Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction — Guide Toru
April, 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
- 5:00 Meet at the hotel
- 5:15 Arrive at Toyosu Market. Preliminary briefing.
- 5:30 Watch the tuna auction
- 6:00 Breakfast at a sushi restaurant
- 7:15 Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market
- 8:00 Disband at Tsukiji Outer Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at hotel at 5:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 8:00. The day ran to 3 hours from start to finish. It included breakfast at a sushi restaurant at 6:00.
The itinerary covered Toyosu Market. Preliminary briefing. at 5:15, Watch the tuna auction at 5:30 and Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market at 7:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Toyosu Market／Toei Bus to Tsukiji 6-chome／Toei Bus by bus (210JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 210JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Tsukiji Fish Market and Tuna Auction Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. The Tour and the Guests' Reactions The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. Everyone in the group got along very well, which made for a lively and cheerful tour. It was difficult to secure a spot with a good view of the tuna auction for the whole group, but the guests took turns and shared the space among themselves, so I believe they were able to understand how the auction proceeds and how the hand-signal bidding works. Breakfast at a sushi restaurant after the auction was very well received, and almost everyone was moved, saying it was their first time tasting chutoro that "melts in your mouth," and chose it as the most delicious sushi. One of the guests needed to eat gluten-free, but the head chef had prepared gluten-free soy sauce in advance, so they were able to enjoy the sushi. Including myself, eight of us sat at the counter all at once as the shop opened, and eight orders came in simultaneously, which seemed to keep the chef quite busy. On the contrary, the sight of the chef skillfully handling the large number of orders while rhythmically preparing the sushi was very popular, and the guests were impressed, calling him "a true professional." Since it was a morning of heavy rain, we mainly explored the indoor intermediate wholesaler shops at Tsukiji. At the familiar Kitani Suisan, when I mentioned that the cut of tuna I had bought the previous week was delicious, the shop staff seemed pleased and allowed us to take photos in front of a fresh bluefin tuna being butchered. This was a truly rare experience — I myself had never seen a fresh tuna being butchered from this angle — and all the guests were delighted. Finally, at the request of some of the guests, they enjoyed some ichigo daifuku. They were impressed by the combination of strawberry and sweet red bean paste, and the youngest of the group gave a big, beaming smile.
2. Other Comments, Notes, and Requests This case also came through a travel agency, so a fair amount of time was spent on pre-tour coordination with the guests. Since agencies have their own responsibilities, it is understandable that they are cautious about contact between the guests and the guide. For that reason, I renewed my commitment to communicate sincerely and to make greater efforts to build a relationship of trust with the agency as early as possible.
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 | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Tokyo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 5:00, and the tour finished at Tsukiji Outer Market at 8:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours in total, from 5:00 to 8:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Toyosu Market. Preliminary briefing., Watch the tuna auction and Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 210JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Toru is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Tokyo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
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.