The 6 Best Private Market Tours in Japan

1.Private Toyosu & Tsukiji Market Adventure with Tuna Auction

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 191 reviews · 3 hours · from $153Our pick

Start before dawn at Toyosu Market, where your English-speaking guide explains the bluefin tuna auction and seafood trade. Then taste sushi or seafood, ride to Tsukiji, and explore its food stalls, knife shops, pottery, tea, sweets, and kitchenware. Guides include Nobby, Sachiyo, Yumi, Emi, and others.

“Loved this tour! Sachiyo was prompt, organized, informative, and very friendly. Our whole family enjoyed having her as our guide. She was knowledgable of both markets and showed us all the best places to go after the auction. I would definitely recommend this activity and emphatically recommend Sachiyo.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tokyo Early Morning Tour Asakusa Meiji Shrine (Private Opt)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $59Top rated

Start at Asakusa and travel through Tsukiji, Meiji Jingu, and Shibuya Crossing in about five hours. You can choose a small group, private, or self-guided format. Guides such as Hana Tanaka and Kouta add history, local tips, and help with Tokyo trains.

“A really nice way to hit the highlights before it got too crowded or hot. Kouta was a great guide, answering all our questions or found the answer for us. He related well with two teenage boys which can be a challenge for anyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Tuna Auction Market Guided Private Tour in Nachi-Katsuura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $42Best value

Meet Stella or Chizuko at JF Katsuura Seafood Market for a private, English-guided look at Japan’s fresh tuna auction. You’ll learn how long-line fishing, quality checks, and the local fishing economy fit together, then may follow your guide to a favorite tuna breakfast spot.

“We are a family group of 6 and joined the Tuna Auction Market Guided Tour. Stella is very passionate and knowledgeable. She patiently answered all the questions we have and explained the whole process in details. Really appRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $82

Meet Kanae at Maruyama Koen Station for a private market visit, then ride to her home for a 1 to 1.5 hour cooking lesson. Prepare seasonal Japanese dishes with market-fresh ingredients, enjoy lunch and one or two local drinks, and learn about Hokkaido food at your own pace.

“Kanae was an excellent guide and teacher. She took us to Sapporo Central Market, a nice alterative to the Nijo Ichiba market. Showed us how to prepare and cook gomae, agedashi tofu, miso soup with mushrooms, and two fish preparations. Had a lot of fun cooking and chatting Kanae.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Tsukiji Fish Market Private Food Tour in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $82

Explore Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple and Tsukiji’s outer market with private guide Elly, tasting sushi, sashimi, Wagyu beef, tamagoyaki, rice balls, and other local foods. The 2.5-hour walk is flexible, helpful for first-time visitors, families, solo travelers, and those needing food or language assistance.

“We had a few hours to spare before we had to leave Tokyo so I booked this tour at the very last minute and it did not disappoint. Elly was such a lovely guide and took us through the Honganji Temple & Tsukiji Market, shared great stories, Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Tsukiji Fish Market Tour with 3 food stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 15 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Walk Tsukiji with a private English or Japanese-speaking guide, taste three local foods, visit Namiyoke Inari Shrine and Tsukiji Hongan-ji, and finish near Tsukiji Station. Guides including Shuto and Sowar have offered friendly, flexible tours.

“we had a great time exploring the market, shrine and temple with our guide. Shuto not only educated us on the history, but he also taught us how to pray at the shrine and temple and showed us some local favourites in the market.”

Check availability →Read our full review