The Yamayuki Maguro: Japan's Ultimate Bluefin Tuna
I don't know if you follow a baseball. But we all love baseball in Japan. There was a big news from Japan last week that wasn't just about the game but Tuna. When the LA Dodgers and Chicago Cubs visited Tokyo, all eyes were also on the other festivities too. One of the the highlights that I noticed was that there was a special team dinner hosted by Japanese baseball superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.
But this wasn't your typical team dinner. The players were treated to something uniquely Japanese—a traditional tuna cutting show featuring premium wild-caught bluefin. The Dodgers players couldn't stop raving about it, calling it the "best sushi ever!"
Many of Hokkaido Uni Shop customer know why Japanese Tuna is so special but those who you don't know what made this tuna so specia. It wasn't just any bluefin—it was the legendary Yamayuki Selection 山幸, a true rarity even in Japan where most restaurants actually serve imported tuna outside of Japan.
What Makes This Yamayuki Tuna So Special?
The folks at Yamayuki have one simple rule: flavor comes first, looks second and care about supplying domesic Japanese tuna called "Kokusan" 国産. While most tuna buyers just check how pretty the fish looks on the outside, Yamayuki's experts do things differently.
"We only know if it's good when we cut into it," says the owner. "Sometimes a tuna looks perfect but doesn't taste great—we won't sell that to our customers even if we lose money."
This dedication has led to some funny situations. Once, a restaurant panicked when they received a tuna that looked almost black! But when they tasted it? Mind-blowing flavor that had them calling back to apologize.
Tuna Experts Who Know Their Seasons
Like a farmer knows their land, Yamayuki knows exactly when and where to find the best tuna:
- In early spring, they seek out the smaller, super-flavorful tuna caught in nets near Sado Island
- March brings special tuna from waters between Hachijojima and Miyakejima islands
- The cold northern waters produce tuna with perfect fat that melts in your mouth
This deep knowledge helps them pick the perfect tuna for each season—something that's taken decades to master.
The Ultimate Quality Check
How serious is Yamayuki about quality? The owner actually eats at customer restaurants about 300 days a year! He personally checks how each restaurant prepares his tuna and gives them tips to make it even better.
This obsession with quality is why over 40 Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan will only use Yamayuki tuna. From traditional sushi masters to cutting-edge chefs, the pros trust Yamayuki.
Bring This Amazing Tuna to Your Home!
Here's the exciting part: You don't need to fly to Japan or book a table at a fancy Michelin restaurant to taste this incredible tuna.
Hokkaido Uni Shop is the esource for Yamayuki Selection tuna outside of Japan. The exact same tuna that had MLB stars buzzing can be delivered right to your door.
Whether you're hosting a special dinner or just want to treat yourself to something extraordinary, this is your chance to enjoy restaurant-quality sushi at home. Imagine serving your friends the same tuna that's reserved for Japan's finest restaurants!
Yamayuki Selection is available at Hokkaido Uni Shop
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