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
- 07:00 Meet at Hotel Okura Tokyo
- 07:30 Toyosu Market (tour the auction area, specialty shops, wholesalers, etc., breakfast with sushi)
- 09:50 Tsukiji Outer Market (enjoy grilled tuna skewers, yakitori, raw oysters, etc., purchase deboned fish and Rishiri kelp)
- 11:00 Disband in front of the Tsukiji Uogashi Center
Title: What's a Private Toyosu and Tsukiji Fish Market Food Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests had been informed in advance that the tuna auction at Toyosu Market ends at 6:30, but around 20 to 30 tuna were still lined up in the auction area waiting to be shipped out. In that setting, I showed them a video and photos of the auction that I had taken beforehand and explained how the auction is conducted, and the guests were satisfied that they could clearly picture it.
The guests enjoyed sushi at a familiar sushi restaurant inside the market. The head chef casually answered the guests' questions (how many years of training he had done, how the tuna is purchased, how to make the nikiri sauce, and so on), so I believe they enjoyed not only the taste but also the culture surrounding sushi.
Thanks to an introduction from the head chef, we were able to enter the intermediate wholesalers' area, which is normally off-limits, and the guests were delighted to watch up close as restaurant buyers purchased seafood that had just been auctioned. (It was my first time experiencing this as well, and I got very excited.)
At Tsukiji, the guests enjoyed a variety of foods. They especially liked the grilled tuna skewers, the fresh oysters from Iwate Prefecture, and the yakitori from Toritou.
The tour ended in front of the Uogashi Center. The guests planned to stroll around Tsukiji for a while and then head to Hamarikyu, so I explained the route and we parted ways.
One challenge is that when guiding the 5:30 auction viewing, the guide cannot arrive in time using public transportation at that hour. For example, if a car could be arranged so that the guests are taken from their hotel to Toyosu Market by 5:00, and the guide could drive there in a private car to meet them, then viewing the auction would become possible. In that case, we would then travel to Tsukiji by bus, end the tour after strolling around Tsukiji, and the guide would return to Toyosu Market by bus to retrieve the car. If the parking fees incurred during the tour and the bus fare to return to the parking area could be covered, I would very much like to try this. I would appreciate your consideration. (It is a shame that I cannot toast with a beer together with the guests, though.)
Click here for more details: Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Tameike-Sanno～Shimbashi | 180JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Shimbashi Station～Shijo Station | 210JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Shijo Station～Tsukiji 6-chome | 210JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
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.