Tokyo: Tsukiji — Guide Toru
October, 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 Show the lottery results at the Information Center to obtain admission tickets for the special observation floor
- 05:05-05:30 In advance, explain related information such as tuna fishing methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
- 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 Tsukiji inner market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
【当日のツアールート】欄や【ガイド様交通費】欄などの情報が含まれていないため、以下は本文欄の翻訳結果です。
Title: What Is a Private Tokyo Toyosu and Tsukiji Fish Market Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan from Asia, and the tour had been booked in advance for them. Beforehand, the arrangements were coordinated with me by email, and we were fortunate to win a lottery spot for a special viewing floor, which brought us to today. Because I had previously spent six years based in Asia, we quickly found common ground after meeting, and the conversation flowed warmly, allowing us to start the tour in a friendly atmosphere.
One of the guests was knowledgeable about the differences between chilled and frozen techniques and their impact on the quality of seafood, and was impressed that the method of flash-freezing on board at minus 60 degrees is the best technique for preserving quality over the long term. Both of them were very impressed by how speedy and well-organized the auction was. One of the guests remarked how beautiful the fresh tuna looked and took many photos.
At the sushi restaurant after the auction, the guests were familiar with specific sushi restaurants in their home region, so they enjoyed the fresh sushi while comparing the differences. While visiting the intermediate wholesalers at the Tsukiji Outer Market, the guests admired how different it was from the markets back home, noting how clean and lively it felt.
A notable stop on the tour was the Tsukiji Outer Market. The Tsukiji Outer Market is a bustling district lined with hundreds of shops and stalls selling fresh seafood, produce, kitchenware, and street food. Although the famous wholesale auctions moved to the Toyosu Market, the outer market remains a popular destination where visitors can experience the atmosphere of a traditional Tokyo food market and sample a wide variety of Japanese culinary specialties.
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.