Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market — Guide Toru
March, 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 at Toyosu Market, special tour registration
- 05:00 – 05:35 Explanation of the tuna auction process from the general viewing floor
- 05:35 – 05:45 Explanation of precautions in advance by market staff
- 05:45 – 06:10 Watch the tuna auction from the special viewing floor
- 06:10 – 06:50 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant in Toyosu Market
- 06:50 – 07:05 Move to Tsukiji Outer Market
- 07:05 – 08:00 Stroll around Tsukiji Outer Market
Title: What's a Private Tsukiji and Toyosu Tuna Market Tour Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The tour and the guests' reactions on the day The guests were a group visiting from North America. Although they had just arrived in Japan the day before, they gathered five minutes earlier than scheduled. Thanks to this, we were able to get an early-numbered ticket and secure a good viewing position, which pleased them. However, by the time we were guided to the special viewing deck (around 5:50), most of the fresh tuna auction had already finished, so it turned out to be an experience with less of a live atmosphere.
At the sushi restaurant, everyone in the group ordered the "all-tuna course" and enjoyed lean tuna (akami), medium fatty tuna (chutoro), premium fatty tuna (otoro), marinated tuna (zuke), seared tuna (aburi), scraped tuna gunkan, negitoro gunkan, and a tuna roll (tekkamaki). They were amazed at the differences in taste and texture depending on the cut of tuna, and happily shared their impressions with one another, saying things like "I like the zuke best" and "I prefer the chutoro."
In Tsukiji, they bought wasabi-related ingredients at a wholesaler's shop and purchased matcha for making matcha lattes at a specialty tea shop. Since it was cold, they showed more interest in warm food than in seafood, and the group shared and enjoyed piping-hot roasted sweet potatoes and freshly grilled mochi prepared right in front of them.
2. Other impressions, notes, and requests The viewing on the special observation floor starts around 5:50, so the fresh tuna auction that begins at 5:30 is often nearly over or already finished. I think guests would enjoy it more if they watched the frozen tuna auction from beginning to end from the general floor. In particular, when there are visitors invited by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the special viewing floor, half of the floor—especially the half closest to the fresh tuna—is occupied for them, resulting in a situation where the auction is almost impossible to see. Going forward, for guests who wish to enter the lottery for the special viewing floor, I would like to explain this current situation so that they can carefully consider whether or not to participate in the lottery.
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.