Tokyo: Observe the tuna auction & Tsukiji — Guide Toru
February, 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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 05:00 Meet in front of the main gate of Toyosu Market
- 05:00-05:30 Explanation of related information such as tuna capture methods, how the auction proceeds, collection methods, and the roles of wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers in advance
- 05:30-06:00 Observe 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 through the Tsukiji Outer Market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
What Is an Early Morning Tsukiji Fish Market and Tuna Auction Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions on the day This became a large gathering of a group of guests residing in North America. Although they had only arrived in Japan the previous evening, everyone cheerfully joined the tour from 5:00 in the early morning. Today there were many fresh tuna up for auction, and I was able to let them observe the lively bidding. As everyone tried to read the hand signals of the intermediary wholesalers indicating the bid prices, they happily called out, "Ah, 5,000 yen, and this one is 6,000 yen."
At the sushi breakfast after the auction, everyone ordered various different sushi sets and shared them while talking about which was the most delicious. In particular, they split into fans of lean tuna, medium-fatty tuna, and marinated tuna, and enjoyed a fun discussion about which was tastier. One of the guests was not fond of the smell of fish, so I informed the head chef in advance, and he prepared a "kanpyo roll" that is not usually on the menu, allowing that guest to enjoy sushi together with everyone. I am grateful for the head chef's spirit of hospitality.
At Tsukiji, they viewed the seafood at the intermediary wholesalers' shops and enjoyed the atmosphere, which was different from markets in North America. After that, since they were interested in Japanese kitchen knives, I took them to a recommended knife shop, where they purchased a Japanese knife. Finally, we bought warm drinks at a café that John Lennon frequented, and the tour came to an end.
2. Other impressions It was a cold day with a snowfall forecast, so strolling around Tsukiji was a bit challenging. However, everyone joined the tour cheerfully and energetically until the end, which made it a joyful tour for me as a guide. The Tsukiji outer market in the early Saturday morning had fewer people, so we could stroll at a relaxed pace. I would have liked them to try more foods if possible, but since they had just arrived in Japan and were still jet-lagged, they wished to return to the hotel early. So, in response to their request, after guiding them to Japanese knives and strawberry daifuku, we strolled a bit around the market and concluded the tour.
3. Special notes and requests A guide from another tour company was handing out intercoms to the guests and explaining the auction to them by radio. This time, guiding a group of guests, it was a bit difficult to explain in a way that reached everyone, so I thought this intercom method was a good idea. I would like to consider whether something similar could be done using a smartphone. If [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) has any ideas, please let me know.
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!
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru…
July 2, 2026
David S
Tripadvisor : Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Incredible experience at the Markets!
Toru was an AMAZING host and tour guide. He went above and beyond with communication prior, during, and after to make sure my Son and I had an incredible experience. He was unbelievably knowledgeable and catered the tour to what we wanted as well. The sushi breakfast was unreal! Learning all about both Toyosu and Tsukiji markets was an experience we will never forget. 10 out of 10 for sure!!
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 6, 2026
meltemg957
Unique experience with a highly knowledgeable guide
Tripadvisor review: Toyosu Market Morning Tuna Auction and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
This was our first time visiting a fish market, and from the time we booked the experience, Toru-san has been amazing. He helped us get to Toyosu market, where the tuna auction takes place, at the right time to get the best views and explained everything about how the auction works and made sure we didn’t miss anything. (You will need a knowledgeable tour guide because everything happens so fast and you might miss it!) We learned so much during such a short time about how the delicious tuna you eat at a sushi restaurant ends up in front of you. After the auction Toru-san took us to Okame, a great sushi restaurant, where we got to experience delicious sushi breakfast. Our next stop was Tsukiji market, and again we got to try all sorts of food and learn more about the market and got to meet some of the vendors. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. If you are interested in cooking, Japanese cuisine, or know someone home, this tour will give you the opportunity to do some shopping for unique souvenirs.
We had to get to Toyosu market before 5 am, and while you might think it’s too early, but why not do something fun and delicious with your jetlag? It was so worth it and I’m glad we chose to spend our first morning in Tokyo with Toru-san. The other advantage of being so early was that the market was not as crowded and we got to enjoy our time without having to wait in line.
Thank you, Toru-san!
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…
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 and Tsukiji Food Tour with Licensed Guide
The tour was great. We got to learn a lot about sushi and really enjoyed our time in the
market as well.
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…
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 a fantastic guide and made our experience one to remember. He picked us up
from the hotel and clearly knew how to be there early to get a good view. He also took us to
a delicious sushi place thereafter which the whole family enjoyed.