Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market — Guide Toru
March, 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 at Toyosu Market, special tour registration
- 05:00 – 05:35 Explanation of the tuna auction process from the general viewing floor
- 05:35 – 05:45 Explanation of precautions in advance by market staff
- 05:45 – 06:10 Watch the tuna auction from the special viewing floor
- 06:10 – 06:50 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant in Toyosu Market
- 06:50 – 07:05 Move to Tsukiji Outer Market
- 07:05 – 08:00 Stroll around Tsukiji Outer Market
Title: What's a Private Tsukiji and Toyosu Tuna Market Tour Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions on the day The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although they had just arrived in Japan the day before, they gathered five minutes earlier than scheduled. Thanks to this, we were able to get an early-numbered ticket and secure a good viewing position, which pleased them. However, by the time we were guided to the special viewing deck (around 5:50), most of the fresh tuna auction had already finished, so it turned out to be an experience with less of a live atmosphere.
At the sushi restaurant, everyone in the group ordered the "all-tuna course" and enjoyed lean tuna (akami), medium fatty tuna (chutoro), premium fatty tuna (otoro), marinated tuna (zuke), seared tuna (aburi), scraped tuna gunkan, negitoro gunkan, and a tuna roll (tekkamaki). They were amazed at the differences in taste and texture depending on the cut of tuna, and happily shared their impressions with one another, saying things like "I like the zuke best" and "I prefer the chutoro."
In Tsukiji, they bought wasabi-related ingredients at a wholesaler's shop and purchased matcha for making matcha lattes at a specialty tea shop. Since it was cold, they showed more interest in warm food than in seafood, and the group shared and enjoyed piping-hot roasted sweet potatoes and freshly grilled mochi prepared right in front of them.
2. Other impressions, notes, and requests The viewing on the special observation floor starts around 5:50, so the fresh tuna auction that begins at 5:30 is often nearly over or already finished. I think guests would enjoy it more if they watched the frozen tuna auction from beginning to end from the general floor. In particular, when there are visitors invited by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the special viewing floor, half of the floor—especially the half closest to the fresh tuna—is occupied for them, resulting in a situation where the auction is almost impossible to see. Going forward, for guests who wish to enter the lottery for the special viewing floor, I would like to explain this current situation so that they can carefully consider whether or not to participate in the lottery.
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!
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
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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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.