Tokyo: Tsukiji — Guide Toru
January, 2026
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 in front of the main gate of Toyosu Market
- 05:00-05:30 In advance, we will explain related information such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of primary and intermediate wholesalers
- 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 around Tsukiji Inner Market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
What's a Private Tsukiji Fish Market and Sushi Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guest was a visitor from North America who joined a private tour focused on Tokyo's fish market. A fishing enthusiast, the guest planned to enjoy sightseeing in Japan before continuing to another destination for several days of fishing. With a deep love of fish, the guest was very interested in Japanese fish markets and joined the tour with great enthusiasm. Since the guest was fond of fishing, I explained longline fishing methods, the on-board bleeding and preservation techniques for tuna, and other details before the tuna auction began. In particular, when I explained that if the longlines are reeled in too quickly the tuna thrash about and their body temperature rises, degrading the quality of the meat, so the fishermen deliberately spend about ten hours reeling them in, the guest said, "Wow, it makes sense!! Incredible," and was moved by the delicate way Japanese fishermen handle their fish. Watching a single tuna auctioned off in about five seconds and then promptly loaded onto a turret truck, the guest was also amazed by the systematic nature of the Japanese auction.
After observing the auction, the guest enjoyed a sushi breakfast at a restaurant within the market. Since the request was to try sushi toppings not seen in North America, I asked the head chef to recommend some, and he prepared ark shell and cod milt. Both offered a texture and flavor new to the guest, who seemed greatly satisfied. Golden eye snapper, which is not eaten as sushi in North America, was also very well received.
At the Tsukiji Outer Market, the guest enjoyed strolling among the intermediate wholesalers. Smiling as they looked at all the fresh fish on display, the guest said, "This kind of market atmosphere is wonderful," and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Since the guest also cooks and was interested in Japanese knives, I guided them to my recommended knife shop. After careful consideration while listening to the shop staff's explanations, the guest purchased a kiritsuke knife, which can handle a wide range of ingredients such as sashimi and vegetables and can serve the roles of both a yanagiba and an usuba knife. The attached photos show a beaming smile in front of the knife shop after the purchase, and a delighted smile after being thoroughly satisfied with the sushi. Because the guest repeatedly exclaimed "Oishii" to the head chef of the sushi restaurant, the chef happily cooperated in taking a photo with a smile.
The guest was also moved by the deliciousness of the dashi sampled at a dried goods shop, purchased dashi packs, and said, "I'm looking forward to making dashi back home." The guest also compared fresh oysters from Iwate and Akkeshi, enjoying the different flavors of each.
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.