Yellowtail

ぶり

A classic 'promotion fish' whose name changes with size. Winter 'kanburi' caught wild in Toyama, Ishikawa, and Niigata (Japan Sea) is prized as the highest grade, but aquaculture accounts for about half of total production — Kagoshima, Ehime, Oita, and Nagasaki dominate the overall rankings as farmed buri producers. Versatile — buri-daikon, teriyaki, shabu-shabu and more

Taste & Texture

Winter 'kanburi' offers rich fat and deep umami. Sashimi highlights sweet fat; buri-daikon develops a complex savory sauce; teriyaki brings out aromatic flavors. Known as a 'promotion fish' — name changes by size: inada → warasa → buri

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Jan - Dec

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Fillets should have bright red bloodline and pink-to-white flesh with translucency.

  • Whole fish should have clear eyes and glossy skin.

  • Farmed buri is fattier and paler; wild winter 'kanburi' has firmer flesh.

How to Store

  • Pat fillets dry with paper towels, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and store in the coldest part of the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

  • Pre-seasoned and frozen, it keeps for about 2 weeks.

Shelf life 1-2 days refrigerated; about 2 weeks frozen (pre-seasoned)

Nutrition Facts

Retail Price

Price Trend

Cheapest Jul ¥326/100g
Most Expensive Feb ¥485/100g

Annual Average

¥375/100g

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2026)

Top Landing Prefectures

Kagoshima14.0%
Nagasaki12.0%
Ehime9.7%
Hokkaido7.5%
Oita7.3%
Others49.4%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Production (t)
Share
1
25,462
14.0%
2
21,837
12.0%
3
17,603
9.7%
4
13,659
7.5%
5
13,232
7.3%

Source: MAFF Marine Fisheries Production Statistics (wild + aquaculture) (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Production Trends (2018-2023)

Kagoshima
Nagasaki
Ehime
Hokkaido
Oita

Consumption Ranking

National Average (annual spending per household)

¥3,040 /year
#
City
Annual Spending
1
Toyama Toyama
¥7,610
2
Kobe Hyogo
¥5,704
3
Nagasaki Nagasaki
¥4,877
4
Takamatsu Kagawa
¥4,756
5
Matsue Shimane
¥4,708

Source: Statistics Bureau Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2024, two-or-more-person households, prefectural capital cities)