Where I see myself in 3 years

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I teach English at a century old traditional Japanese Restaurant in Karatsu, Genyou.

The owner told me about 立志(Risshi)which means "setting one's aim in life." When you have an end in mind it's a lot easier to figure out what kind of steps to take now.

So, I decided to set my aim in my current life which I want to accomplish.

I'll set it to 3 years, as I will become 40. Life starts at 40! I finally have a purpose I want to work on for the rest of my life, to enhance exchange of food culture of Japan.

Keep learning and sharing food culture of Japan

3 years from now, I will be working on an information hub of Japanese food culture in Karatsu, where I settled.

Karatsu is rich in its local ingredients, from seafood, meat, vegetables, and fruits. Karatsu 唐津 was named "The port to the continent"centuries ago, being the hub of cultures coming in and out of Japan.

Karatsu ware, an origin of pottery of the area

A good example is pottery. Pottery came from Korea that influenced and evolved to Karatsu ware. It later spread to nearby Arita, Imari within Saga Prefecture, Hasami in Nagasaki, and Kyushu became a big pottery area of Japan.

The technique was shared all the way to Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

It's still hidden but Karatsu was the origin of pottery of the area. About 70 Karatsu ware kilns still run within Karatsu City, some walkable from Karatsu station.

In such a materialistic and speedy world,  it helps me to live and enjoy the moment of having meals when I have it with Karatsu ware. 

There are cafes and restaurants that use Karatsu ware scattered within the city. By using and dining with Karatsu ware and not just any teaches me to slow down and enjoy life.

The Sake Culture of Saga

Just 5 minutes away from my house in Karatsu is where rice cultivation started in Japan. Saga has been an important rice producer of Japan which makes great sake.

Nabeshima and Shichida are two well known brands internationally.

In Karatsu, locals love Taiko and Manrei which are traditional sake breweries that also makes great sake from Karatsu.

When I first had the sake, Shichida and Taki were the ones that stood out.

I felt something different from the sake I had in other provinces.

It's very mineral but aromatic. Pairs really well with food.

That incident stuck with me, and now I'm hooked with sake.

Food Experts in Karatsu

I'm not the only one fascinated by the food culture in Karatsu.

In such a small city with just 110,000, there are restaurants that made it to the Michelin book. 

More and more chefs will continue to migrate to the city attracted to the ingredients.

The locals have more time than the people in the city.

How they fish and take care of the seafood, how they cook them uses traditional methods that do not rely on machines and chemicals.

I hope the tradition continues to be passed on to the next generations with the help of food experts that notice the value Karatsu has.

But keeping its tradition makes it a challenge to fight depopulation that the countryside in Japan face.

The low wages here results in younger generations to migrate to nearby Fukuoka, or Osaka and Tokyo where the population is growing and has a much higher standard of living.

That's why it's important to promote the area to people interested in food culture of Japan, to fund the sustainability of the city.

In 3 years time, I will have more knowledge in the food culture here, and bridge the interaction and exchange of food cultures with locals and internationals.

What I do now

So in three years I will develop an information hub of Japanese food culture in Karatsu. Then, what would I do now? 

This journey started when the chamber of commerce introduced me to a century old traditional Japanese restaurant Genyou, to become their English teacher. 

Teaching them English allowed me to discover how skillful and passionate they are in its food culture. 

The owner Kosuke Zenda, then introduced me to the head of the Karatsu Tourism Board, Mr. Sakamoto.

I now work with Mr. Sakamoto on Thursday and Friday at Choko Bar, just a 5 minute walk from Karatsu Station.

Choko 猪口 means sake cup. Choko Bar serves local sake and food with Karatsu ware. It's owned by a well known Karatsu ware gallery, Ichibankan just in front.

I have the chance to learn about Karatsu ware while I serve local sake and food at this bar.

I will also start a sake tasting guide on Airbnb, where I can promote the local sake and food of the area.

I want to explore Karatsu and learn more about the food culture here, step by step the next year or so.

This experience will lead me to know more about the city and bridge local food experts and international travelers interested in Japanese food culture!

So, this is the update of what I will be working on in the next 3 years.

For me, it sure is a journey from the day I decided to change my habits during the pandemic.
For those who are struggling in life I suggest you shouldn't blame yourself, but to blame it on the bad habits building that is resulting in the outcome that isn't satisfying you.

If you change your habits and you stick with the good ones, I'm confident life will be better.

Come see me at Choko Bar just in front of Karatsu Station

I work as a sake bartender at Choko Bar, a bar/cafe where you can try local sake and light meals with Karatsu ware dishes and cups.


I'm currently in charge of Thursdays and Fridays, and on weekends and public holidays a very nice and gourmet lady from Kitakyushu.

The owner wants me to make it a place for international travelers to know more about Karatsu, and I'll do my best to connect you with the local regulars that know a lot about this small but very interesting Bushido and foodie town!

Come join me on the journey at Karatsu. 

I moved into Karatsu on March, 2025 from the variety of fish it has.

But I want to try to work with the local businesses and the government to show you hints of the samurai town.

It has great traditional content that is interesting, but it's still hidden.

It will be my pleasure to show you the charms of the samurai city as an experience that we all can learn from to better our lives.

    Where to stay in Karatsu:

    松 Higher Class: Yoyokaku, Mizuno Ryokan
    Apartment style with kitchen: Hotel Nine States Karatsu

    Where to eat in Karatsu:

    What to do in Karatsu:

    Thanks for Reading! 

    Follow me on my journey discovering the best fish dishes of Japan. I will open a fish laboratory in my akiya abandoned house I'm going to live soon.

    I would love to connect with people interested in fishes, cooking, and Japanese food. Share me your interests, and let's hang out!

    This will be my long game, and I look forward to sharing what happens.

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