A Massive Tuna Sells for a Record Price in Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan – The first auction of 2026 at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market saw a massive bluefin tuna fetch a record-breaking price. The 243-kilogram (535-pound) fish sold for 510 million yen, equivalent to $3.2 million.
Kiyomura Corp., led by Kiyoshi Kimura, the owner of the popular Sushi Zanmai chain, placed the winning bid. Mr. Kimura is a frequent participant and winner at these annual auctions, and this year he surpassed his own previous record of 334 million yen (about $2.1 million) from 2019.
Mr. Kimura told reporters that while he had hoped to spend a little less, the price quickly escalated.
The auction commences with the ringing of a bell, upon which buyers inspect the color, texture, and fat content of the meat.
This particular tuna was caught near Oma in northern Japan, a region known for producing high-quality tuna. It cost 2.1 million yen ($13,360) per kilogram ($6,060 per pound).
Mr. Kimura explained that the purchase was partly for good luck, adding that he cannot resist a good-looking tuna. He expressed confidence in its delicious taste, though he had not yet sampled it.
While hundreds of tuna are sold daily at these early morning auctions, the Oma tuna, especially at the New Year auction, commands significantly higher prices.
The Pacific bluefin tuna, once a threatened species, is now recovering due to conservation efforts. This is welcome news for those who appreciate this delicacy in sushi and sashimi.
