Tokyo: Tsukiji — Guide Toru
February, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 05:00 Meet in front of the main gate of Toyosu Market
- 05:00-05:30 Explanation of related information such as tuna capture 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 through the Tsukiji Outer Market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
What Is an Early Morning Tsukiji Fish Market and Tuna Auction Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions on the day This became a large gathering of a group of guests residing in North America. Although they had only arrived in Japan the previous evening, everyone cheerfully joined the tour from 5:00 in the early morning. Today there were many fresh tuna up for auction, and I was able to let them observe the lively bidding. As everyone tried to read the hand signals of the intermediary wholesalers indicating the bid prices, they happily called out, "Ah, 5,000 yen, and this one is 6,000 yen."
At the sushi breakfast after the auction, everyone ordered various different sushi sets and shared them while talking about which was the most delicious. In particular, they split into fans of lean tuna, medium-fatty tuna, and marinated tuna, and enjoyed a fun discussion about which was tastier. One of the guests was not fond of the smell of fish, so I informed the head chef in advance, and he prepared a "kanpyo roll" that is not usually on the menu, allowing that guest to enjoy sushi together with everyone. I am grateful for the head chef's spirit of hospitality.
At Tsukiji, they viewed the seafood at the intermediary wholesalers' shops and enjoyed the atmosphere, which was different from markets in North America. After that, since they were interested in Japanese kitchen knives, I took them to a recommended knife shop, where they purchased a Japanese knife. Finally, we bought warm drinks at a café that John Lennon frequented, and the tour came to an end.
2. Other impressions It was a cold day with a snowfall forecast, so strolling around Tsukiji was a bit challenging. However, everyone joined the tour cheerfully and energetically until the end, which made it a joyful tour for me as a guide. The Tsukiji outer market in the early Saturday morning had fewer people, so we could stroll at a relaxed pace. I would have liked them to try more foods if possible, but since they had just arrived in Japan and were still jet-lagged, they wished to return to the hotel early. So, in response to their request, after guiding them to Japanese knives and strawberry daifuku, we strolled a bit around the market and concluded the tour.
3. Special notes and requests A guide from another tour company was handing out intercoms to the guests and explaining the auction to them by radio. This time, guiding a group of guests, it was a bit difficult to explain in a way that reached everyone, so I thought this intercom method was a good idea. I would like to consider whether something similar could be done using a smartphone. If [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) has any ideas, please let me know.
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!
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru…
Sep 25, 2026
robert_s
Fantastic experience!
Viator review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a tour booked with Toru yesterday. He was extremely prompt and detailed with the meeting spot well in advance and he was precisely on time at 450 am to meet us at the designated site. He was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He took us to have sushi after the auction and then we took a bus to the outer Tsukiji market and we saw all the things that we typically like to explore at markets. Toru we would recommend as a superb guide, without reservation, and in the highest possible terms. Great morning!
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
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Our travel date for this tour…
Sep 24, 2026
Pamela_S
Ask for Toru!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our travel date for this tour came during Silver Week so sites were definitely crowded, but our guide, Toru, created an itinerary that allowed us to see the places we wanted to experience in an enjoyable way. We had no problems communicating with Toru during the lead up to the trip and he was so considerate of our wishes. Toru also shared a wealth of information about Japan and the spots we visited. The personal attention on this tour was such a welcomed change from the packed bus tours we had been on with our cruise excursions and the cost wasn’t any different! Thank you, Toru, for a wonderful, enlightening experience in Tokyo!
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the…
Sep 13, 2026
S4579HLmaxf
An unforgettable morning at Toyosu
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
Outstanding experience at the Toyosu tuna auction with Toru as our guide! From the start, Toru was incredibly clear with his instructions, making sure we arrived at exactly the right spots at the right times and giving us all the accurate details we needed to take part in the first-floor viewing lottery. As an English speaker, I really appreciated how easy he made the whole process — navigating the auction logistics on your own could be confusing, but Toru unlocked the full experience for us.
After the auction, we sat down for a sushi breakfast where we got to try every part of the tuna. It was hands down the best sushi I’ve ever had, and having Toru explain each piece as we went made it so much more than just a meal — it was a genuine education in tuna and how the market works. His knowledge of Toyosu (and Tsukiji, which we explored together afterward) was clearly deep and came from real passion for the subject.
Toru was kind, patient, and generous with his expertise the entire time. This tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip, and I can’t recommend him highly enough to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants a real, insider look at the tuna auction and market culture. Five stars, without hesitation.
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
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Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.