the morning in order
A Toyosu tuna auction morning, from meeting point to breakfast
How a guided visit to the wholesale market usually unfolds, before most of Tokyo is awake.
Reserve the tuna auction tour ↗The morning at a glance
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before dawn | Meet your guide at one of three points around Toyosu |
| On the deck | Upper viewing deck or the exclusive lower deck |
| The bell | The handbell starts each round of bidding |
| Reading it | Your guide explains the buyers' hand signals |
| The walk | Specialty shops and the fish-purchasing experience |
| Breakfast | A reservation at Sushi Dai or Bentomi, if your option includes it |
Where you meet
There are three possible meeting points around Toyosu, depending on which viewing option you've booked; your confirmation says which one is yours.
Onto the deck
Standard viewing puts you at the upper visitor deck, looking down over the whole floor through the window. The exclusive option takes a group of no more than 4 guests to the lower observation deck, behind glass at floor level, arranged ahead of time.
The bell rings
A handbell marks the start of each round. What follows is fast: buyers flick fingers and hands across rows of tuna, and a fish can sell in seconds.
Making sense of it
Your guide walks you through the te-jirushi hand signals buyers use, so the next round reads as bidding instead of a blur of movement.
The walk through the market
After the auction, a walk past the specialty shops — knives, tea, supplies for professional kitchens — and the chance to buy fish yourself with your guide's help.
If you stay for breakfast
The morning can end at Sushi Dai (cash only, Michelin Guide-listed) or Bentomi (cards accepted). The meal is a reservation only — it's not included in the tour price, and what's on the counter depends on the day's catch.