Gastronomy Tour by Edomae Sushi NIKAKU

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Sushi has a history stretching back more than 1,200 years.
Edomae sushi, the style of sushi globally recognized today, was perfected nearly two centuries ago in 1829, during the heyday of samurai when Tokyo was known as Edo.
Edomae Sushi NIKAKU is a restaurant that has refined traditional techniques developed over the long course of Edomae sushi’s history, elevating it to new heights of culinary artistry. The restaurant has earned two Michelin stars, and enjoys international acclaim.

NIKAKU is proud to offer a gastronomy tour in Kitakyushu, offering participants opportunities to explore the rich regional climate and dynamic cuisine of one of the world’s top fishing locales. The tour features truly delectable sushi prepared by NIKAKU’s master chef using the freshest, highest-quality local seafood, served up along with insights about the history and culture of sushi directly from the chef himself.
This tour hosted by NIKAKU features a range of experiences that are sure to deepen your appreciation of sushi. We invite you to immerse yourself in this extraordinary journey.

10:00

Meet outside the ticket gate of JR Shinkansen Kokura Station

*There are multiple ticket gates at JR Kokura Station. Be sure to go outside the Shinkansen ticket gate.
･ Staff will be standing with a sign indicating identity.
･ Staff will greet and escort you to Edomae Sushi NIKAKU.
･ An orientation session will be held at the restaurant.

11:00-14:30

Kitakyushu City Central Wholesale Market

･ Tour the market, a thriving hub that underpins the bountiful fresh marine cuisine of Kitakyushu.
･ Discover why the seas in the region are such prime fishing grounds, and how the market efficiently delivers high-quality fish and seafood to consumers.
･ Stroll through scenery such as an old-fashioned shopping street, including Tanga Market, home to various restaurants and eateries where you can sample freshly caught fish from the market and enjoy local regional cuisine for lunch.
*The cost of lunch is not included in the tour.

15:00-16:30

Fishing

･ Observe the powerful ocean currents and tides that make Kitakyushu one of Japan’s premier fishing grounds.
･ Participate in fishing activities. Any fish caught will be taken directly to Edomae Sushi NIKAKU, where the chef will transform them into scrumptious dishes.
･ Enjoy scenic views of Kitakyushu’s tourist attractions from the sea while fishing.

17:00-20:00

Sushi Dinner at Edomae Sushi NIKAKU

･ Savor the dinner course that is the pride of Edomae Sushi NIKAKU.
･ Learn more about the history, culture, and craftsmanship of Edomae sushi as the chef shares his knowledge.
･ As a special feature unique to this tour, receive hands-on instruction in the art of sushi-making from a Michelin two-star chef, with the option to try making sushi yourself (available to interested participants).
*There is a separate charge for drinks during dinner

Bringing Japan’s Traditional Culture of Sushi to the World

Delicious sushi begins with procuring fresh and high-quality fish. This tour offers opportunities to truly appreciate and understand the exceptional seafood nurtured by Kitakyushu’s natural environment, history, and climate. Through this tour, we hope you will gain deep understanding and enjoyment of the remarkable stories behind each piece of sushi. We look forward to welcoming you on a journey into this distinctive cuisine’s ingredients, practices, history, and culture.

NIKAKU HP

PROFILE

Born in 1970 and raised in the household of a sushi restaurant proprietor, Chef Funahashi grew up amid the fragrance of vinegar that infuses sushi rice. He got his start as an apprentice at one of Tokyo’s most authentic sushi restaurants, where he was introduced to Edomae sushi and fascinated by how it differed from the sushi served at his family’s restaurant. This led him to dedicate himself to the mastery of the traditional craft. In 2002, he returned to Kitakyushu and opened Edomae Sushi NIKAKU. To further promote the tradition of Edomae sushi worldwide, he established NIKAKU Bangkok in Thailand in 2023.
Chef Funahashi has earned the accolades of two Michelin stars in the Michelin Fukuoka Special Edition in 2014 and 2019 and listings in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions of French restaurant guide Gault et Millau, which recognized him as “a pioneer of traditional Edomae sushi in one of Japan’s provincial regions.”

Traditional Japanese Cuisine with a Proud History of 200 Years

The original ancestor of sushi was a preserved fish dish brought to Japan from Southeast Asia over 1,200 years ago. The currently prevalent style, known as Edomae sushi, was established in 1829 when Tokyo, then called Edo, was a flourishing metropolis with over a million residents. During this era, the cuisine evolved among the general public as chefs pursued ever more sublime flavors. Edomae literally means “in front of Edo” (i.e. Tokyo Bay), and refers to the daily catch of fresh fish from the bay.
In those days before refrigeration technology, sushi chefs developed various methods of swiftly preparing fresh fish and seafood to maximize its flavor and umami. This led to the refinement of precise techniques that enhanced the rich flavors and textures of ingredients, establishing the style of Edomae sushi in which every piece is carefully crafted by hand.
Edomae sushi has become an integral part of Japanese culture through the skill and passion of artisans, and today it is loved and admired throughout the world.

Kitakyushu: A City of Spectacular Scenery and Exquisite Cuisine

Located in the northern part of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost major island, Kitakyushu is known as one of Japan’s most excellent fishing grounds, where people can enjoy fresh seafood to their heart’s content. The area is also home to many local dishes originating from the region.
Kitakyushu is also among Japan’s three cities newly selected for breathtaking night views. The city boasts attractions like the exotic architecture of Mojiko Retro, the Yahata Steel Works (a steel mill more than a century old that is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site), and the historic Kokura Castle, offering tastes of Japan’s unique nostalgic charm.

Please book your reservations through these websites.

MAP 001

RESTAURANT

Edomae Sushi NIKAKU

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MAP 002

RESTAURANT

Edomae Sushi NIKAKU Bashaku

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MAP 003

HOTEL

JR Kyushu Station Hotel Kokura

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MAP 004

CULTURAL ASSETS

Kokura Castle

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MAP 005

NIGHT VIEW SPOT

Mt. Sarakura

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MAP 006

CULTURAL ASSETS

Mojiko Retro

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MAP 001

RESTAURANT

Edomae Sushi NIKAKU
MAP 002

RESTAURANT

Edomae Sushi NIKAKU Bashaku
MAP 003

HOTEL

JR Kyushu Station Hotel Kokura
MAP 004

CULTURAL ASSETS

Kokura Castle
MAP 005

NIGHT VIEW SPOT

Mt. Sarakura
MAP 006

CULTURAL ASSETS

Mojiko Retro

If you wish to cancel or change your reservation for personal reasons, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellation fees will be charged as follows:
• Cancellation two days before the tour: 50% of the tour fee
• Cancellation on the day before or the day of the tour: 100% of the tour fee

The maximum number of participants for this tour is six.
There is no minimum number of participants, so the tour will proceed even with a reservation for one person.
Children aged 10 and older can participate in the tour.
Please note that Edomae Sushi NIKAKU does not offer a children’s menu.

Lunch is not included in this tour.
We will guide you through old-fashioned shopping districts, including Tanga Market with a wide range of restaurants, where you can enjoy a lunch of your choice.

Both the market and the boat deck can be very slippery, so please wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. Also, it can be particularly cold at sea, so be sure to prepare warm clothing.

The fishing portion of the tour will only take place in good weather. We will decide whether to conduct it, and will notify you by email by the day before the event. If fishing is canceled due to poor weather, we will refund 10,000 yen of the tour cost.
The refund will be paid in cash at the NIKAKU restaurant.

Please be aware that during the tour, staff may take photographs or videos for publicity purposes or respond to media requests for interviews.

Please contact us as early as possible if you are running late. If you are more than 30 minutes later than the designated meeting time without prior notice, we will consider it a cancellation.

For inquiries related to the tour, please contact us via the link below.