Back in February 2023, we traveled to Japan and headed north of Kyoto in the countryside and our airbnb host brought us to a small town called Obama in the Fukui prefecture. We had the pleasure of meeting an old Japanese man who ran a Shichirin Sumibi Yaki stall outside the local municipal fish market.
It was a cold, rainy day and he treated us with such kindness and hospitality. The grills were heavy and in his 80+ years of age, he was still lifting the grills and patiently kindling a fire so we could grill our fresh fish to eat. He was a kind, gentle soul who took great pride in his craft. Watching him prepare the fire and sit patiently in his stall for customers was a unique and humbling experience. Sadly, we learned he suddenly passed a few weeks after we dined there. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him and him letting me take his photo.
Location: Wakasa Obama Fish Center
