Japanese sushi chain Sushi Zanmai has set a new Guinness World Record after purchasing the most expensive tuna ever sold at auction for $3.2 million.
The record-breaking bluefin tuna, weighing 243 kilograms, was caught off the coast of Oma in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan. It was acquired by Kyomura Corporation, the parent company of Sushi Zanmai, at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market on January 5, 2026, for 510.3 million yen.
The fish was later processed at the chain’s flagship Tsukiji location and served across its restaurants nationwide. On April 20, 2026, company president Kiyoshi Kimura — widely known as the “Tuna King” — received the official Guinness World Records certificate during a ceremony at the main branch.
Speaking at the event, Kimura said, “We will continue to provide high-quality tuna next year and beyond.”
The purchase underscores the ongoing premium placed on top-grade bluefin tuna in Japan’s high-end sushi market, where seasonal auctions often draw intense bidding from major restaurateurs seeking prestige and quality.
