The world’s first general sale of fully farmed eels began on the 29th. Yamada Suisan (Saiki City, Oita Prefecture) is offering grilled eel (frozen) raised by them at a trial price of around 4,500 yen per eel, aiming to assess consumer feedback before moving toward full-scale commercialization. The sales performance of this high-tech product is drawing attention. At the Tokyo Tsukiji store, it sold out by the afternoon, reflecting strong interest in the technologically advanced product.
Full-cycle farming involves hatching artificially fertilized eggs, raising them to adult fish, and then collecting eggs from those adults to repeat the process. This method is expected to reduce reliance on natural resources and contribute to sustainable supply. However, production costs are still three to four times higher than conventional farming, making cost reduction a key challenge.
The product is available at the Tsukiji store “Yamada no Unagi Unabone Ramen Tsukiji Main Store” and Yamada Suisan’s official online shop. Aeon has also started selling a limited batch of 500 eels online.
Shintaro Yamada (23), a graduate student from Chofu City, Tokyo, lined up at the Tsukiji store from around 7 a.m., before sales began at 11 a.m. “It was moderately fatty, juicy, and went really well with rice,” he said with satisfaction.
Tsukiji
Tsukiji is a historic district in Tokyo, best known for its former role as the world’s largest fish market, which operated from 1935 until its relocation to Toyosu in 2018. While the inner wholesale market moved, the outer market remains a popular culinary destination, offering fresh seafood, street food, and kitchenware. The area’s history reflects Tokyo’s post-war recovery and its development into a global hub for seafood distribution and food culture.
Saiki City
Saiki City, located in Oita Prefecture, Japan, is a historic port town that flourished as a castle town under the Saiki clan during the Edo period. The city is known for its well-preserved samurai residences and the ruins of Saiki Castle, which offer a glimpse into its feudal past. Today, it blends this rich history with scenic coastal beauty and traditional crafts.
Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, is renowned for its abundant hot springs, particularly the famous Beppu and Yufuin onsen resorts. Historically, the area was a key cultural and political center during the feudal era, ruled by influential samurai clans, and it also played a role in early Christian missionary activity. Today, Oita is celebrated for its unique geothermal landscapes, traditional crafts like bamboo work, and the historic Usa Jingu shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto sites.
Tokyo
Tokyo is the bustling capital of Japan, originally a small fishing village named Edo before it became the center of power for the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 17th century. The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning “Eastern Capital,” in 1868 after the Meiji Restoration, when the imperial court moved from Kyoto. Today, it is a global metropolis blending ultramodern skyscrapers with historic temples, reflecting its evolution from a feudal stronghold to a modern cultural and economic hub.
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Tsukiji
Tsukiji is a famous district in Tokyo, Japan, best known for its historic Tsukiji Outer Market, which offers fresh seafood and street food. The area was once home to the world’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market, which operated from 1935 until its relocation to Toyosu in 2018. Tsukiji remains a popular cultural site, blending centuries-old culinary traditions with modern tourism.
Saiki City
Saiki City, located in Oita Prefecture on Japan’s Kyushu island, is a historic port town that flourished as a key hub for maritime trade and the domain of the powerful Saiki clan during the Edo period. The city is known for its well-preserved samurai district, featuring traditional residences and stone walls, as well as the ruins of Saiki Castle, which offer a glimpse into its feudal past. Today, Saiki combines this rich history with natural beauty, including scenic coastlines and the nearby Usuki Stone Buddhas, a national treasure.
Oita Prefecture
Oita Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, is renowned for its abundant hot springs, particularly in the city of Beppu, which has been a popular spa destination for over a century. Historically, it was part of the ancient province of Bungo and played a role in Japan’s feudal era, with sites like the Usa Jingu Shrine dating back over 1,200 years. Today, Oita is also known for its unique “hell” hot springs and scenic landscapes, blending natural beauty with deep cultural heritage.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, was originally a small fishing village named Edo before becoming the political center of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. It was renamed Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”) in 1868 when the Emperor moved from Kyoto, marking the start of the Meiji Restoration. Today, it is a global hub blending ancient temples like Senso-ji with ultra-modern districts such as Shibuya and Shinjuku.
Saiki Castle
Saiki Castle, located in Oita Prefecture, Japan, is a historic hilltop fortress originally built in the 16th century by the powerful Ōtomo clan. It later became the seat of the Saiki Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate, playing a key role in regional politics during the Edo period. Though much of the castle was dismantled in the late 19th century, its stone walls and remaining structures offer a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past.
Beppu
Beppu is a famous hot spring resort city located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, known for its high volume of geothermal activity. Its history as a spa destination dates back over a thousand years, and it became particularly popular during the Edo period for its therapeutic waters. Today, Beppu is renowned for its diverse “hell” hot springs (jigoku), steam vents, and traditional onsen baths, attracting visitors from around the world.
Yufuin
Yufuin is a popular hot spring resort town in Oita Prefecture, Japan, known for its picturesque views of Mount Yufu and serene rural atmosphere. Historically, it developed as a spa destination during the Meiji era, gaining fame for its therapeutic waters and cultural landmarks like the Lake Kinrin pond and the Yufuin Folk Museum. Today, it remains a beloved retreat for tourists seeking relaxation, traditional inns, and local crafts.
