Tokyo: Reception for the special tour — Guide Toru
December, 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 main gate of Toyosu Market (fresh fish)
- 05:05 Reception for the special tour
- 05:15 Advance explanation of the auction
- 05:45 Watch the fresh tuna auction up close from the special viewing floor
- 06:16 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
- 07:10
Title: What Is a Private Toyosu Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Market Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a family group visiting Japan, with some members residing in Oceania and others in North America. In their emails before the tour, they had requested a special viewing to observe the tuna auction up close, so I introduced them to the Tokyo lottery application website and had them apply as a party of five including myself as the guide. They won the lottery, so they were able to enjoy the powerful auction from a distance of about two meters. The sight of a large number of glistening fresh tuna lined up was spectacular, and the guests were deeply impressed. At the general fish market on the opposite side of the auction area, large quantities of yellowtail were being sold in preparation for New Year, and when I explained that yellowtail, a fish known for changing names as it grows, is welcomed at New Year, they found the concept of such fish fascinating.
After the auction viewing, I guided them to a sushi restaurant inside the market, where they enjoyed a sushi breakfast. Each member of the group enjoyed different options, such as an all-tuna set, a themed omakase, and the restaurant's recommended sushi. One of the guests who had the all-tuna set was delighted, saying it was the most delicious tuna they had ever tasted.
At a wholesaler in the Tsukiji Outer Market, a TV crew happened to be filming the butchering of a tuna, and the guests were able to watch a fresh tuna of around 200 kilograms being cut. At a shop dealing in dried goods for making dashi stock, they sampled the dashi and purchased packs of the dashi they liked.
The Tokyo special auction viewing website has a confusing structure, and the guests tried to apply many times. On each occasion, I explained the process by email, and they were able to successfully complete the lottery application. Because they won after all that effort, they shared the winning email with me with great excitement and looked forward to viewing the auction. Thanks to this, I feel it was good that I was able to build a good relationship with the guests before the tour.
Since I have experienced the special viewing several times in the past, they thanked me and said that my help with the advance application and the explanations on the day were greatly appreciated.
Also, since visitors are guided to the special viewing area in order of arrival on the day, I proposed meeting at Toyosu Market at 5:00 when the reception opens, and the guests kindly cooperated, so we were able to secure the very best pole position, which they were pleased with.
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 | Toyosu Market / Toei Bus～Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus | 210JPY |
| Total | 210JPY | ||
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.