[Tokyo] Tour Toyosu Market with a sushi chef and taste fresh sushi caught that morning!

The Charm of Toyosu Market: Experience Japan's Seafood Culture

Tokyo's Toyosu Market was relocated from Tsukiji Market in 2018, and fresh seafood is traded here with the latest equipment and strict hygiene controls. The tuna auction is particularly impressive, with many tourists enjoying the dynamic spectacle from the observation area. Within the market, there are many sushi restaurants and seafood bowl restaurants that use fresh seafood, allowing you to taste local flavors on the spot. It is also popular with foreign tourists, and has been gaining attention as a spot where you can experience Japanese food culture.

Complete guide to Toyosu Market: 6 things to enjoy, from the auctions to the food

1. World-class fish auction site The tuna auction is one of the highlights of the event. It starts late at night and features fast-paced, professional exchanges. Even if you don't buy anything, you can enjoy the spectacular performance just by watching the exchange between the auctioneer and the buyers.

2. The seafood is extremely fresh. Most of the catch is "arrived early in the morning on the day of the catch", and there is a wide variety and the quality is very high. If you want to get true "sushi topping" quality fish, this is the best place to go.

3. Professional trading sites in areas reserved for traders (if open to the public) Although general tourists are not allowed to enter , with the guidance of a guide or sushi chef, you can experience up close how traders select fish, negotiate the price, and decide on orders.

4. Observe how the chef selects fish. You will be able to see the sushi restaurant owner himself go to the market, visually assess the condition of the fish, touch it with his hands, and confirm its origin, giving you a deep insight into the techniques behind sushi making.

5. Exhibit of unique cold chain and transportation technology The clean and functional facilities unique to Toyosu Market, which evolved from Tsukiji, are also a symbol of Japan's "food safety."

6. The appeal of the market is that you can both buy and eat . In addition to wholesale, some seafood can also be purchased by the general public, and you can enjoy fresh sushi and seafood bowls on the spot at the restaurants inside the market.

Behind the scenes of the Toyosu Fish Market tuna auction — experience the professional competition up close!

The highlight of this tour is the special experience of stepping into the "vendor-only area" of Toyosu Market, which is normally off-limits to anyone other than authorized personnel. This is a tense scene where fresh seafood gathered from all over the country is assessed by professional eyes and traded in seconds. You can experience the "behind the scenes of the professionals" up close, something you can't see on TV or in magazines.

The tuna auction at Toyosu Market begins with a preliminary inspection at 4:30 in the morning. Sushi shop owners and other vendors carefully check the color and fat content of the tuna tails lined up. The auction starts around 5:30, and brokers compete for the price using hand and finger signals called "te auction."

For example, three buyers may compete for one bluefin tuna, which may be sold for 900,000 yen. After the bid is successful, the market staff will quickly cut out the shipping slip, write the buyer's name on the tuna, and send it off to the delivery area. It's a scene that is full of highlights, conveying the realism of the market and the seriousness of the craftsmen!

What is tezeri, a part of Japan's traditional market culture?

"Te-auction" is a silent auction method that is literally conducted using the hands. Instead of shouting out the price as in a normal auction, buyers (usually sushi chefs and vendors) indicate their desired price using specific hand signals and complete the deal with the seller (the auctioneer) through eye contact.

The biggest features of this method are the high level of confidentiality and speed that occurs without any words. Hand signs are a kind of "industry-specific code" that indicates numbers, which is difficult for outsiders to understand, making price wars more strategic.

For example, one finger means "10,000 yen" and two fingers mean "20,000 yen," and depending on the shape and combination of the hands, it is possible to express amounts of 100,000, 200,000, 300,000 yen or more. Experienced traders can read these hand signs in an instant and finish the auction in just a few seconds. The speed, tension, and quiet skill of the negotiations are an overwhelming sight even when viewed from the outside.

The energy and excitement that pervades the market in the early morning, as well as the atmosphere of serious competition, are definitely something worth experiencing at least once. This is a must-see for market lovers, sushi lovers, and those interested in what goes on behind the scenes in food. Don't miss this opportunity to come and witness the world of real trading!

*Photography and videography is permitted within the market, but please be mindful of your surroundings so as not to get in the way of staff working or moving vehicles. *Please be careful of the transport vehicles (turrets) that run through the market, as they can travel at high speeds. Collisions with them can be very dangerous, so please be mindful of your surroundings at all times.

Book here!

Enjoy the sushi you selected in Toyosu that night! "MAKARI SUSHI" experience

In the evening, we will take you to "MAKARI SUSHI," a sushi restaurant near Shinjuku Gyoen.
That morning, the chefs themselves select and purchase fresh seafood at Toyosu Market, and in the evening they serve the finest sushi at MAKARI SUSHI. The seasonal ingredients, carefully selected through the hustle and bustle and tension of the morning market, are truly worthy of being called "real ingredients." The greatest attraction of this experience is that each sushi is carefully made by the hands of the chefs, and can be enjoyed at its best on the same day.

In addition, for dinner, you can enjoy a la carte dishes that make use of seasonal flavors, such as chawanmushi, small dishes, and grilled fish, with a wide variety of flavors. They also go perfectly with local sake, further enhancing the aroma and flavor of the ingredients.

Rather than just eating sushi, you can learn about "where, who, and how the fish was selected" before tasting it, which will deepen your understanding and appreciation of food, making it a valuable dining experience. From the market to your dining table -- come and enjoy a luxurious moment at MAKARI SUSHI, where you can experience the entire process.

Book here!

Meeting point

18:00 At "MAKARI SUSHI" in Shinjuku Gyoen, you can enjoy sushi made with love by a chef using fresh fish selected that day!

Artisan's Special Sushi Set

Two small dishes with sake (chawanmushi and stewed spear squid)
Chawanmushi and seasonal side dishes Two kinds of sashimi Grilled fish side dishes Nigiri sushi (white fish, squid, white fish, sea urchin, peony shrimp, lean tuna, medium fatty tuna, light fish such as small fish, shellfish, mackerel, shellfish, fatty tuna, seared tuna, conger eel)
Sushi rolls (sushi rolls)
miso soup