Bluefin Fish Sells for Unprecedented Bid of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, garnering a historic bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the new year.

The winning bid for the 243kg fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which manages locations domestically and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna heralds good luck," commented the company president, a familiar bidder at the annual first sale.

Referred to as the Tuna Tycoon, this entrepreneur is noted for placing high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious January auctions.

Bidding Surprise and Record-Setting Precedent

Following the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "surprised at the final price," noting, "I believed we would be able to buy it a little for less, but the price soared before you knew it."

This latest purchase exceeds his previous historic purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record yet again.

An Annual Spectacle of Exorbitant Bids

The first auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously associated with exceptionally high prices. Last year, the first tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by a different culinary group, which stated the fish would be featured at its restaurants nationwide.

The intense activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

From Auction to Plate

The record-priced tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for diners at the winner's sushi restaurants shortly after the auction was finished.

"I sense like I've begun the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year begins," remarked one happy patron.