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Series | Letters from Kesennuma | November: "The Symbol of Kesennuma Supporting Fishermen"

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Series | Letters from Kesennuma | November: "The Symbol of Kesennuma Supporting Fishermen"

Osaki Shrine, a place of utmost importance to Kesennuma's fishermen. Its presence is commanding.

As I returned to Kesennuma, the sun was just beginning to set. My accommodation that night was Hotel Ikkeikaku, one of the first establishments to be rebuilt. In the deep darkness of the night, the hotel's lights offered a sense of peace.

The stately mansion of the Furudate family, its opulent architecture overwhelming even from a distance.

Gathered around the hearth, I listened intently to the stories of the former boatmen and their wives.

Dusk falls early in April. The sea of Karakuwa, reflecting the faint, shimmering afterglow, was calm and serene.

A scene that came into view as I left Karakuwa. Various aquaculture rafts float in the inner bay.

It was completely dark by the time the bar cruising began. The first stop was the prefab "Revival Marche."

The bar menu at "Horumon Rihei." A great value for one ticket! But I couldn't resist ordering another beer for an extra charge.

This is the bar menu from "Asahi Sushi," which reopened in "Minamimachi Murasaki Market." I savored a sip with the homemade shiokara as an appetizer. True to Kesennuma, it was a tuna roll.

The third stop, after some deliberation, was "Hamaran-ya" at the "Revival Yatai Village Kesennuma Yokocho." Famous for its "Hamaran Yaki," the bar menu featured Kesennumaホルモン & half Hamaran Yaki (mentaiko mayo, sauce, teriyaki mayo). Paired with wine.

The Kesennuma Bar is scheduled to be held again in the spring of 2015. I hope it becomes a fixture and a catalyst for drawing tourists to Kesennuma.

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Series | Letters from Kesennuma | November: "Kesennuma's Symbols Supporting Fishermen"

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