The owner of the “Sushi Zanmai” restaurant chain, Kiyoshi Kimura, displays the bluefin tuna he acquired for a record 3.27 million dollars at his main restaurant in Tokyo on January 5, 2026.
The owner of a sushi restaurant chain paid a record 3.27 million dollars (510.3 million yen) for a giant bluefin tuna at the prestigious New Year’s auction held this Monday at Tokyo’s main fish market.
Kiyoshi Kimura, who calls himself the “Tuna King” and whose “Sushi Zanmai” chain won the auction, paid this amount for the 243-kilogram fish caught off the northeast coast of Japan.
Kimura said after the auction at the Toyosu fish market, “I thought we could get it for a lower price, but the price went up very quickly.”
The Most Expensive Fish in Japan
The 510.3 million yen price for which the fish was sold is the highest since comparative data collection began in 1999.
The previous record was for a 278-kilogram bluefin tuna sold for 333.6 million yen (2.12 million dollars) in 2019, after the market moved from its traditional location in Tsukiji in central Tokyo to more modern facilities.
Last year, a bidder paid 207 million yen (1.32 million dollars) for a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna.
Bluefin tuna
Bluefin tuna is not a place or cultural site, but a species of large, migratory fish highly valued in global cuisine, particularly for sushi and sashimi. Its history is marked by centuries of fishing in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, leading to significant overfishing and conservation concerns in the modern era.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a rich cultural history spanning over a millennium, from the classical imperial era to the feudal shogunate periods and its rapid modernization following the Meiji Restoration. It is renowned for its unique traditions, such as Shinto and Buddhism, tea ceremonies, and samurai heritage, alongside globally influential modern contributions in technology and pop culture.
Sushi Zanmai
Sushi Zanmai is a popular Japanese sushi restaurant chain founded in 1999 by Kiyoshi Kimura, who is also known as the “Sushi King.” It is particularly famous for its flagship location in Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market, where it gained prominence for purchasing high-profile tuna at auction. The chain emphasizes fresh, affordable sushi and plays a notable role in the contemporary sushi dining culture in Japan.
Tokyo
Tokyo, originally a small fishing village called Edo, became Japan’s political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate there. It was renamed Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”) in 1868 when the emperor moved his residence from Kyoto, solidifying its status as the nation’s capital and a global metropolis.
New Year’s auction
The New Year’s auction is a traditional event held in some cultures, often in East Asia, where markets or temples host special sales at the beginning of the lunar new year. Historically, these auctions symbolize a fresh start and good fortune, with items like artwork, antiques, or symbolic goods being sold to bless buyers for the coming year.
Toyosu fish market
The Toyosu Market is a wholesale fish market in Tokyo that opened in 2018, succeeding the historic Tsukiji Outer Market. It was built to modernize facilities and is now one of the world’s largest fish markets, known for its famous tuna auctions.
Tsukiji
Tsukiji was a famous wholesale fish market in Tokyo, Japan, which operated from 1935 until 2018. It was renowned worldwide for its daily tuna auctions and vibrant inner market. Its operations were relocated to a new site in Toyosu, ending its long history at the original location.
