Tokyo: Observe the tuna auction — Guide Toru

What Is a Toyosu Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Market Private Morning Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

1. The tour and the guests' reactions The guests were a group from North America. One of them worked in the food industry, and they had chosen to watch the tuna auction on their first day in Japan. Since they requested to observe the Japanese fish market and auction in detail, I proposed meeting at the main gate of Toyosu Market to save tour time, which they kindly accepted. Thanks to this, we were able to secure the best spot (right above the place where the frozen tuna auction begins first), allowing them to watch the tuna auction up close, and they were deeply impressed. One of the guests mentioned not being very fond of sushi, but was encouraged with the words "Japanese sushi is completely different from sushi in North America," and tried a sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside the market. This guest remarked on sensing the professionalism in the brisk movements of the chef preparing the sushi right in front of them, and was moved by how delicious it was. They were amazed, saying "I had never eaten real sushi until now," and told me "I have come to love sushi." While eating, they enjoyed themselves greatly, asking the chef about nikiri sauce and more. At the Tsukiji Outer Market, I showed them the wholesale shops, and we were lucky enough to pass in front of a shop just as they were about to break down a fresh tuna, so they were able to see a fresh tuna right before their eyes, which delighted them. At a shop selling dried goods for dashi, they sampled three types of dashi packets, bought two of them, and looked forward to making miso soup back home. Finally, I guided them to a knife specialty shop, where one purchased a santoku knife for their own cooking, and another bought a meat-cutting knife as a souvenir, and they seemed very satisfied.

2. Other impressions, notes, and requests to JGA In early December the volume of tuna at auction had decreased, but toward the end of the year a large quantity of tuna is put up for auction for the New Year, and I believe it was the largest volume of tuna auction I had ever guided. As a result, the auction was more lively than usual, and I found myself guiding with some excitement of my own. Since a request for tourists to refrain from visiting had just been issued for the Tsukiji Outer Market, I explained this situation to the guests, gained their understanding, and guided them through the outer market. However, perhaps because it was an early morning visit, there were few shoppers, and we were able to stroll around with ease. That said, the number of general shoppers seemed larger than usual, so I imagine it probably became crowded after 9:00. In that sense, I felt that ending the tour at 8:00 was good timing. It turned out that one of the guests had worked in the same location abroad during the same period as my own time working overseas, and we first hit it off talking about local cuisine there, so we were able to begin the tour in a very friendly atmosphere. For me too, it was a fun tour that brought back nostalgic memories of that cuisine.

Click here for more details: Toyosu Tuna Auction & Tsukiji Local Food Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Toru

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.

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