Not the type of fish you can casually pick up... (Photo: Chris Barnes)

Cutting a 489lb Tuna, Tsukiji Style

Finesse, precision and a whole lot of power!

Chris Barnes   - 1 min read

This year, a Tokyo based sushi chain paid a record 155.4 million yen ($1.76 million) in Tsukiji Fish Market's first auction of the year for an unusually large Tuna weighing 222 kilograms (489 pounds). The majority of Tuna found at the Tsukiji Market are delivered snap frozen. So how exactly do these fishmongers handle, cut and prepare tuna and other sakana (fish) into delicious slices of sashimi? I went to find out exactly how this is done and was allowed to see the entire process from the receiving of the fish to cutting to final packaging.

More info

Find out more about Tsukiji Market.

Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes @chris.barnes

A little while ago i began exploring the world. I started in Japan, and after 29 countries of amazing adventures, i find myself back in Japan fully absorbed in its culture, its people and its beauty.