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 reception
- 05:00 – 05:35 Explanation of the tuna auction process from the general observation floor
- 05:35 – 05:45 Explanation of advance precautions by market staff
- 05:45 – 06:10 Observe the tuna auction from the special observation floor
- 06:10 – 06:50 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
- 06:50 – 07:05 Move to Tsukiji Outer Market
- 07:05 – 08:00 Stroll around Tsukiji Outer Market
What Is a Private Toyosu Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. They chatted happily together, though one of the guests unfortunately could not enjoy sushi due to a lack of appetite. Still, by the time we reached Tsukiji they had recovered, and I was relieved to see them enjoying strawberries.
This time we won the lottery and were able to go down to the special observation floor to watch the tuna auction. Since the lottery application allows up to five people, the guests applied for their group and I applied for my own spot separately. I thought it might be difficult for both to win, but we did win, and a familiar market staff member kindly allowed all six of us to be combined into one group, so I was able to secure a good viewing spot and guide them well. Some of the guests had watched the Tsukiji tuna auction 17 years ago and were very much looking forward to seeing the auction with the latest facilities this time. They were delighted, saying, "At Tsukiji you could watch the auction up close, but at Toyosu, Toru explained how the auctioneers keep each other in check while looking down from above, so it was dynamic and fun, like a live broadcast."
At the sushi restaurant after the auction, some of the guests enjoyed a full course of tuna and were impressed by how the taste differed depending on the cut. The others each ordered their favorites, such as salmon and eel, and were satisfied.
At Toyosu it turned into a "sweets tour" for the group. We shared strawberry skewers and large freshly grilled mitarashi dango as a family, bringing a lively end to the tour.
One of the guests initially felt unwell due to jet lag, and I had even considered pausing the tour, but with attentive care they began to smile around the time we were strolling through Tsukiji, which reassured me. When they ordered strawberry skewers at the end of the tour, their expression brightened, and it made me happy as a guide when they said "Arigato" and shook my hand at the end.
This time the special observation floor was also more than half occupied by an inspection delegation from Europe, so I was worried about securing the best remaining position. However, one of the guests cooperated with me to secure a spot, and the rest of the group followed along carefully, so we were able to watch the auction right in front of us. Recently there is always an inspection delegation guided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, so securing a viewing spot on the special observation floor has become quite difficult. On the special observation floor you cannot always see the auction clearly, so personally I think guests enjoy the experience more when I explain what is happening on the floor with a live feel while viewing the whole scene from the general floor. Since guests come having seen images and videos online that capture the best moments, their expectations for the special observation floor are high, which makes it a difficult balance.
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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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.