Japanese Sushi Chain Operator Sets Guinness World Record for Most Expensive Tuna at Auction

Apr 25, 2026, 03:46

Introduction

Kiyomura Corp., the operator of the Sushizanmai sushi chain, has set a new Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna purchased at auction. The record came after a bid of ¥510.3 million (approximately $4.08 million or $3.2 million, depending on the exchange rate) at the first auction of 2026 at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market.

Main Body

The record-setting bluefin tuna, weighing 243 kilograms, was caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The purchase took place on January 5, 2026, at the Toyosu market's annual New Year auction. The fish was then processed at Sushizanmai's main Tsukiji outlet and distributed to its restaurants across the country. Kiyomura President Kiyoshi Kimura received the Guinness World Records certificate at a ceremony at the chain's main outlet on April 20. He stated that the company intends to continue offering high-quality tuna in future years. This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for Kiyomura Corp. The company previously held the title for a bluefin tuna bought for ¥155.4 million at the first auction of 2013. According to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the 2026 winning bid is the highest recorded since comparable records became available in 1999. Furthermore, the trend of top bids at these annual auctions has shown a sharp increase: from ¥36 million in 2023, to ¥114 million in 2024, and ¥270 million in 2025. The practice of making large bids at the year's first auction has become a long-standing tradition among Japanese bidders. Participants see the event as a source of good luck and an opportunity for restaurants to get publicity. In addition, watching the early-morning tuna auctions from the market's observation deck has become a major tourist attraction.

Conclusion

Kiyomura Corp. has secured a second Guinness World Record for the most expensive tuna at auction. This reflects a broader trend of increasing bids at Tokyo's first tuna auction of the year, which serves both as a cultural tradition and a marketing opportunity for the sushi industry.

Vocabulary Learning

achievement (n.)
something that has been done successfully, especially through hard work成就；成績
Example:This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for the company.
bid (n.)
an offer to pay a particular amount of money for something出價；投標
Example:The company made a record bid of ¥510.3 million for the tuna.
distribute (v.)
to give something out to several people or places分發；分配
Example:The fish was distributed to Sushizanmai's restaurants across the country.
intend (v.)
to have a plan or purpose in mind打算；計劃
Example:The company intends to continue offering high-quality tuna.
publicity (n.)
the attention that someone or something gets from newspapers, television, etc.宣傳；關注
Example:The auction is an opportunity for restaurants to get publicity.

Sentence Learning

This achievement marks the second Guinness World Record for Kiyomura Corp., which previously held the title for a bluefin tuna bought for ¥155.4 million at the first auction of 2013.
Relative clause with 'which': This sentence uses a non-defining relative clause introduced by 'which' to provide additional information about Kiyomura Corp. The clause 'which previously held the title...' adds background without restricting the meaning. This helps organize ideas by adding extra details in a separate clause.此句使用由 'which' 引導的非限定性關係從句，為 Kiyomura Corp. 提供額外資訊。從句 'which previously held the title...' 補充背景，不限制主句意思。這有助於以獨立從句添加細節，組織想法。
The record-setting bluefin tuna, weighing 243 kilograms, was caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.
Passive voice: The passive voice 'was caught' shifts focus from the doer (the fisherman) to the action and the object (the tuna). This is common in formal reporting to emphasize the event rather than the agent. The present participle phrase 'weighing 243 kilograms' adds description.被動語態 'was caught' 將焦點從動作執行者（漁民）轉移到動作本身和受詞（吞拿魚）。這在正式報導中常見，強調事件而非執行者。現在分詞片語 'weighing 243 kilograms' 補充描述。
The fish was then processed at Sushizanmai's main Tsukiji outlet and distributed to its restaurants across the country.
Passive voice with coordinated verbs: The passive construction 'was processed and distributed' uses two past participles connected by 'and'. This shows a sequence of actions performed on the fish, keeping the subject (the fish) consistent and the focus on the process.被動結構 'was processed and distributed' 使用兩個過去分詞，以 'and' 連接。這顯示對魚進行的連續動作，保持主語（魚）一致，並聚焦於過程。
Furthermore, the trend of top bids at these annual auctions has shown a sharp increase: from ¥36 million in 2023, to ¥114 million in 2024, and ¥270 million in 2025.
Linking word 'Furthermore': 'Furthermore' is a formal linking adverb used to add supporting information. It signals that the following statement builds on the previous one, helping to structure arguments logically. The colon introduces a list illustrating the increase.'Furthermore' 是正式連接副詞，用於添加支持資訊。它表示後續陳述基於前文，有助於邏輯地組織論點。冒號引出列表，說明增長情況。
In addition, watching the early-morning tuna auctions from the market's observation deck has become a major tourist attraction.
Linking phrase 'In addition': 'In addition' is a linking phrase that introduces an extra point. It connects the idea of the auction as a tradition and as a tourist attraction, showing multiple aspects. The gerund phrase 'watching...' acts as the subject.'In addition' 是連接片語，引入額外觀點。它將拍賣作為傳統和旅遊景點的概念聯繫起來，展示多方面。動名詞片語 'watching...' 充當主語。