Tokyo: Tsukiji Outer Market — Guide Toru
October, 2025
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 the hotel
- 05:30 Observe the tuna auction
- 06:00 Sushi breakfast inside Toyosu Market
- 07:00 Stroll through the Tsukiji Outer Market
- 08:00 Disband at the Tsukiji Outer Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at hotel at 05:00, the group explored Tokyo until the tour ended at 08:00. The day ran to 3 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Observe the tuna auction at 05:30, Sushi breakfast inside Toyosu Market at 06:00 and Tsukiji Outer Market at 07:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shijomae Station Front by bus (210JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 210JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private Toyosu and Tsukiji Fish Market Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from Oceania who regularly enjoy fishing and are very knowledgeable about fish, having even caught tuna before. For that reason, they watched the tuna auction with great interest. Since they were interested in all kinds of seafood, including fish, crab, and lobster, at the Tsukiji Outer Market I guided them to a wholesaler's shop at Tsukiji Uogashi, where they carefully examined and enjoyed the large blocks of tuna and various shellfish. They were especially fascinated by the dried fish at a specialty shop, which they were seeing for the first time, and they asked many questions about how we usually eat dried fish.
They were very satisfied with the sushi breakfast at a sushi restaurant inside Toyosu Market. Before Tokyo they had visited Kanazawa and had eaten sushi there as well, but they were delighted to say that the sushi at Toyosu Market that I guided them to today was by far more delicious. Notably, one of the guests had until then refused to try eel, but since sushi pieces are small, they gave it a first try and were amazed by how delicious it was. At the recommendation of the sushi chef, they also tried conger eel (anago), which they enjoyed as well.
As it was a cold day, we finished by taking a photo in front of the caricature of John Lennon's family, who were regulars there, at Yonemoto Coffee, and then parted ways.
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
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 | Shijomae Station Front / 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 05:00, and the tour finished at Tsukiji Outer Market at 08:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours in total, from 05:00 to 08:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Observe the tuna auction, Sushi breakfast inside Toyosu Market and 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!
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…
Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
All the temples and shrines were fantastic.…
Sep 7, 2026
Victor_G
All the temples and…
Viator review: Kamakura Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
All the temples and shrines were fantastic. Our guide Toru, was excellent, very knowledgeable and his love of Japanese culture shone through.