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Motorbike-Sized Tuna Fetches $1.3 Million at Tokyo’s New Year Auction

In a remarkable display of the high-stakes seafood trade, a motorbike-sized bluefin tuna has been sold at Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market for an eye-popping 207 million yen (approximately $1.3 million). The tuna, weighing in at 276kg (608 pounds), represents the second-highest price ever recorded at the annual New Year auction held in the Japanese capital.


Onodera Group, the sushi restaurant chain that won the bid, plans to feature the prized fish at its Michelin-starred Ginza Onodera locations, as well as at its Nadaman restaurants across the country. The massive tuna, caught off the coast of Aomori in northern Japan, is viewed not only as a delicacy but also as a symbol of good fortune for the coming year.


Symbol of Good Fortune: A Tradition at the New Year Auction

“The first tuna of the year is something meant to bring in good fortune,” said Shinji Nagao, an official from Onodera Group, speaking to reporters following the auction. According to Nagao, the tuna’s rare size and weight are believed to herald a prosperous year for those who partake in the delicacy.


This year’s sale continues a tradition in which Onodera Group has paid top prices at the Ichiban Tuna auction for five consecutive years. Last year, the group spent 114 million yen on the most expensive tuna of the auction. The record for the highest tuna price was set in 2019, when a 278kg bluefin sold for a staggering 333.6 million yen, purchased by self-styled “Tuna King” and sushi restaurant owner Kiyoshi Kimura.


Toyosu Market: The World’s Largest Fish Market

The Toyosu Fish Market, known for its pre-dawn tuna auctions, claims the title of the largest fish market in the world. While the bluefin tuna stole the spotlight at this year’s auction, it was not the only notable catch. Hokkaido sea urchins also commanded a record-breaking price of 7 million yen, according to the Japan Times.


The auction is a highly anticipated event for sushi restaurateurs and seafood enthusiasts alike, as the prized tuna is typically carved and served at upscale sushi restaurants across Japan. These annual auctions have become synonymous with high-end Japanese cuisine and are a major event in the global seafood market.


A Rich Tradition of Tuna Auctions in Japan

Tuna auctions in Japan have long been a fixture of the country’s fishing industry, with the Toyosu market taking over from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in 2018. These auctions serve as a showcase for the finest tuna, prized for their size, fat content, and overall quality. The annual auction also highlights Japan's deep cultural connection to seafood, particularly tuna, which plays a central role in the country’s sushi and sashimi dishes.


A Sign of Prestige and Prosperity

The $1.3 million tuna purchase at the Toyosu auction symbolizes both the prestige of Japan’s culinary elite and the continued global demand for high-quality seafood. For Onodera Group and other sushi restaurateurs, it is more than just a lucrative investment—it is a tradition steeped in cultural significance. As Japan’s seafood industry continues to captivate the world, the bluefin tuna auctions remain a highlight, representing not only luxury and culinary excellence but also a sense of optimism for the year ahead.