The price for the grapes, Ruby Roman, eclipsed the previous high of 1.10 million yen marked last year.

"We're happy as we wanted to buy them (the grapes) in their 10th year in the market," said Takao Teshima, the winning bidder and general manager of Kagaya, an exclusive "onsen" hot springs inn based in Nanao, Ishikawa. "We hope many people will enjoy them."

Teshima was speaking after the auction, held at the central wholesale market of Kanazawa, capital of the prefecture. (Jiji Press)