JAPAN - Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is the most south prefecture in Honshu island, Japan.




Kanmonkyo Bridge or in short Kanmon Bridge is the suspension bridge crossing the Kanmon Strait between Japan’s two main island.






We have now crossed the bridge and entered Yamaguchi prefecture.






Stopped by a local mini mart.












We were told by our tour guide that we’re going to eat Fugu (puffer fish in Japanese) for lunch that day! Puffer fish is considered a delicacy in Japan and it can be lethal if not served properly.





The restaurant serving puffer fish has a fish tank filled with puffer fish to ensure its freshness.







The certified puffer fish chef caught one to demonstrate the proper way to prepare and serve a puffer fish. He went through intensive training and it took him at least three years to be certified. There is no margin for error. Caution: Don’t read any further if you can’t stomach the gruesome image of a fish being slaughtered alive.




The fish began to grew in size when it felt threatened.








First, the chef cut off its mouth so that the fish wouldn’t be able to bite him.


Our tour guide standing besides the chef acted as our translator.


Next, the chef cut off its fin.


Then the chef carefully peeled off the fish’s skin. Normally the chef would knock off the fish because the fish would struggle violently (what wouldn’t?). But he made this demonstration an exception for our tour.




The poor fish was still alive.


The chef removed its internal organ which is poisonous if it is a wild fish carefully. Only the wild puffer fish is poisonous because what it eats. The farm breed ones are safe to consume.


The removed internal organs. Even after its heart was removed, the fish can somehow still moved!


It was a gruesome sight.


Puffer fish sashimi, anyone? Erm, no thanks. Especially after watching the process of slaughtering the fish.




Fried puffer fish for lunch.




Walk around leisurely near the restaurant.





Next, we’re on our way to Hiroshima.


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