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
- 8:00 Meeting place: In front of Toyosu Market
- (on foot)
- 8:10 Toyosu Seafood Wholesale Building
- Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building
- Fruits and Vegetables Building
- 9:30 Shijo-mae Station
- (Yurikamome)
- Toyosu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Tsukishima Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 10:00 Arrive at Tsukiji Shijo Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- 11:30 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- 11:40 Arrive at Ginza Station
- Ginza Ginza Mitsukoshi and others
- 12:30 Depart Yurakucho Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Toyosu Station
- (Yurikamome)
- 13:00 Shijo-mae Station
- 13:00 Dismissal: Shijo-mae Station
What Is a Private Tokyo Toyosu Market and Tsukiji Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America, both visiting Japan for the first time. They had arrived about three weeks earlier and had already visited Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and other places before coming to Tokyo a couple of days ago. They were scheduled to fly home from Haneda Airport this evening.
Today they were staying at a hotel near Toyosu Market. The tour took place under a cloudy sky.
We started from the Fisheries Wholesale Market Building at Toyosu Market. I explained the history of Edo/Tokyo's fish markets since the Edo period, the differences between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market, and the tuna auctions.
There were many questions, such as: "Where is the tuna caught?" "What is the price?" "Who is allowed to participate in the auction?" "How much does a single tuna cost?" "Are fresh tuna and frozen tuna priced differently?" and "Why are the tails of the tuna cut off?"
We took photos in front of the tuna statue.
We then moved to the Intermediate Wholesalers' Market Building. There was also a question: "Why can't we go inside here?" The guests also asked me to recommend a good sushi restaurant.
After walking through the produce building, we headed to Tsukiji.
We first strolled through Tsukiji Uogashi, and then went to the Outer Market. It was extremely crowded, and the guests seemed rather overwhelmed. We strolled at a relaxed pace, and they purchased and sampled matcha ice cream. We also walked around Tsukiji Uogashi again.
After this, we went to Ginza, which the guests had said they wanted to visit.
They made comments such as "Japanese people are all so polite," "The city is clean and there is no litter scattered around," and "Kyoto left a strong impression on us."
I saw the guests off at Shijo-mae Station, where we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Tsukiji & Toyosu Market Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Shijo-mae Station～Toyosu Station | 189JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Toyosu Station～Tsukishima Station | 178JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Tsukishima Station～Tsukiji Shijo Station | 178JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Tsukiji Station～Ginza Station | 178JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Yurakucho Station～Toyosu Station | 178JPY |
| Section 6 | Other | Toyosu Station～Shijo-mae Station | 189JPY |
| Total | 1,090JPY | ||
Guiding career:
Guide work started in July 2022. A guide focused on FIT compliance.
FY2022 results: 17 cases, FY2023 results: 97
Destinations: Various places in Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko
As a recent group travel record, in October 2023, we have a track record of guiding a group of 33 people from Singapore to Narita Airport transfer plus sightseeing in Tokyo.
Self-introduction:
In the past, I was stationed in Canada, the United States, and Mexico as an expatriate of a Japanese bank for over 11 years.
Since I have been mainly involved in the financing business in the United States for a long time, I think I am able to provide interpretation and translation services related to business and finance.
I am a certified CPA in the United States.
In addition, for three years from April 2016, I will be engaged in Japanese-English translation work (part-time), and I can also handle translation work.
Although I don’t have a qualification in Spanish, but I think I can handle day to day conversation in Spanish without any problems.
My hobby is trekking and from time to time, take a walk around mountains near Tokyo like Mt. Takao, Tanzawa, etc. I think it is possible to provide tourist information here as well.
Since April 2015, I have been working as a Tokyo Metropolitan Tourism Volunteer and Tokyo Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Volunteer.
One more, I have a separate house near Asuka Village, Nara prefecture, and I stay there for a total of about 30 days every year and have been enjoying sightseeing personally in the vicinity. Therefore, I think in the Kansai region, especially in Nara, Asuka, Yoshino, Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, etc., where I think I will be able to tour guide with confidence.
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and…
Jul 21, 2026
Christelle_G
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Excellent tour guide
Masa san is extremely knowledgeable and lovely company. My 13-yr-old daughter and I had a great day walking around the sites we had picked with him. He tooks his time to explain all the history and then kindly walked us to the spot of our next booking as it was quite confusing. I would very highly recommend him. Of all the tours we did in Tokyo Masa Sam was my favourite tour guide.
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an…
Jul 1, 2026
97TexAg
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Amazing day in Tokyo
Masa was our tour guide. Masa was an amazing tour guide that communicated extremely well ahead of time about the sites we would like to see in Tokyo, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel, was very friendly and well prepared and finally but most importantly made our day in Tokyo very memorable.
We went to the Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Meiji Shinto Temple, imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Gatden, and Shibuya Crossing. All were great and amazing suggestions by Masa.
Would highly recommend this tour as it was a private tour guide for a full day and provided discretion on which 5-6 sites you want to see. Also highly recommend our tour guide Masa who was a wealth of knowledge and very friendly and charming.
15/10 would do again.
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our…
Jun 2, 2026
Tagare S
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour and guide!
This is a great tour, and our guide, Masa was really great. Although it was raining, he had no
hesitations in completing his tour and showing us great places around Tokyo. If you are still
on the fence about this, please don’t, you won’t regret it. Thank you, Masa!
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was…
Jun 1, 2026
Lisa_A
Viator review: Private Tokyo Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Adler Family Tour
Our tour with Masa was incredible and filled with interesting facts and history, he gave us incredible insight on each location. We loved that we were able to choose 3-4 sites from a large selection and really spend enough time at each spot. Masa was kind and knowledgable and even helped us with a restaurant reservation for later in the evening when were unable to find one.