Nagasaki Culinary Tour
Joined 2024
There's no better way to experience a different culture than by exploring its food scene.
Nagasaki's food culture is unique in Japan with centuries of foreign influences that inspired its famous local fusion kitchen.
This tour combines tastings of the best Nagasaki delicacies and drinks with visits to interesting sites related to Nagasaki's food culture and its history, all customized to your taste, appetite and style.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Somewhere in the center of Nagasaki
- The most convenient place for you. Nagasaki Cruise Port, Nagasaki Station, the hotel you are staying at...
In this tour, the tasting of local delicacies is central.
Typically we will walk around town from one food or drink experience to the next and on our way we will see some city highlights, hidden gems, a market, the river, a temple, old sweets shops and things like that. I will tell stories about how the Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese came to Nagasaki and how they influenced Nagasaki's culinary tastes.
Example tour
Dejima
The Dutch trade post, through which many exotic food items were introduced into Japanese culture.
China Town
The Chinese merchants docking in Nagasaki brought with them a wealth of culinary delicacies as well. Influencing Nagasaki's unique food culture.
Maruyama town
The former courtesan quarters breathes history in every corner.
It is home to the famous 400 year old Castella cake shop Fukusaya and one of the most interesting restaurants in Japan: Kagetsu, where historical intrigue, Japanese culture and fusion cuisine come together. (Having lunch in this restaurant is not part of this tour but it can be arranged in certain cases and will typically cost about 200 USD pp.)
restaurant of choice
To get the best examples of Nagasaki's local delicacies we will visit 1 or 2 restaurants (depending on the time of day).
Hamanomachi
The oldest shopping district in Nagasaki is centered around a long arcade and houses many interesting shops and restaurants. Typically we will visit a market as well.
Spectacle Bridge and Nakagawa riverside
A nice stroll along the riverside with many historic bridges.
Matcha tea in Koufukuji Temple
One of the most beautiful temples in Nagasaki.
It is possible to enjoy matcha tea and a sweet in a serene temple room.
(alternatively) a sake tasting in a microbrewery
Nagasaki's finest sake brewery offers tastings of different kinds of unfiltered sake and amazake. A real treat for sake lovers
End of the tour
At your preferred location.
Ending Point
Anywhere in the center where you like to be dropped off
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
A typical budget for eating and drinking is about 7000 yen pp (about 45-50 USD) This also includes something to eat and drink for the appreciating guide.
Of course, it can be more if you have a great appetite or you like to have an exclusive premium culinary experience.
All costs for your personal experience will be communicated beforehand.
In principle we'll go around on foot but if you prefer, public transportation can be taken. (8-12 USD per taxi ride)
Tour Important Information
Mostly, reservations need to be made in advance. Before the tour it is important that we discuss the various options that fit your appetite, taste and budget as well as any food restrictions.
Between 14:00 and 17:00 the options for savory dishes are very limited in Nagasaki.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Armando V.
Hi there! I’m Armand. Living in Nagasaki since 2016. I am living a most relaxing life on my permaculture homestead in the hills of Nagasaki, where you get the best views in Japan. I love my town. As a dancer and actor I love telling stories too. And there are so many great stories to share about all the interesting people that once dwelled in this adventurous town full of historical intrigues.
Want to experience the rich Nagasaki culture? Eat the freshest fish of Japan? Make the most beautiful photos of hidden treasures and landscapes? Come and explore the town together with me.
I’ve made it my mission to get to know everything there is to know about this place.
Reviews
Alfonso S.
“Excellent guide and knowledgeable ”
Our day tour with Armando was a magnificent experience during our stay in Nagasaki. His English was a plus when comparing with previous Japanese local guides. He was so nice and friendly that made our journey unforgettable. Thanks Armando.
Armando V.
Thank you dear Alfonso! My day with you guys was a magnificent experience as well. Thanks to you I've had the best rainy day of my guiding career :-) I wish you many great travels in the years to come. (And please come again!)
Christopher M.
“Fantastic tour around Nagasaki”
The tour included highlights of outside the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument, St Philip Nishizaka Catholic Church, Fukusaiji Temple, Tateyama Air-raid Shelter, Suwa Shrine (which has a amazing line of Torii gates!), Nagasaki Park, Megane Bridge, a delicious curry lunch at 札幌スープカレー namiya, Kazagashira Park, Sofuku-ji Temple, Umezono Migawari Tenmangu (where there's a lion with sweets in it's mouth), Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown and finally Site of the Former Dutch Trading Post on Dejima via the oldest iron bridge in Nagasaki. We also stopped at Fukusaya to buy freshly baked castella, Iwasaki Honpo Nishi-Hamamachi for the melt-in-the-mouth pork bun and パフェとグラタン専門店 ハワイ for matcha parfait. Armando was an excellent tour guide and I highly recommend him if you need one during a visit. He is friendly, knowledgeable and a great guide!
Armando V.
Wow Chris, Thank you for such an extended review. It was a great day together with you! I wish you all the best with your new job. Happy travels! Armando
David L.
“Very Good Guide in Armando”
We enjoyed the service of Armando very much. Before the day of our tour, he made sure that he will pick us up from the correct port. He made sure that the car he rented was big enough to accommodate all of us in our group. He is very knowledgeable about Hirado Island where he showed us around. He also took us to a seafood restaurant with fresh and delicious seafood but not very expensive. We love our trip to Sasebo.
Armando V.
Thank you very much David! I appreciated your company and hope you will have many more wonderful travels in the future.
$241/ per group
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