Tokyo: Tsukiji inner market — Guide Toru
September, 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 at Toyosu Market
- 05:10-05:30 Explanation of related information beforehand, such as tuna catching methods, how the auction proceeds, 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
- 07:00-07:15 Travel to Tsukiji
- 07:15-08:00 Stroll through the Tsukiji inner market
- 08:00 Disband at Tsukiji
What Is a Private Tuna Auction and Toyosu Market Tour Like in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who got along very well. During the tuna auction viewing, the group showed great interest in watching five auctioneers competing as they conducted the auction, and they took many videos and photos. They were especially amazed that each tuna was sold in about five seconds.
At the sushi restaurant after the auction, they were moved by how the medium-fatty tuna seemed to melt in their mouths. They mentioned that they had eaten a sushi course in Ginza the previous evening, but they were delighted to find that the sushi at Toyosu Market was on a far higher level.
Since the group had already explored the Tsukiji Outer Market on their own the previous day, I had them visit the intermediate wholesalers, and by chance we came across a scene where fresh bluefin tuna was being cut and dismantled, which they were happy to see.
A notable stop on the tour was Toyosu Market. Toyosu Market is Tokyo's main wholesale market for fish and seafood, and it opened in 2018 as the successor to the historic Tsukiji fish market. It is one of the largest markets of its kind in the world, and its early-morning tuna auctions are a famous highlight where whole frozen and fresh tuna are sold to bidders at remarkable speed. Visitors can observe the auctions from dedicated viewing areas and enjoy exceptionally fresh sushi at the market's restaurants.
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…
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Victor_G
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All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.