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 the hotel
- 05:30 Tour the tuna auction at Toyosu Market
- 06:00 Breakfast at a sushi restaurant
- 07:10 Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji Outer Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at hotel at 05:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 08:00. The day ran to 3 hours from start to finish. It included breakfast at a sushi restaurant at 06:00.
The itinerary covered tuna auction at Toyosu Market at 05:30 and Tsukiji Outer Market at 07:10.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shijomae Station by bus (210JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 210JPY per person.
What Is an Early-Morning Private Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour experience, guest reactions, and other impressions The guests were a group who got along very well. They were kind enough to wait in the lobby earlier than our meeting time, so we set off immediately after meeting and were able to arrive at Toyosu Fish Market a little after 5 a.m. Thanks to this, we secured a good spot for viewing the tuna auction, and the guests enjoyed taking many photos and videos. After watching the auction, I guided the group to a sushi restaurant inside the market that I know well, where they had breakfast. Since I had heard in advance that one of the guests could not eat rice, I asked the head chef beforehand to prepare an assortment of sashimi centered on tuna, which delighted the guest. Another guest thoroughly enjoyed an omakase sushi course and was very pleased. Since most shops in the Tsukiji Outer Market open after 8 a.m., I marked recommended shops on a map as I guided the group. After 8 a.m., they planned to revisit the shops that caught their interest (yakitori at Toritoh, grilled tuna skewers at Tombo, fish cakes at Hamato, and so on) and enjoy them with beer. One of the guests was interested in kitchen knives, so I guided them to three knife shops, and they finally purchased a knife with a Damascus pattern at Higashi Genmasahisa, and were very satisfied. The attached photo captures a satisfied smile taken after shopping at the knife shop.
2. Special notes and requests to Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) I had recommended in advance that the guests reserve a taxi, but it seems they forgot to make the reservation, so we ended up looking for a taxi near the Hotel. Perhaps because many taxis were returning to their depots at that hour, three taxis refused to pick us up (passing right in front of us), and I regret that I kept the guests waiting for a while in the cold early morning until a taxi could be found. As temperatures will drop further heading into winter, I will be careful to explain this situation in advance by email and strongly recommend reserving a taxi.
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 | Shijomae Station / Toei Bus～Tsukiji 6-chome / Toei Bus | 210JPY |
| Total | 210JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 05:00, and the tour finished at Tsukiji Outer Market at 08:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours in total, from 05:00 to 08:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited tuna auction at Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Outer Market.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 210JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Toru is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
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
All the temples and…
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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.