosphere. At the tuna auction, they were amazed by the sheer volume of frozen tuna lined up across the entire floor, and even more surprised that all of it would be auctioned off. The auctioneer with the biggest gestures happened to be in charge of the tuna auction right in front of us, and the guests were impressed by his unique movements and rapid pricing. Since one of the guests used a cane, I chose a route without stairs and we made it a slow-paced walking tour to match. This actually allowed them to explore Tsukiji thoroughly, and they enjoyed a variety of foods everywhere we went. In particular, they experienced grilled eel (unagi kabayaki) for the first time and were delighted, saying both the aroma and taste were perfect. Finally, I guided them to a bar where they could sample four kinds of Japanese craft beer, and here too we had a lively conversation about the differences from pubs in their home area, took smiling photos at the bar, and parted ways. When I marked recommended shops I couldn't take them to on an English map and handed it over, they were happy to continue exploring after the tour.
2. Other Impressions, Notes, and Requests At the tuna auction viewing venue this time, there were more tours participating than usual (with Japanese guides). One guide from another travel agency, after finishing the Toyosu auction and Tsukiji tour at 8:00 just like [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), continued on to conduct a Tsukiji tour for another group from 8:30 (likely about three hours, including places such as Honganji Temple). Guiding Tsukiji as a separate tour after Toyosu in this way struck me as efficient, so I would be delighted if [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) would consider arranging two consecutive tours in a similar manner.
Click here for more details: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Shijomae Station / Toei Bus～Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus | 210JPY |
| Total | 210JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel in Asakusa at 05:00, and the tour finished at a beer bar in the Tsukiji Outer Market at 08:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours in total, from 05:00 to 08:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Watch the tuna auction and Stroll through the Tsukiji Outer Market.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 210JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Toru is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello, I am Toru, a certified National Guide. I have been guiding since 2017, primarily in the Tokyo area, which includes Hakone, Kamakura, and Yokohama. To make your stay in Japan unforgettable, I always discuss a tour plan with my guests via email before their arrival. Please share your preferences, including the places you’d like to visit and the experiences you’d like to try during your stay in Tokyo. If this is your first visit to Japan, I’m excited to help make your time in Tokyo even more enjoyable by suggesting sample itineraries and offering travel tips.
For more information about me, please visit my profile site.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/hello-welcome-to-japan/
For your reference, please feel free to visit my blog, which features popular sightseeing spots and interesting experiences.
https://japan-cultural-traditional-experience.com/
I look forward to meeting you soon!
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru was an AMAZING host and tour guide. He went above and beyond with communication prior, during, and after to make sure my Son and I had an incredible experience. He was unbelievably knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we wanted as well. The sushi breakfast was unreal! Learning all about both Toyosu and Tsukiji markets was an experience we will never forget. 10 out of 10 for sure!!
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…
Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
This was our first time visiting a fish market, and from the time we booked the experience, Toru-san has been amazing. He helped us get to Toyosu market, where the tuna auction takes place, at the right time to get the best views and explained everything about how the auction works and made sure we didn’t miss anything. (You will need a knowledgeable tour guide because everything happens so fast and you might miss it!) We learned so much during such a short time about how the delicious tuna you eat at a sushi restaurant ends up in front of you. After the auction Toru-san took us to Okame, a great sushi restaurant, where we got to experience delicious sushi breakfast. Our next stop was Tsukiji market, and again we got to try all sorts of food and learn more about the market and got to meet some of the vendors. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. If you are interested in cooking, Japanese cuisine, or know someone home, this tour will give you the opportunity to do some shopping for unique souvenirs.
We had to get to Toyosu market before 5 am, and while you might think it’s too early, but why not do something fun and delicious with your jetlag? It was so worth it and I’m glad we chose to spend our first morning in Tokyo with Toru-san. The other advantage of being so early was that the market was not as crowded and we got to enjoy our time without having to wait in line.
Thank you, Toru-san!
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…
Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
The tour was great. We got to learn a lot about sushi and really enjoyed our time in the
market as well.
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was…
May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was a fantastic guide and made our experience one to remember. He picked us up
from the hotel and clearly knew how to be there early to get a good view. He also took us to
a delicious sushi place thereafter which the whole family enjoyed.