Flounder

Hirado is famous for its flounder

From mid-January to the end of March, Hirado is home to one of the most prominent flounder fishing industries in all of Japan. But most surprising of all? Its sheer size! Hirado flounder will typically weigh over one kilogram, but it is not uncommon to see enormous flounder known as zabuton weighing in at over five kilos.

flounder

Seafood

Surrounded by the wide open sea, in Hirado you've simply got to try the seafood

Home to several hundred varieties of seafood, in Hirado you'll find something different in season all year long.
Fan lobster, live squid, flying fish, local octopus, abalone, Japanese spiny lobster, horse mackerel, chicken grunt, yellowtail, mackerel, largescale blackfish, and tuna are just a few of the many kinds of seafood you can enjoy as part of a variety of cuisines including seafood rice bowls, set meals, and more!

seafood

Hirado Beef

Nagasaki wagyu beef, first place winner of Japan's "Wagyu Olympics"

Particularly highly acclaimed among Nagasaki beef is locally-raised Hirado beef.
Raised on mineral-rich pastures in the sea breeze, this beautifully marbled beef is tender and has a light, not too overpowering flavor that you simply must try for yourself.

hiradogyu

Champon

Nothing says Nagasaki like champon noodles

Champon noodles first came to Hirado from Nagasaki at the beginning of the Showa era as a cheap, popular food of the masses. But in addition to being reasonably priced, the dish is also known for being very filling and nutritionally complete as well. So if you will be enjoying a nice seafood dinner at your hotel in the evening, why not stop by for some champon for lunch?

champon

Hirado Sweets

Known as the starting point of the so-called "Sugar Road", Hirado served as the
port of entry for the country's early sugar imports.

During the Edo period, Hirado was already home to over 30 different sweets shops and even boasts what is known as the "Encyclopedia of 100 Sweets", the oldest recipe book of sweets written by the city's feudal lords. To this day Hirado remains home to a great number of sweets shops offering a variety of delicious local treats.

sweets