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Japan Today
a day ago
- Japan Today
5 famous foods you'll find in Nagasaki
By Kerri King As a port city with centuries of overseas influence, Nagasaki offers one of Japan's most diverse regional cuisines. From the hearty noodle bowls brought by Chinese immigrants to European-inspired cakes and American-style burgers, every dish reflects the city's cultural influences. Here are five famous foods in Nagasaki. 1. Champon Image: PIXTA/sasazawa This hearty noodle soup is packed with pork, seafood and vegetables. Champon originated in Nagasaki's Chinese quarter in the late 19th century as an affordable, nutritious meal for Chinese students studying and working in Japan. The noodles are cooked directly in a rich pork-and-chicken broth, giving the dish a comforting, savory depth. It's warm, filling and affordable. This local favorite is a staple at casual eateries and long-established Chinese restaurants. Every shop has its own take, but the deliciousness of Champon lies in its rich broth and generous toppings. For an authentic experience, try it at Shikairo, the restaurant where it was first invented. 2. Sara Udon Image: PIXTA/Ayleeds Despite the name, sara udon (plate udon) doesn't use udon noodles. Instead, it typically features either thin, crispy-fried noodles that shatter with each bite or thicker, softer ones similar to champon noodles. These are topped with a colorful stir-fry of pork, shrimp, squid, cabbage, bean sprouts and other seasonal vegetables, all coated in a glossy, umami-rich sauce made with soy and chicken stock. Originating from Nagasaki's Chinese culinary heritage, it's a variation of champon, offering the same savory goodness but with more texture. It's a favorite among locals and a must-try for anyone who enjoys the contrast between crunchy noodles and silky toppings. Many restaurants in Nagasaki let you choose your noodle style, so come hungry and curious. 3. Castella Introduced by Portuguese traders in the 16th century, castella is a moist, honey-flavored sponge cake that's become a signature sweet of Nagasaki. Made with just sugar, flour, eggs and starch syrup, it's deceptively simple but incredibly satisfying. You'll find many varieties of Castella sold in souvenir shops throughout the city. Occasionally, you might find Nagasaki Castella sold at popular supermarkets, like Aeon, around Japan. 4. Sasebo Burger Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Japan Today
04-07-2025
- Japan Today
5 famous foods you'll find in Kagawa
By Kerri King Kagawa Prefecture might be Japan's smallest by area, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to food. Nicknamed 'Udon Prefecture' (yes, officially), Kagawa has carved out a reputation for chewy noodles, island-grown olives and one very unexpected mochi-based soup. From slurpable staples to savory snacks and sweet-salty curveballs, here are five famous foods you need to try when visiting Shikoku's Kagawa. 1. Sanuki Udon Image: PIXTA/ shige hattori Welcome to the Udon Kingdom. This one's a no-brainer. Kagawa's Sanuki udon is legendary. Thick, bouncy noodles served hot or cold, usually in a light dashi broth or with dipping sauce. It's so central to the region's identity that there's an official udon taxi service that'll take you udon-hopping across the prefecture and a Udon Prefecture Passport for collecting stamps. What sets Sanuki udon apart is the firmness of the noodle. It's got that koshi (chewy bite) that noodle-lovers crave. Popular toppings include raw egg, grated daikon and crispy tempura, but purists may tell you to keep it simple with just a splash of soy and scallions. 2. Honetsukidori (Bone-in Chicken) Image: PIXTA/ od If Udon is Kagawa's king, honetsukidori is the prince. Originating in Marugame City, this dish features a whole chicken leg roasted to juicy, peppery perfection, served bone-in and ready to tear into caveman-style. There are two styles: Wakadori (young chicken, tender and juicy) and Oyadori (older and chewier meat but flavor-packed). Both are roasted with garlic, black pepper and a crispy skin finish that makes them irresistible. Many eateries around Kagawa serve honetsukidori, you can't miss it! 3. Shoyu Mame (Soy Sauce Beans) Image: PIXTA/ wifineko Shoyu mame might not look flashy, but don't underestimate these soy-simmered broad beans. They're roasted and soaked in a sweet soy sauce marinade until they hit that perfect sweet-salty balance. They are likened to the Japanese version of candied nuts. Click here to sign more. External Link © GaijinPot
Japan Today
01-07-2025
- Japan Today
5 famous foods you'll find in Miyazaki
