A 276 kg tuna was sold for the second record price in history. It cost about $1.3 million (207 million yen), CNN reported. The transaction took place at a popular Japanese fish market in Tokyo and was caught by a Japanese fisherman.
Bluefin tuna fetched 207 million yen (about $1.3 million) during the first auction in 2025 at the Tokyo fish market, which is the second highest amount in history, CNN reported. The fish, weighing 276 kg, was caught off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, in the northern part of the Japanese island of Honshu.
“The fish was as fat as a cow,” said 73-year-old fisherman Masahiro Takeuchi, recalling the moment he saw the giant tuna he caught on Saturday morning. – It's like a dream. I always worry about how many more years I will be able to do this job, but today I am incredibly happy, he added in an interview with local media.
Tuna weighing 276 kg sold for $1.3 millionPAP/EPA
Highest price ever for tuna
On Sunday, the tuna was purchased by the Sushi Ginza Onodera restaurant chain, which has locations including: in Tokyo and Los Angeles. The restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars for several years.
The highest price ever was achieved by a 278 kg tuna sold during the New Year's auction in 2019 for 333.6 million yen (approx. USD 3.1 million).
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo
Opened in 1935 in the capital Japan The fish market was originally located in the Tsukiji district and was one of the most popular tourist spots in Tokyo. In 2019, it was moved to the nearby artificial island of Toyosu.
Fish market in TokyoPAP/EPA
Japan is the largest consumer of tuna in the world.
According to WWF, bluefin tuna is an endangered species due to excessive and illegal fishing. This species does not breed in captivity.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA