Easy Access from Fukuoka! Five Popular Souvenirs to Buy in Nagasaki, Kyushu

1. Castella

Castella is the standard of standards of Nagasaki souvenirs. It is said to have come to Japan from Portugal approximately 400 years ago, and is a sweet that represents Nagasaki\'s history as the gateway to Japan. It is a type of sponge cake made with eggs, flour, sugar, and Mizuame syrup. It has a moist texture and a simple sweetness that is rich but not cloying.
It is distinguished by brown granulated sugar at the bottom. This is sugar that is added to the batter to make it moist, and melts out during the baking process. The brown sugar adds an accent to the texture of the cake.

Sample prices: One box (e.g. 5 - 10 pieces) Approx. 500 - 1,000 JPY, etc.

2. Karasumi

Karasumi is a food product made by salting mullet roe and drying it. The production method came from China at the beginning of the 18th century, and the name is said to derive from its shape, which looks like blocks of sumi ink from the Tang Dynasty ("kara" is another way of pronouncing the kanji character for Tang).
Its chewy texture and distinctive salty taste makes it perfect to have with Japanese sake. It can also be enjoyed as a snack with other drinks, and cooked in pasta.
It is relatively expensive due to limited supply, but is an item anyone interested in delicacies should try.

Sample prices: For about 100g, a few thousand yen to around 30,000 JPY.

3. Kakuni Manju

Next is the Kakuni Manju (pork belly bun), which is extremely popular for the texture that seems to melt in the mouth.
It has taken "butano kakuni" (braised pork), which is a main dish in the specialty Nagasaki cuisine "shippoku ryori" (banquet dinners with food served on large plates and distributed to small plates), and made it handier to eat. Pork ribs are patiently simmered in sugar and soy sauce and served sandwiched in fluffy manju buns. It is available for take out to be eaten on the street.

Sample prices: E.g. about 300 JPY - 400 JPY each

4. Kankoro Mochi

Kankoro Mochi is a regional sweet from Nagasaki Prefecture, particularly in the Goto Islands. Sweet potatoes that have been cut and dried in the winter are steamed together with mochi rice. It is usually eaten sliced and lightly grilled and is distinguished by a gentle, simple flavor.

Sample prices: About 300 JPY - 600 JPY for about 200g - 300g, etc.

5. Mooncakes

Mooncakes, which we introduce last, are a sweet that came from China around the beginning of the 17th century. Pastries made by adding sugar and other ingredients to flour are filled with fillings of anko sweet bean paste, nuts, dried fruit in honey, etc. and baked in a circular shape. It is a popular sweet that is substantial and filling.

Sample prices: About 100 JPY - 500 JPY each, etc.

We picked up a variety of items from sweets to snacks to have with drinks. All of them can be purchased at Amu Plaza Nagasaki, which is connected to JR Nagasaki Station, Nagasaki-ken Bussankan across the street, and other places.