Tokyo’s Top Tuna for the New Year Sells for Nearly $800,000 (2024)

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Tokyo’s Top Tuna for the New Year Sells for Nearly $800,000? ›

Tokyo's Top Tuna for the New Year Sells for Nearly $800,000

[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Massive Bluefin Tuna Sold for Almost $800,000 at Toyosu Auction. The prized bluefin tuna was caught off the shore of Cape Shiriya by a father-son fishing duo from Oma, Aomori Prefecture. On January 5, the first bluefin tuna auction of the year took place at Toyosu Market in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

Something fishy just happened in Japan—but we don't mean anything suspicious. A huge bluefin tuna was sold at Tokyo's largest fish market for a whopping 114.2 million yen, or $788,440, Bloomberg reported on Thursday evening. The first-day-of-business auction has become something of a new year's tradition in Japan.

The mammoth bluefin tuna weighing nearly 525 pounds was purchased by seafood wholesaler Yamayuki and a sushi chain for nearly $800,000.

Bluefin vs Yellowfin Tuna Cost

This is one of reasons that Bluefin Tuna is a very expensive fish. A 600-pound specimen sold for $3 million in a Japanese auction. It is primarily consumed in sashimi by Japan. The average price for Atlantic bluefin is around $200 per pound.

A bluefin tuna has sold for a record £2.5m (333.6 million yen) at a Tokyo market - but the buyer has admitted he may have got a bit carried away. The fish weighed a hefty 278kg (43.7st) and was bought by Kiyomure Corp, whose owner Kiyoshi Kimura runs the Sushi Zanmai chain.

In 1978, off the coast of Nova Scotia, Ken Fraser fought with a bluefin for 45 minutes. They must have known the fish was incredible, but it ended up weighing in at an official mark of 1,496 pounds, which is now recognized as the record bluefin tuna.

Bluefin Tuna can be staggeringly expensive, depending on where it was caught, and where you buy it. It's reported that the finest Bluefin Tuna comes from Japan, and can be valued at around $200 per pound. In 2019, a perfect and giant 600-pound Bluefin sold for $3 million in Tokyo.

Scarcity: One of the primary factors contributing to the high cost of bluefin tuna is its scarcity. Overfishing and excessive demand have depleted bluefin tuna populations, particularly the Atlantic and Pacific bluefin varieties.

Just saw the stats. That fish is at an estimated value of 2 million dollars. Would make over 2800 sandwiches and over 3000 cans.

What tuna is highly prized? ›

The Bluefin Tuna: The Giant of the Sea

Due to its superior quality meat and distinctive color, this giant of the sea is highly prized by gourmets around the world. Bluefin tuna can reach impressive sizes, with specimens exceeding 3 meters in length and 680 kg in weight.

Massive bluefin tuna weighing more than 500 pounds reels in almost $800,000 at Tokyo auction : r/Damnthatsinteresting.

Bluefin Tuna can be staggeringly expensive, depending on where it was caught, and where you buy it. It's reported that the finest Bluefin Tuna comes from Japan, and can be valued at around $200 per pound. In 2019, a perfect and giant 600-pound Bluefin sold for $3 million in Tokyo.