Something not seen nowadays

Something like this used to be a kitchen making a fire in the white area and cooking above it. Obviously nowadays, gas cooking stoves or induction cooking are used instead.
Also this can be a stove to warm up the room in the winter time. People can gather around and enjoy chatting surrounding the fire.
It's quite impressive that people in the past managed to create a fire in this way to reduce the risk of putting the house (made by wood) on fire.

Enjoyed my Saturday evening having some drinks in a traditional taste Japanese restaurant. Nice pre-birthday celebration.