Tokyo: Tsukiji — Guide Toru
September, 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
- 05:05 Present the lottery results at the Information Center to obtain the admission ticket for the special observation floor
- 05:05-05:30 Explanation of related information such as tuna fishing methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers in advance
- 05:30-05:40 Preliminary explanation from market staff
- 05:40-06:10 Observe the fresh tuna auction
- 06:10-07:00 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
A Private Tokyo Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour: What Is It Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who were traveling in Japan. They had arrived from overseas the night before the tour, and due to jet lag they had stayed awake at their hotel until early morning before joining the tour. They were both cheerful and talked happily about many things, which made for a lively tour. Since they had won a lottery in advance, they were able to observe the fresh tuna auction from a special viewing floor. Watching the large quantity of glossy, black fresh tuna lined up, they said it was "very beautiful and gorgeous," and took many photos and videos.
At the sushi restaurant after the auction, they enjoyed a "tuna feast" and savored the differences in flavor among the various cuts. One of the guests seemed especially fond of the chutoro (medium fatty tuna); the moment it was placed in their mouth, their eyes opened wide and they were moved, saying "it melted on my tongue."
At the Tsukiji Outer Market, they seemed to enjoy the strawberry daifuku, and were delighted, saying "Japanese strawberries have a more delicate flavor than the ones back home." A notable stop on the tour was the Tsukiji Outer Market. Tsukiji Outer Market is a lively district in Tokyo lined with hundreds of small shops and stalls selling fresh seafood, produce, kitchen tools, and a wide variety of prepared foods and snacks. Even after the inner wholesale market relocated, the outer market remains a popular destination where visitors can sample street food, watch skilled vendors at work, and experience the energy of one of Tokyo's most famous food areas.
Click here for more details: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide
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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All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…
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.