World Record Itsukiboshi Crab 2019
World Record Itsukiboshi Crab 2019
The World Record Itsukiboshi Snow Crab 2019 (sold on 11/07/2019) is a snow crab, or chionoecetes opilio, caught off the Tottori Prefecture in Japan that holds the Guinness World Records for being the "world's most expensive crab sold at auction". It sold for ¥5 million (~$46,000). [1]
Overview
The winning bidder was Tetsuji Hamashita, president of fishery wholesaler Hanashita Shoten. He plans to sell the crab to an upscale restaurant in the Ginza neighborhood. He told The Japan Times: [1]
"We came to this year’s first auction hoping that we would bid the world’s highest price again.
I believe it is a good crab filled with meat."
"I know it's extreme.
But it's the custom.
But I am sure the taste of the crab matches the price."
According to custom, auction goers believe it's good luck to buy the first and best catch of the season.
The sale was met with applause and shouts of "banzai!", which means "long life".[2]
The previous record was also set by Hamashita Shoten Co. in 2018, when a snow crab sold for ¥2,000,000, or $17,648.40.