“Maguro” (meaning “tuna”) is by far the most popular sushi element in Japan. One order of maguro could cost you anywhere from 99 yen to 2,500 yen.
Why the enormous price difference in the same fish? Much like cow, tuna is large enough that it has different cuts. Those different cuts contain different amounts of fattiness. In Japan fat content = more butteriness = more $$$ (or ￥￥￥). The sushi portrayed on the side is in order of price. At conveyor belt sushi you may find tekka-maki, negi-toro, and maguro for 99 yen, but you will never see that price on chu-toro or o-toro.
In 2013, Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of sushi chain “Sushi Zanmai,” made a record-breaking 155 million yen bid (approx. $1.78 million) on a bluefin tuna fish. Tunafish bids take place at Tsukiji Market. Go while you can, Tsukiji Market is going to undergo a move in location for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
