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During a trip to Nagasaki and Shimabara, I realized two days before that I had not made any reservations for restaurants in Fukuoka. I panicked and tried calling several places, but they were all fully booked. Luckily, I found a place that had availability near Akasaka Station, about a 5-minute walk away. It was the original Nagahamaya, with a long line outside. The entrance was covered in ivy, giving it a traditional feel. Inside, there were both a counter and tables, creating a nice atmosphere. The head chef looked like a literary figure who had changed his style. The only lunch option was a 13-piece, 7,000 yen course. The grilled throat of the fish was unique, lightly seared and topped with thinly sliced radish. The Kyushu throat of the fish seemed to have more fat. The stone bream had been aged for about a week, yet still retained a firm texture. It could probably be aged a bit longer. The mackerel had been marinated in garlic soy sauce. Surprisingly, the garlic flavor was mild and not overpowering. The horse mackerel was served with ginger, asatsuki, and vinegar. It was an unusual combination, but the vinegar helped reduce any fishy taste. The yellowtail had been pressed with kelp. In Kyushu, it is also called Hirasu. It is the largest species, growing over 2 meters in length. Compared to yellowtail, it had less fat and a firmer texture. The prawn was moist and fresh. Although slightly spread out, it was a beautifully shaped piece of sushi. The ark shell left a faint impression. The saury was served with shiso leaf and plum paste, providing a refreshing taste. The abalone was a rare type called Agemaki, similar to the Matsukasa shell. It is mainly imported from Korea as it is scarce in Japan. It was not tough and had no distinct flavor. The blowfish was served with grated daikon and asatsuki. It had a distinct Kyushu flavor and a firm texture. The salted sea bass was slightly seared. It was a bit early in the season, so it had less fat. The spear squid with red sea urchin from Karatsu was a great combination of textures. The Karatsu sea urchin was just starting to appear, so the grains were smaller but plentiful. The conger eel was lightly seared, maintaining its texture. The red miso soup with nameko mushrooms had a hint of sansho pepper. I had expected traditional sushi, but I was pleasantly surprised. The ingredients were not top-notch, but they were well-prepared. The sushi was simple, on the smaller side, and slightly firm. The vinegar flavor was subtle, making the portions seem smaller. The use of vinegar and the left-handed chef gave it a Kyushu touch. It was interesting to learn that both the head chef and the second chef were originally left-handed. However, the second chef had corrected it. Having different dominant hands made it easier to handle the central ingredients and work together. Surprisingly, the pickled ginger was mild in flavor. They do not accept credit cards, so be aware of that. Currently, photography is also not allowed.