Gifts from Overseas Guests

Thanks to Paolo featuring Yahata Sushi on his YouTube channel, “Behind the Counter,” as well as reviews from overseas guests, we have welcomed many travelers. Some guests even give us souvenirs from their home countries after their meal.

It seems they are so pleased with the sushi they have enjoyed that they give them to us as a token of thanks.

For my part, it is an immense honor that they are pleased with their meal and even give us souvenirs as well.

The other day, a family visiting from Los Angeles, USA, gave souvenirs from Los Angeles to the fifth-generation owner, Yuya, and Kitajima-kun, saying, “It was truly delicious, so please accept this as a token of our gratitude.”

Even though we are the ones who should be thanking them for coming.

I can understand bringing gifts when visiting acquaintances from overseas, but even if Yahata Sushi was one of the purposes of their trip, I am surprised that they would go out of their way to bring us souvenirs.

Of course, we are truly grateful for the thought, but when I put myself in their place, I wonder whether I could do the same when traveling abroad.

If something makes you happy when someone does it for you, try doing it yourself.

The next time I have the chance to travel abroad, I will bring along a few souvenirs, even if they are only small items.

That way, I may be able to connect with local people, and perhaps help them feel goodwill toward—or take an interest in—Japan.