I must admit, without a clear purpose of eating eel, one might not often find a reason to visit the quiet town of Yotsugi. It’s not a vibrant tourist destination or a trendy café district. Yet, nestled in this tranquil area is the renowned restaurant "Unagi Uomasa," frequented by eel lovers and even celebrities. Here, you can savor not only farmed eel but also the rare natural eel, making it a must-visit spot for any eel enthusiast. For me, it feels like a pilgrimage to a sacred place.First, I enjoyed a chilled glass of Japanese sake while waiting for the eel to be grilled. Accompanying my drink was fried eel bones, which turned out to be quite addictive. Once I took a crunchy bite, I couldn’t stop. It was like an adult version of "can’t stop, won’t stop." I would grab a bone, take a sip of sake, then back to the bones again. By the time the eel was ready, I was already treated to a delightful feast.Finally, the moment arrived for the lacquered box to be served. As I opened the lid, I couldn’t help but smile. Inside was a lavish spread of eel, eel, and more eel. It was like a carpet made entirely of eel. As I picked up my chopsticks, the tender flesh easily flaked apart. The softness and the rich flavor of the eel filled my mouth, enhanced by a refined sauce that wasn’t overly sweet. The balance of the fat, the sauce, and the rice made each bite a reminder of why eel is so wonderful. And inevitably, I always conclude with, "I’m glad to have been born Japanese." This sentiment never changes, no matter how many times I eat it (laughs).In life, there are luxury watches and designer bags, but when faced with freshly grilled delicious eel, those thoughts vanish in an instant. Ultimately, happiness might be surprisingly simple. Delicious eel and Japanese sake. And friends to share that joy with. What more could one wish for? This is why I make the trip all the way to Yotsugi. …Today was truly delightful.