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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 5:00 Meet at the hotel
  • 5:30 Tuna auction viewing at Toyosu Market
  • 6:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
  • 7:10 Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market
  • 8:00 Disband at the Outer Market

Title: What's a Private Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Outer Market Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. They stayed at a hotel about a 10-minute taxi ride from Toyosu Market, so we were able to arrive relatively early and secure a spot with a good view of the auction. The guests watched the tuna auction with great interest and said they enjoyed it very much.

They were delighted to eat sushi at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market, smiling with every piece they ate, and the guide was able to share in their happiness. One of the guests especially liked the dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet).

At the Tsukiji Outer Market, they observed the wholesale shops of the fish market, and there was a shop displaying fresh tuna out front, allowing them to see a 200 kg-class fresh tuna up close. They were also able to watch live fish being brought in, and I believe they got a real sense of fresh seafood trading. They took an interest in dashi as well, and after a tasting at a specialty dashi shop, they bought a set to make their own dashi soy sauce. Since they wanted to take their time choosing kitchen knives after the tour, I introduced a few knife shops, briefly explained the characteristics of Japanese knives, and ended the tour.

Regarding one point to note: the guests had just arrived in Japan the previous evening and had not prepared any cash, so the guide covered the bus fare, and they withdrew cash at an ATM in Tsukiji to reimburse me. Not only for the bus, but many shops in Tsukiji still accept cash only, so I reflected that I should have told them in advance to prepare cash. From next time, I will be sure to tell guests in the pre-tour email to prepare cash.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusToyosu Market/Toei Bus~Tsukiji 6-chome/Toei Bus210JPY
Total210JPY

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.
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I look forward to meeting you soon!

July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…

Jun 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide…

Jun 4, 2026
bluejerky1
Turo was knowledgeable and the tour was fun and fun and informative. Highly recommend.
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction…

May 29, 2026
Eva P
Fabulous experience with Toru!
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Toru was…