Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market — Guide Toru
December, 2025
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 Watch the tuna auction at Toyosu Market
- 06:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
- 07:00 Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji Outer Market
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Market Morning Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guest's reactions The guest was a visitor from North America who came to Tokyo to enjoy watching the tuna auction before returning home, after traveling on their own to Hiroshima, the Kansai region, Kanazawa, and Shirakawa-go. The guest often visits fish markets back home and was looking forward to seeing how Japanese fish markets differ. The guest was amazed at how the tuna auction proceeded swiftly and without delay, and was impressed to learn that the tuna lined up on the floor are auctioned off five days a week, every day. For breakfast at a sushi restaurant after the auction, the guest enjoyed the chef's recommended nigiri sushi and was delighted at how different both the taste and the price were compared to home. In particular, the guest mentioned that real wasabi is expensive back home and that a fake wasabi made from horseradish with green coloring is common, so they were moved by the freshly grated wasabi. At Tsukiji Market, the guest very much enjoyed strolling through the intermediate wholesaler shops and was happy to be able to see a truly Japanese-style fish market. Finally, the guest took away some yakitori from Toritoh and cheerfully said they would bring it back to the Hotel to have for lunch.
2. Other impressions and notes The guest was very friendly, and I also enjoyed chatting about many things during the tour. The guest was a big fan of the Blue Jays baseball team and said it was frustrating that they lost the World Series to the Dodgers, the team of Shohei Ohtani. When I shared stories about Ohtani's high school days and how the Fighters accepted his two-way play, the guest listened with great interest, and we had an enjoyable conversation throughout the tour. Thanks to Ohtani! (laughs)
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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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.