Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Unprecedented Price of $3.2m at Tokyo Auction
A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a historic bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; ÂŁ2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year.
The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the parent firm of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations across the country and internationally.
"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the entrepreneur, a regular bidder at the traditional January sale.
Referred to as the King of Tuna, this businessman is famous for making high bids for bluefin tuna at these symbolic year-opening auctions.
Bidding Surprise and Historic Past
After the auction, the successful bidder told journalists that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little cheaper, but the price soared before you knew it."
This latest acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:
- He paid 56.5 million yen back in 2012.
- He spent 155 million yen the following year.
- In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).
Even after once commenting that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his personal record yet again.
An Annual Spectacle of High Prices
The first auction at the Tokyo fish market is traditionally characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another culinary group, which stated the fish would be available at its restaurants throughout the country.
The high-energy atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a popular spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was no exception.
From Auction to Plate
The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi restaurants soon after the auction ended.
"I sense like I've started the year in a good way after tasting something so lucky as the year starts," shared one happy customer.
