Tuna Heaven in Shiogama: Tuna auction, carving and sushi workshop!

Many assume that the auctions held at big-city markets like Toyosu (previously Tsukiji) in Tokyo are the heart of Japan’s seafood trade, but this is actually the second time the giant tuna have been sold to market! The true heart of the action actually occurs a day earlier at Shiogama City Fish Market, the home of the largest catch of fresh tuna in all of Japan. 

Experience the action for yourself with this rare chance to view the auction up-close from the market floor itself, guided by a local tuna wholesaler. This area is usually completely off-limits to the public (who can view from the closed-off gallery) – only on this tour will you gain special permission to enter the market as if you were a local wholesaler yourself! 

The auction is also famous for being the fastest in Japan, with the action over and done with in around 30 minutes! Watch in awe as the pack of wholesalers moves down the lines and lines of giant tuna at a crazy pace, calling out unintelligible prices and bids as they go. 

After the auction, retreat to the onsite seafood restaurant where you’ll have the chance to carve-up one of the massive tuna bought at the same auction. Use the fresh sashimi to make your own nigiri-sushi and devour it for breakfast, alongside a feast of tuna sashimi and even some cooked tuna dishes. 

Earn all the bragging rights among your foodie friends – tuna simply does not get any fresher than this! 

OUTLINE

MEETING PLACE

TOUR COURSE

07:30

Meet your guide in front of Higashi-Shiogama Station (JR Senseki Line) and walk together to Shiogama Wholesale Fish Market (approx. 15 mins). 

07:45

Arrive at the fish market and meet with the local seafood wholesaler for an introduction to the market and daily auction proceedings.

08:00

The auction begins! 

The daily auction at Shiogama Wholesale Fish Market is famous for two main reasons: 

1. Shiogama Port is one of the most important ports in all of Japan, boasting the country’s largest catch of fresh tuna daily. These tuna are first auctioned in Shiogama before being shipped off to larger markets around Japan like Tokyo’s Toyosu market (previously Tsukiji). As such, the tuna sold at Shiogama’s auction are actually one step fresher! 
2. Despite the incredible number of tuna that pass through the market everyday (especially in Summer and Autumn), Shiogama’s tuna auction is also the fastest in Japan! It is incredible to watch as a huge group of wholesales moves down the lines and lines of fish at a flying pace, yelling out prices and bids at such a rate that it sounds like a completely unintelligible foreign language.  

 

The wholesalers then whisk away their prizes and load them onto trucks to be shipped all over Japan. 

08:40

Once the action has finished at the auction, it’s time to head up stairs to the onsite seafood restaurant to taste the catch of the day! 

Your wholesaler guide (Mr. Takeda) will select one of the tuna bought at auction and will prepare it for carving.

 

 

09:00

Under the guidance of a professional, learn how to carve up the huge tuna into blocks of high-grade sashimi, ready to be transformed into your breakfast! 

Takeda-san will then show you how to make delicious nigiri-sushi with the fresh tuna! 

After the workshop, sit down to a decadent breakfast of your own hand-made nigiri-sushi, various cuts of tuna sashimi and even some cooked tuna dishes. 

 

10:00

Tour ends after breakfast! 

Head back to the station with your guide or continue to explore Shiogama City!