Tokyo: Observe the tuna auction & Tsukiji — Guide Toru
January, 2026
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 in front of the Toyosu Market main gate
- 05:00-05:30 Explanation of related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers in advance
- 05:30-06:00 Observe the tuna auction
- 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
- 07:00-07:15 Move to Tsukiji
- 07:15-08:00 Stroll around the Tsukiji inner market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
Title: What's a Private Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest visited Japan from North America and, before joining others for skiing in Hokkaido, came to Tokyo alone to enjoy three days of sightseeing. The guest had once worked on a fishing boat harvesting salmon and black cod, and is now retired and enjoys fishing privately. Because of this, the guest had a strong interest in fish and observed the unique auctions and other trading at Toyosu Market with great fascination. The auction in particular is a business custom found only in Japan, and the guest was amazed at how different it was from seafood trading in North America.
At the Tsukiji Outer Market, I spent most of the time guiding around the intermediary wholesaler shops, helping the guest understand how sushi chefs source their ingredients for the day. The guest was especially moved by how beautiful the cross-section of large blocks of fresh tuna looked. At a shop dealing in dried goods for making dashi, I had the guest taste three kinds of dashi, and the guest purchased a standard dashi pack, excited about making dashi at the hotel to warm up after skiing in Hokkaido. Since the guest had once harvested black cod, I guided the guest to a restaurant known for delicious saikyo-marinated black cod, where the guest enjoyed a freshly grilled fillet of black cod with dry sake.
After the auction, the guest enjoyed a sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu. The guest was very satisfied with all the sushi and finished with two extra pieces (sea urchin and eel). During the auction viewing, the guest hit it off with some other visitors from North America and Oceania, inviting them by saying, "Toru is going to take me to a delicious sushi place now — come along!" In the end, a group of five enjoyed sushi together in a lively atmosphere, which delighted the guest. The guest was very friendly, and I was able to guide with a smile throughout.
It was a windy day, so I thought walking outside might be a little tough, but the guest joined the tour cheerfully. Since I had shared the expected temperature and wind chill the day before, the guest came dressed warmly enough.
The number of tuna today was the smallest I had ever seen, and the auction finished in half the usual time. There was especially little fresh tuna, and when I asked a sushi chef, he said a major wholesaler had mentioned that "fresh tuna catches were poor." It seemed the reduced supply was not simply because it was a weekend, but likely because a cold wave had made the Sea of Japan side rough and prevented boats from going out. Understanding this kind of weather information in advance was a good lesson, as it helps guests understand the realities of coastal tuna fishing in Japan.
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 | ||
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.