The first tuna auction of the new year is always a big deal, but for 2019, the annual New Year's auction held for the first time at the newly-opened Toyosu Market on January 5 made a particularly memorable impact. According to The Japan Times, an enormous 278kg bluefin tuna (an endangered species) was sold for a staggering ¥333.6 million (roughly $3.1 million US), doubling the 2013 record of ¥155 million. Japan's national broadcaster NHK reported that the tuna was caught off the coast of Aomori in northern Japan.
The honour of this hefty winning bid goes to Kiyoshi Kimura, self-styled 'King of Tuna' and owner of the well-known sushi chain Sushi Zanmai, which can be easily found across Tokyo, Japan and other parts of the world. Kimura is no stranger to outbidding his competition when it comes to the prized fish: he has held the top spot as the highest bidder for six years in a row, excluding 2017 when an owner of another sushi restaurant outbid him. Following this year's auction, the giant tuna was taken to one of Sushi Zanmai's outlets at the Tsukiji Outer Market for guests to enjoy.
The tuna auction area at Toyosu Market
Toyosu Market's predecessor at Tsukiji was well-known for its pre-dawn tuna auction, with tourists lining up for hours to snatch one of the 120 coveted spots to witness the bidding action. This tradition continues at Toyosu Market. While the market is expected to open a visitor's zone within the auction area sometime this month, you can still catch the action from the observation gallery upstairs at the Fish Wholesale Market building. Just make sure you get there between 5am to 6.30am. If you're planning to visit Toyosu Market, read our quick guide before you go.