Tokyo: Watch the tuna auction & Tsukiji — Guide Toru
August, 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 up at Toyosu Market
- 05:10-05:30 Explanation of related information in advance, such as tuna catching methods, how auctions proceed, collection methods, and the roles of primary wholesalers and intermediate wholesalers
- 05:30-06:00 Watch the tuna auction
- 06:00-07:00 Sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market
- 07:00-07:40 Tour of Toyosu Market's retail floor and produce market
- 07:40-07:55 Move to Tsukiji
- 8:00 Guide to the front of Lawson in the Tsukiji inner market (the meeting place for the next tour) and disband
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
# What's an Early-Morning Toyosu Tuna Auction Private Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who had arrived in Tokyo the previous evening. They arrived at the meeting point in good spirits, saying this early-morning tour was perfect for adjusting to the jet lag. One of the guests had a strong interest in the tuna auction, and the other had booked the tour for that reason. However, once the auction actually began, the one who had booked it seemed even more excited than expected, and both of the guests appeared to be enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, only a few fresh tuna were visible from the public observation deck, but we secured a spot right next to the frozen tuna auctioneer, so the guests were able to watch the auction closely. During the auction, a frozen tuna went for a high price of 7,000 yen per fish, which the guests found exciting to witness.
After the viewing, the guests enjoyed breakfast at a sushi restaurant, where they ordered a "tuna assortment" and an "omakase" course and shared them, marveling at the differences in flavor between the various cuts of tuna and the deliciousness of sushi made with fresh fish that had just been brought in that morning.
Due to a mix-up on their part, the guests had separately booked another Tsukiji tour starting at 9:00 after this one, so at Tsukiji I simply guided them to the meeting point for their next tour. I used the extra time to show them the retail buildings and produce sections of Toyosu. In the retail building, at a shop directly operated by a sake brewery, the guests tasted a craft gin made in Niseko that the brewery manages. As a big fan of gin, one of the guests purchased a hip-flask-sized craft gin, describing it as "a gin with a wonderful flavor."
At a miso wholesaler selling "Iyo barley miso" from my hometown, I bought 200g and asked the shop for a toothpick so the guests could taste the fresh barley miso. It is a sweeter miso, and when I explained that it is also delicious served on top of tofu, the guests remarked, "So it's not just for miso soup," and we had a lively conversation about miso recipes.
At Toyosu Market, there are commemorative stamps at the seafood wholesale, seafood intermediate wholesale, and produce buildings, and one of the guests was delighted to collect all the stamps. When I mentioned that stamp books can be bought at station kiosks and that each JR station has its own unique stamp, the guests happily said, "We'll definitely collect them."
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 | 420JPY |
| Total | 420JPY | ||
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.