In an area of northeastern Japan decimated by the March 2011 earthquake and resulting tsunami, lies the fishing city of Kesennuma.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Miyagi Prefecture city today to see for themselves how the fishing industry is recovering following the terrible events of three years ago.

Stopping by a fish market, they spoke with locals and watched a catch of bonito being brought into port. Bonito are related to tuna and are a key ingredient in Japanese cuisine, often used in soup.

Kesennuma has had the nation’s largest bonito catch for 17 years running, until its fishing port was irreparably damaged and submerged after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.

It took a full three months before fishermen could resume fishing. Today the bonito catch has returned to 60 percent of pre-disaster levels.

The emperor and empress are currently in the midst of a three-day tour of northeastern Japan.