The Japanese Technique for Harvesting Sea Salt by Hand

7,386,267

102,418 0

Published 2019-10-16

To Ryoichi Toya, salt is a treasure from the sea. He’s an Agehama-style salt maker in Suzu, Japan, and his facility is one of the last to harvest sea salt using this traditional technique that is unique to the Noto peninsula. Dating back centuries, the process begins with seawater being carried in buckets from the ocean to be scattered onto a large bed of raked sand. After it sets, the salt-coated sand is scraped off and shoveled into a tank, and the process continues from there. It’s hard, manual work. But to a master like Toya, the effort pays off in sea salt that is rich in minerals and mild in taste.

This Great Big Story was made possible by ANA.

Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at pitch [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com 📧

Get exclusive GBS items from our online store 🛒
👉 shop.greatbigstory.com/

SUBSCRIBE: buff.ly/41yqVHF
NOTIFICATIONS: Make sure you enable the 🔔 to get notified about our latest video publishes.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: patreon.com/GreatBigStory

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/greatbigstory
Check us out on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@greatbigstory
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatbigstory
Give us a shout on Twitter: twitter.com/greatbigstory
Sign up to our newsletter: greatbigstory.com/signup/

#RyoichiToya #Salt #Japan #GreatBigStory

All Comments (21)

@RedSnake714 4 years ago

I bought some of his salt as a gift this summer when I went on a road trip in Noto Peninsula. Such a down to earth guy! Support local businesses everyone!
@linkunliu2118 3 years ago

I feel like Japan has the perfect blend of tradition and technology, their dedication allows them to preserve the treasures from the past and expand their imagination to the future.
@ericglenn9984 3 years ago

Nobody mentioned how great this man's voice is to listen to. Old people are so valuable
@Ap-zp5oh 3 years ago

He’s using earths resources to not only make a living but to teach young people. Respect ✊
@kalebtlt1630 4 years ago

He said a lot more than that first subtitle. Also whomever put white subtitles in front of salt. You had one job.
@User-ck8pm 4 years ago

“A master will always find his path no matter his talents” - Yoirichi Tsukuni
@jadenkhor3523 3 years ago

There’s something very relaxing and calming about the entire process. Just watching it makes feel so at peace
@zachhoops 3 years ago

breh he must be strong af for doing that water run in the morning everyday for 23 years
@Milestonemonger 4 years ago

While in Japan, we were invited by a Japanese family to make misu from scratch. Holy cow, it was like doing hard labor for 6 hours. My back was killing me, my knees locked up and my arms almost fell off. I have a lot of respect for Japanese work ethic and a new appreciation for Japanese food.
@TheLimitedPixel 4 years ago

Normal woodcutter “chops tree” Japanese woodcutter “plants seed, takes care of it for 20 years, then chops tree.”
@akshay2194 3 years ago

Japanese Person - Talks for 2 hours Subtitles - "Hello"
@mariodeathtoallyamasaki7195 3 years ago

Came here to find out how japanese salt is made. Left with respect for this humble and hard working japanese man🙏🏼
@viktorbarkovski2226 4 years ago

I swear from katana swords to salt, everything the Japanese do is done with patience, determination, and frankly perfect at it's finest. What a wonderful people to learn from
@derpfacejr546 4 years ago

Who else got a great big story ad while watching this? Edit: Lol we got lots of peeps here
@the_quake 3 years ago

This man is truly a master of his trade. It’s admirable.
@jamirimaj6880 3 years ago

This kind of salt is the perfect seasoning for soup-based dishes yummmmm
@CRAETION_ 3 years ago

These videos are perfect length for sitting on the toilet
@mdctt9021 4 years ago

For everything that exists, japan has a way more complicated way for it.
@Fr_87 3 years ago

Someone get this man an Archimedes' screw.
@hctu1596 3 years ago

As nathaniel algrin said in 1850: “I have never seen a people so devoted and dedicated to their craft” (referring to the japanese)