In Pictures: Tsukiji fish market's New Year auction

It is one of Japan’s many New Year holiday rituals: In the early hours of Tuesday (Jan 5) morning, a massive, fresh bluefin tuna was auctioned for about 14 million yen (S$167,000) at Tokyo’s 80-year-old Tsukiji market.

If all goes as planned, the tradition will not be quite the same next year. The world’s biggest and most famous fish and seafood market is due to move in November to a massive complex further south in Tokyo Bay, making way for redevelopment of the prime slice of downtown real estate.

Updated

Published

Jan 05, 2016, 10:10 AM

Mr Kiyoshi Kimura (centre), who runs a chain of sushi restaurants, holding a sword as he poses with a 200kg bluefin tuna at his restaurant outside the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. PHOTO: REUTERS

A wholesaler carrying a frozen tuna after the New Year's auction at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. PHOTO: REUTERS

Bluefin tuna are auctioned during the first trading day of the new year at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: AFP

Bluefin tuna are auctioned during the first trading day of the new year at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: AFP

Mr Kiyoshi Kimura (centre), who runs a chain of sushi restaurants, holding a sword as he poses with a 200kg bluefin tuna at his restaurant outside the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. PHOTO: REUTERS

An auctioneer gestures as wholesalers bid for frozen tuna during the New Year's auction at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. PHOTO: REUTERS

Fishmongers inspecting frozen bluefin tuna before the first auction of the new year at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: AFP

Bluefin tuna are taken away by a fishmonger on the first trading day of the new year at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: AFP

A wholesaler checking the quality of fresh tuna displayed at the Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: PHOTO: REUTERS

A wholesaler checking the quality of frozen tuna displayed at the Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: PHOTO: REUTERS

Wholesalers checking the quality of fresh tuna displayed at the Tsukiji fish market. PHOTO: PHOTO: REUTERS

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