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 catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of primary and intermediate wholesalers in advance
- 05:30-06:00 Watch 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 inner market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
Title: What Is a Private Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report The guest came to Japan from North America and was traveling solo as a keen traveler. A guide from a separate tour the previous day had told the guest that "Toyosu Market isn't interesting because you can't enter the tuna auction floor," and the guest messaged me beforehand saying, "Can I only watch the auction through glass? If so, I'm a little disappointed." I replied that although no one can go down to the auction floor now for sanitary reasons, from the third-floor observation deck you can look down over the whole scene through the glass, watching the wholesalers competing with one another to gather intermediary buyers and the buyers signaling their bids by hand, so I thought it would still be enjoyable. The guest simply replied, "Ok, I'll join then." On the day, I was worried whether the guest would be pleased, but they were moved by the spectacular sight of a huge quantity of tuna lined up on the auction floor, and were also satisfied to capture good photos and videos from a great angle when an auction began right at their feet. In the end they told me, "You were right, this was a very interesting experience in its own way," and I was relieved. After the auction, the guest enjoyed a "tuna feast" at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market. They savored lean tuna, medium-fatty tuna, fatty tuna, seared medium-fatty tuna, scraped tuna, and a tuna roll, and enjoyed how the flavor differs depending on the cut and preparation. Photography is prohibited at the Tsukiji Uogashi in the Tsukiji Outer Market, but at an intermediary wholesaler I know well (a conger eel specialist and a tuna specialist), I bought simmered conger eel and tuna trimmings for my own lunch and then negotiated with the shops to obtain permission for the guest to take photos. The tuna wholesaler happened to be filleting fresh tuna at that moment, so the guest was delighted to be specially allowed to take great photos. (I enjoyed the conger eel rice bowl at home as well, so being able to satisfy both the guest and my household left me content too, ha.) The guest was interested in kitchen knives, so I took them to a Japanese knife shop I know well. They happily purchased one santoku Japanese knife for themselves and two petty-knife-type Japanese knives as souvenirs, and were very pleased. It is currently strawberry season in Japan, and I explained that agricultural experiment stations in various prefectures have recently developed new varieties, putting many delicious kinds on the market, which interested the guest. So at the end of the tour I had them try "Tochiaika" and a white strawberry variety. They were amazed at how completely different and delicious they were compared to strawberries back home, and the tour ended with a full smile. A staff member at the Japanese knife shop I know well told me: "It's so gratifying when freelance licensed guide-interpreters bring customers to our shop. They properly explain the history and tradition, such as the swordsmiths and knives and why long knives for tuna became necessary, and they bring customers who are interested in such things, which makes us want to explain thoroughly too. Lately, with tours that just bring tourists to Tsukiji for casual food sampling, people only take photos in front of the shop and don't understand the value of Japanese knives at all, which is exhausting. Especially for a shop whose customers include professional chefs, it's a bit of a nuisance." I was grateful to hear this appreciation. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures, and I understand that guides for Toyosu tours receive prior training. I would appreciate it if such voices from the Tsukiji field could be shared in that training, as I believe it would further raise the value of licensed guide-interpreters. Thank you for your consideration.
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…
Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.
