Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market was the center of attention as sushi restaurateurs invested a jaw-dropping 207 million yen (approximately $1.3 million) for a bluefin tuna weighing as much as a motorbike. This sale marks the second-highest price in the market's history, highlighting the ongoing trend of sky-high bids for prized tuna in Japan.
Record-Breaking Tuna Auction: Tokyo Sushi Restaurateurs Spend $1.3M
Record-Breaking Tuna Auction: Tokyo Sushi Restaurateurs Spend $1.3M
Tokyo's culinary scene witnesses a remarkable auction event where a massive bluefin tuna fetches a record price.
The winning bid was secured by the Onodera Group, who plan to serve the 276kg (608lb) tuna at their Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera restaurants and Nadaman outlets nationwide. "The first tuna is something meant to bring in good fortune," said Onodera official Shinji Nagao, emphasizing the symbolic nature of the purchase. He expressed hopes that consumers enjoy the tuna caught off Aomori, contributing to a "wonderful year" for everyone.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Onodera has taken the top bid at the Ichiban Tuna auction, previously spending 114 million yen in 2022. However, the highest price to date remains 333.6 million yen, paid in 2019 for a slightly heavier bluefin tuna by the so-called "Tuna King," Kiyoshi Kimura.
The auction not only featured bluefin tuna but also saw Hokkaido sea urchins setting a new record by selling for 7 million yen, further exemplifying the high stakes of seafood trading in Japan's largest fish market, which has operated since 1935. These auction events are vital to Tokyo's vibrant sushi culture and attract widespread attention from seafood enthusiasts and culinary professionals alike.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Onodera has taken the top bid at the Ichiban Tuna auction, previously spending 114 million yen in 2022. However, the highest price to date remains 333.6 million yen, paid in 2019 for a slightly heavier bluefin tuna by the so-called "Tuna King," Kiyoshi Kimura.
The auction not only featured bluefin tuna but also saw Hokkaido sea urchins setting a new record by selling for 7 million yen, further exemplifying the high stakes of seafood trading in Japan's largest fish market, which has operated since 1935. These auction events are vital to Tokyo's vibrant sushi culture and attract widespread attention from seafood enthusiasts and culinary professionals alike.
