Tourists are returning to a market in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, as a wholesaler started selling sushi again after more than two months.
One of the 23 wholesalers in Karato Market in the city of Shimonoseki reopened on Friday after the state of emergency was lifted for the prefecture.
Wholesalers at the market sell sushi and seafood every weekend and holidays, and the place is a popular tourist destination. But they closed their doors in March at the city’s request amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Customers at the shop are asked to maintain social distance while waiting in line. Previously, shoppers would pick their favorite sushi by themselves, but now staff members take orders and pack sushi for customers.
The president of the wholesaler, Sugiyama Masahide, said, “I had feared that people would stay away, but it’s a relief to have many customers again.”
He noted the major impact on his business while the shop was closed during the weeklong holiday in early May. “We will have to work extra hard to make up for it,” Sugiyama said.
Other stores in the market are also expected to reopen sometime in the future.
