Yoichi Ochiai

Here is a book.

One of the books Nobuhiko Ochiai avidly read as a student was “America Yo! America Yo!”

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Nobuhiko Ochiai was a writer who caused a tremendous sensation among young people at the time.

The fifth-generation owner was also one of the many people profoundly influenced by him, and “America Yo!” was practically his bible—a book he has reread so many times that he has lost count.

Admiring Nobuhiko Ochiai, he had long, long hoped that one day Mr. Ochiai would come and enjoy sushi at our counter.

Sadly, however, he learned that Mr. Ochiai had passed away this February, and that dream could never come true.

But then, incredibly, his son, Yoichi Ochiai, visited us the other day!!

The story behind it is a little long, but please allow me to tell it.

One day, a student from Professor Ochiai’s laboratory came to Yahata Sushi.

Apparently, Professor Ochiai had suggested that the student make sushi the subject of his research, and by chance, he ended up conducting fieldwork at Yahata Sushi.

While enjoying the chef’s selection of nigiri at the counter, he asked many questions about sushi, which the fifth-generation owner answered sincerely.

The fifth-generation owner also told him how much he had read Nobuhiko Ochiai’s work as a student and how deeply it had influenced him.

The student said that he would tell Professor Yoichi Ochiai about it, and that is how his visit came to pass.

As you all know, Professor Yoichi Ochiai, too, is someone who influences people as much as—if not more than—Nobuhiko Ochiai did in his day.

Naturally, he could not help but be excited to make sushi for someone like that.

Even so, he calmed his excitement and prepared the usual chef’s selection of nigiri with all his heart.

True to his reputation as a sushi lover, Professor Ochiai enjoyed it with evident pleasure.

What a joy. What an incredible joy.

The seminar students were also happily chatting with their professor, giving us the sense that his seminar is a warm and close-knit one.

We would be delighted if this occasion leads to future visits as well.

Thank you very much for visiting us.