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Enormous Tuna Auctioned off for $3.1 Million at Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market

Jan. 07, 2019
2 min read
JAPAN-FLIFESTYLE-FISHING-AUCTION-FOOD-TUNA
Enormous Tuna Auctioned off for $3.1 Million at Tokyo's Toyosu Fish Market
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Sushi lovers, feast your eyes on the gargantuan tuna that netted $3.1 million at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market Saturday, Jan. 5.

The giant bluefin tuna, caught near northern Japan's Aomori prefecture, garnered attention from buyers with its extraordinary weight of 612 pounds. That being said -- it's no surprise that it snagged the interest of Kiyoshi Kimura, the president of sushi restaurant chain Sushi-Zanmai, among many other bidders at its debut at the market's New Year's auction.

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 05: Kiyomura Co. President Kiyoshi Kimura cuts a fresh bluefin tuna at one of the company's Sushi Zanmai sushi restaurants after the year's first auction at Toyosu Fish Market on January 05, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Kiyomura Co. bid for the highest priced tuna weighing 278 kilogram (612lbs) for 333.6 million yen ($3.07 million) at the year's first auction. (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)

"I expected it (the tuna) will be between 30 million and 50 million yen ($276,421 - $460,702), or highest at 60 million yen ($552,843), but it ended up five times more expensive," said Kimura to CNN. This, however, did not stop the restaurant owner from breaking the market record, which was set at 155 million yen in 2013. "The tuna looks so tasty because it's fat and (looks) very fresh. It is a good tuna. But I think I did too much," Kimura added.

The New Years Auction is the first following the closure and relocation of the world famous Tsukiji Fish Market to Toyosu. The original market was a long-time staple among Tokyo tourists, operating for more than 80 years and earning about $14 million worth of business daily. It was also considered to be the largest fish market in the world. While the initial transition from Tsukiji to Toyosu wasn't exactly the smoothest ride (a survey revealed that about 80% of Tsukiji fish traders were opposed to the move), the new market layout and lighting has, at least, made it easier for spectators to view the live tuna auctions.

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.