Introduction
The first auction of the year at Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market was a record-breaking event, with a bluefin tuna from Oma, Aomori Prefecture, fetching a staggering ¥207 million. This price is the second-highest ever recorded for a bluefin tuna in Japan.
Record-Breaking Bid 
The winning bid was placed by Yamayuki, a wholesale intermediary at Toyosu market. This marks their fifth consecutive year of securing the highest-priced tuna at the market’s first auction. The bid was around 1.8 times higher than last year’s winning bid and is only surpassed by the record-breaking ¥333.6 million price paid for a bluefin tuna in 2019.
The auction began at 5:10 am, with the largest bluefin tuna from Oma, weighing 276 kilograms, attracting the most attention. This particular tuna was auctioned off at an impressive ¥750,000 per kilogram.
Exceptional Quality
Yamayuki’s president, Yukitaka Yamaguchi, highlighted the exceptional quality of the fish, stating that its “unmatched freshness stood out.” This exceptional quality is likely what drove the record-breaking bid.
Prized Catch Headed to Ginza Onodera
The prized bluefin tuna will be served at sushi restaurants operated by the Onodera Group, including the renowned Ginza Onodera outlet. This is sure to be a treat for sushi lovers who are willing to pay a premium for the freshest and highest quality fish.
Record-Breaking Sea Urchin
In addition to the record-breaking bluefin tuna auction, there was another exciting development at the Toyosu Fish Market. About 350 grams of Hokkaido sea urchin fetched a record-breaking ¥7 million. This further highlights the strong demand for high-quality seafood in Japan.
Conclusion
The first auction of the year at Toyosu Fish Market was a memorable event, with record-breaking bids for both bluefin tuna and sea urchin. This event underscores the importance of seafood in Japanese culture and the high prices that consumers are willing to pay for the freshest and highest quality fish.
Newsource: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/05/japan/japan-toyosu-market-first-auction/
