Tokyo: Shijomae Station & Shinjuku Station — Guide Masa
October, 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
- 7:30 Meeting place: Yurikamome: Shijomae Station
- 7:40 Depart Shijomae Station
- (on foot)
- 7:45 Toyosu Market
- Toyosu Market Seafood Wholesale Building
- Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Building
- 9:00 Depart Shijomae Station
- (Yurikamome)
- Toyosu Station
- (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
- Tsukishima Station
- (Toei Subway Oedo Line)
- 10:15 Tsukijishijo Station
- Tsukiji Tsukiji Uogashi
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Namiyoke Shrine
- Tsukiji Hongwanji
- 10:00 Depart Tsukiji Station
- (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
- Kasumigaseki Station
- (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- 11:30 Arrive Shinjuku Station
- 11:30 Dismissal: Shinjuku Station
Title: What Is a Private Toyosu and Tsukiji Fish Market Tour in Tokyo Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time, staying at a hotel in Tokyo. The purpose of this trip was a 10-day journey to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. They had arrived two days earlier, and the previous day they had strolled around the Ginza area. Today, their request was: "We would like to take our time looking at a Tokyo fish market."
It was a tour under clear skies, with weather warm enough to feel quite hot. We met at Shijo-mae Station on the Yurikamome line.
First we walked through the wholesale seafood building, then explored the intermediate wholesale seafood building. I explained "the history and scale of the Tsukiji market," "the scale of the market," and "what route seafood takes from here before it reaches households." There were questions such as "How is the tuna auction conducted?" and "How many tuna are put up for auction, and what are the prices?" In the intermediate wholesale market, the guests took photos here and there.
We then headed to Tsukiji, which was as crowded as ever. I explained "the history of fish markets since the Edo period" and "the difference between Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji Outer Market." There were also questions and comments such as "Do all Tokyo residents come here to buy fish?" and "It's crowded, but it really does seem like there are a lot of tourists."
The guests said they wanted to try something to eat, and in the end they bought and sampled tuna sushi.
Finally, we visited Namiyoke Shrine and Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple. There was a question about "the difference between Buddhism and Shinto." There was also a question about "why there are no trash bins on the streets."
As they wished to buy a used luxury watch in Shinjuku, I took them to Shinjuku, 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 | Train | Shijomae～Toyosu | 190JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Toyosu～Tsukishima | 180JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tsukishima～Tsukijishijo | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Tsukiji～Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro) | 210JPY |
| Total | 760JPY | ||
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.