Traders have started bidding at the first tuna auction of 2025 at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market. The top item fetched the second highest price on record.

The lively auction began with a bell shortly after 5 a.m. on Sunday. Bids were made for raw and frozen tuna from across Japan and around the world.

The top item was a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna unloaded at the port of Oma in the northern prefecture of Aomori. A trader bought the fish for 207 million yen, or about 1.3 million dollars.

That is the second highest since comparable data became available in 1999. The highest bid on record is 333.6 million yen, or about 2.1 million dollars, marked in 2019.

Lesser-Known facts about Toyosu fish markets

The Toyosu Fish Market is built on a man-made island in the Bay of Tokyo using reclaimed land. It was part of an initiative to expand Tokyo’s footprint and accommodate a growing population. Originally an industrial zone, it’s now a thriving urban area with a strong pipeline of new projects and developments

State of the Art Refrigeration. One of the main needs for moving the fish market was to upgrade to the latest state of the art refrigeration technology. The new system provides more consistent and optimal temperature controls.

Remote Bidding System. Buyers no longer have to physically be present at the morning auctions and can participate remotely via a digital bidding system.

Seismic Isolation Technology. Japan is susceptible to earthquakes, so newer developments have incorporated advanced early detection system for seismic activities. The infrastructure has been designed to withstand major earthquakes for greater safety.

Largest fish market in the world. The Tsukiji Market was the largest in the world. The Toyosu Markets is double the size, so it easily retains that distinction.

Most expensive tuna ever sold at auction. At 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million USD at the time), the 612-pound bluefin tuna sold to the “Tuna King” Kiyoshi Kimora in 2019 holds the record for the most expensive tuna ever auctioned.