By Kerri King Down in the sunny southeast corner of Kyushu, Miyazaki Prefecture is best known for sunny skies, pristine beaches and some seriously flavorful food. With rich farmland, top-tier livestock and tropical fruit production, the region is a powerhouse of both comfort dishes and luxury delicacies. From juicy wagyu to sweet-tart mangoes, here are five famous foods in Miyazaki. 1. Miyazaki Beef (Wagyu) Rich, buttery and unforgettable beef Image: PIXTA/ june Miyazaki Beef consistently ranks among the top wagyu brands in Japan, rivaling even Kobe and Matsusaka in marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cattle are raised with meticulous care in the Miyazaki countryside, resulting in rich, buttery and unforgettable beef. Whether served as a sizzling steak, seared yakiniku or delicate shabu-shabu slices, this is luxury you can taste. 2. Chicken Nanban A bold and addictive combination Image: PIXTA/ koalakko Fried chicken. Vinegar. Tartar sauce. Name a more iconic trio. This retro-style dish started in a Miyazaki restaurant in 1956 and quickly became a nationwide classic. Chicken nanban features crispy, deep-fried chicken soaked in a sweet vinegar marinade, topped with a generous heap of creamy tartar sauce. It's a bold, addictive combination that somehow balances crunchy, tangy and rich all at once. 3. Hiyajiru (Cold Soup Over Rice) It's a refreshing and nourishing dish. Image: PIXTA/ ささざわ A local favorite during Miyazaki's summers, hiyajiru is a chilled miso-based soup poured over rice, often with cucumber, grilled fish, sesame and shiso. It's a refreshing and nourishing dish. You'll find this local favourite across Miyazaki's restaurants, family kitchens and in ryokan (traditional Japanese inns). Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Japan Today
26-06-2025
- Japan Today
5 famous foods you'll find in Fukuoka
By Kerri King When it comes to regional food destinations in Japan, Fukuoka stands tall with a bowl of ramen in hand. As the gateway to Kyushu, this lively prefecture is a magnet for hungry travelers seeking comfort dishes that warm you from the inside out. From sizzling skewers to creamy pork bone broth, here are five famous foods you'll want to try the minute you land in Fukuoka. 1. Hakata Ramen You can choose your noodle firmness and toppings. Image: PIXTA/Nishihama Hakata ramen is Fukuoka's most iconic dish and one of the most influential ramen styles in Japan. Its signature pork bone (tonkotsu) broth is simmered for hours to produce a creamy, deeply savory base. Paired with ultra-thin, straight noodles and toppings like chashu (braised pork belly), kikurage mushrooms, green onions and pickled ginger, it's the ultimate comfort food. Most shops in Fukuoka will let you customize your ramen. You can choose your noodle firmness and toppings and many offer kaedama (noodle refills) for when you're not quite done yet. 2. Mentaiko (Spicy Cod Roe) A Fukuoka staple in the postwar era Image: PIXTA/ sky&sun Inspired by Korean pickled roe, mentaiko became a Fukuoka staple in the postwar era and has since gone national. Made by marinating pollock or cod roe in chili, sake and other spices, it's served as a side dish, stuffed into onigiri, or mixed into creamy pastas. It may not be everyone's taste, but it is surely something to try when in Fukuoka. For a true taste of the city's obsession, head to Ganso Hakata Mentaiju, a restaurant that builds its entire menu around spicy cod roe. It's so famous that you can even buy mentaiko-themed souvenirs in Fukuoka. 3. Motsunabe (Offal Hotpot) It's warming, rich and collagen-packed. Image: PIXTA/ チリーズ Motsunabe is a local hotpot made with beef or pork intestines (motsu), simmered in a garlicky broth with cabbage, leeks, chili and tofu. It's warming, rich and collagen-packed, making it a go-to dish during the colder months (though you'll see locals slurping it year-round). The broth varies by restaurant as some use soy sauce and others miso, but all variations of Motsunabe offer that same deep, savory satisfaction. Finish your meal the Fukuoka way: by adding champon noodles or rice to soak up the last of that umami-rich soup. 4. Goboten Udon Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Japan Today
23-06-2025
- Japan Today
See the beauty and skill of bonsai at the Shunkaen Bonsai Museum
By Abhijit Sen The Shunkaen Bonsai Museum in Edogawa Ward Tokyo was founded by bonsai master Kunio Kobayashi in 2002. This museum is a must for bonsai fans and travelers to visit. It showcases the beauty and skill of bonsai, highlighting its importance in Japanese tradition. Visitors can wander through the serene gardens, which change with the seasons. Image: PIXTA/ i-flower When visitors arrive, they see a traditional entrance. Inside, a calm courtyard holds a special 1,000-year-old Japanese black pine tree at its center. Around this ancient tree, the museum showcases over 1,000 bonsai trees, including maples, azaleas and evergreens. Each tree reflects years of careful work, pruning, and artistic design, highlighting the skill and dedication of bonsai artists. Visitors can wander through the serene gardens, which change with the seasons. In the winter, leafless trees create striking silhouettes against the sky. Spring brings vibrant blossoms, while summer showcases lush greenery. During autumn, trees display brilliant hues of orange and red, offering a picturesque backdrop for photographs. The Master and The Art Kunio Kobayashi, the museum's founder, has dedicated his life to promoting the art of bonsai. He has won the Prime Minister's Award four times, a testament to his expertise and influence in the field. Kobayashi has also trained over 140 students, spreading his love for bonsai around the world. In the traditional home, there are several beautifully arranged tokonoma (alcoves). Each features a stunning bonsai next to calligraphy scrolls, seasonal flowers, and antique pots. Each display reflects the Wabi-sabi aesthetic, emphasizing 'beauty in imperfection.' Upstairs, rooms are filled with antique Chinese pots, classic books on bonsai care, and old wooden display tables, offering visitors insight into the historical context of this art form. Bonsai Workshops and Other Experiences Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
