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
- 11:00 Meeting place: Hilton Tokyo, Shinjuku
- 11:10 Tochomae Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- Aoyama-itchome
- (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line)
- Nagatacho
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Toyosu Station
- (Yurikamome)
- 11:50 Arrive at Shijomae Station
- Toyosu Seafood Wholesale Building
- Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building
- Fruits and Vegetables Building
- 13:30 Depart Shijomae Station
- (Yurikamome)
- Toyosu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Tsukishima Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 14:00 Arrive at Tsukiji Shijo Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Lunch: Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan
- 15:00 Depart Tsukiji Shijo Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 15:30 Arrive at Tochomae Station
- 15:30 Disband: Tochomae Station
Can You Do a Private Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Market Tour in Tokyo? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan, four in total. Some of the guests had visited Japan eight years earlier, while others were coming for the first time. Early this morning, they arrived at Haneda Airport on a direct flight via London and took a taxi to their accommodation. The main purpose of this visit was to board a 12-day cruise around Japan departing from the Port of Tokyo the day after next, with plans to disembark in Seoul and return home. One of the guests enjoys fishing as a hobby and had extensive knowledge about fish, and had very much wanted to experience a fish market and sushi.
Although it was cloudy, the tour went ahead without any rain. We first set off from the Seafood Wholesale Building at Toyosu Market. I explained the history of Edo/Tokyo fish markets since the Edo period, the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market, and the tuna auction.
There were many questions, such as: "Where does most of the tuna come from?" "What are the prices?" "Who is allowed to participate in the auction?" "How much does a single tuna cost?" "Is there a price difference between fresh and frozen tuna?" and "Why are the tails of the tuna cut off?" We took photos in front of the tuna statue.
We moved to the Intermediate Wholesalers Building, but unfortunately many shops had already closed. There was also a question: "Why can't we go inside here?" After walking around the Fruit and Vegetable Building, we headed to Tsukiji.
We first strolled through Tsukiji Uogashi, and then went to the outer market. Despite it being the afternoon, it was extremely crowded, and everyone seemed a bit overwhelmed. The whole group had lunch at a restaurant. One of the guests ordered two set menus and finished them completely.
Afterwards, we strolled leisurely through the market, sampling and purchasing items such as dried squid and kelp. There were also comments such as: "Japanese people are all so polite," "The streets are clean and there is no litter," and "There is no subway where we come from. The Tokyo subway is systematic and very well designed."
I saw them off at Tochomae 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 | Subway | Tochomae Station～Aoyama-itchome Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Aoyama-itchome Station～Toyosu Station | 209JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Toyosu Station～Shijomae Station | 189JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Shijomae Station～Toyosu Station | 189JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Toyosu Station～Tsukishima Station | 178JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Tsukishima Station～Tsukiji Shijo Station | 178JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Tsukiji Shijo Station～Tochomae Station | 272JPY |
| Total | 1,435JPY | ||
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.