A single bluefin tuna stole the show at Tokyo’s first auction of 2026, fetching a record-breaking price that reflects both the fish’s rarity and the tradition surrounding the New Year event.
Record Price for a Jumbo Tuna
A colossal 243-kilogram Pacific bluefin sold for 510 million yen, roughly €2.78 million, at the predawn auction at Toyosu fish market. The winning bid came from Kiyomura Corp., owned by Kiyoshi Kimura, the founder of Sushi Zanmai, who has become a regular at these auctions over the years. Kimura broke his own previous record of 334 million yen set in 2019. Speaking to reporters, he admitted he had hoped to spend a little less but said, “the price shot up before you knew it.”
Inspecting the Finest from Oma
The tuna was caught off the northern coast of Oma, a region famous for producing some of Japan’s highest-quality bluefin. At the auction, buyers walked among rows of torpedo-shaped fish with their tails removed to inspect color, texture, and fat distribution. Kimura said part of his motivation was for good luck, but he added, “When I see a good looking tuna, I cannot resist … I haven’t sampled it yet, but it’s got to be delicious.” The fish sold for 2.1 million yen (€11,500) per kilogram, highlighting the premium placed on Oma bluefin.
Tradition Meets Conservation
While hundreds of tuna are auctioned daily at Toyosu, prices soar for New Year’s Day, a celebratory tradition that draws extra attention. Pacific bluefin tuna were once considered threatened due to overfishing and climate change, but conservation measures have helped their stocks recover. The sale reflects both the continued cultural importance of high-quality tuna in Japan and the progress being made toward sustainable fishing.
