Toi Tuna is a highly prized tuna from the waters around Toi Fishing Port in Hakodate. Its reputation has been growing thanks to its exceptional freshness and high quality, made possible by the careful and rapid handling of the fish immediately after it is caught.
Toi Fishing Port is located on the northern side of the Tsugaru Strait. The area is an excellent fishing ground where the warm Kuroshio Current, flowing northward along the Pacific side of Japan, meets the cold Oyashio Current moving south from the Bering Sea.
Across the strait is Aomori Prefecture, with the famous Oma fishing grounds only about 18 kilometers away. Because the two areas compete for high-quality tuna from the same waters, the relationship between Toi and Oma is sometimes described as a friendly rivalry.
One of the defining characteristics of Toi Tuna is the speed of handling after the fish is caught. The tuna is immediately brought aboard the fishing vessel and quickly bled to remove blood from the body.
It is then placed in an ice-cold water tank in the hold, where it is kept in a chilled condition. This rapid cooling helps preserve the tuna’s freshness and quality for longer than might otherwise be possible.
Because of this careful handling, Toi Tuna is known for its excellent freshness and ability to maintain high quality. It is also regarded as having good yield, meaning that a large proportion of the fish can be used effectively.
These qualities have made Toi Tuna increasingly popular among seafood distributors and sushi restaurants. For diners, it offers the opportunity to experience high-quality tuna from the waters around Hakodate.
The main season for Toi Tuna is November through January, making winter an especially good time to seek it out in Hakodate.
With its prime fishing grounds, cold northern waters and meticulous onboard handling, Toi Tuna represents the combination of natural conditions and skilled seafood craftsmanship that gives Hakodate its strong reputation as a destination for fresh seafood.
November, December and January