William I first came to Japan by ship (!!) - from Taiwan via Okinawa to Osaka. Without a word of Japanese and no knowledge of the culture, I spent a lonely week in Naha. Yet shop after shop offered what I termed “banana fish” - see, they were shaped like bananas but smelled like fish. Turns out they were katsuobushi 鰹節 - smoked bonito Later, I spent time in Kagoshima and visited facilities where they are made. (if you visit the area, you’ll see pile upon pile of wood for smoking). It is a lengthy process. But if you are a katusobushi fan (which I have become), Kagoshima is your Jerusalem. PM us for info - touring a factory is a wonderful experience. Katsuobushi flakes are available pretty much anywhere. They are good on anything - heck, put them on your toast! - and are healthy and nutritious. (If you’re a hardcore traditionalist, you buy a cutting board box specifically designed to shave katsuobushi.)