Sasebo City, which was the base of the Japanese Navy, brought various American cultures, including fashion, food, and music, including the Sasebo Burger, which is now a soul food beloved by locals.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of the Sasebo Burger.

Characteristics of the Sasebo Burger

Sasebo burgers are a general term for hamburgers made in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture. There is no set style, such as ingredients or sauce. They are made to order at restaurants in Sasebo City, so you can enjoy the delicious taste of freshly made hamburgers.

The size of the Sasebo Burger is overwhelming. The size of the bun varies depending on the store, but it is American size, about 10 to 15 cm in diameter. Since they are handmade one by one, the size varies.

The ingredients are varied, including bacon, chicken steak, and omelettes. The vegetables used, such as lettuce, tomato, and avocado, are all fresh. The original sauces at each store are also irresistible. The bun, patty, vegetables, and sauce all come together, filling your mouth with a juicy flavor.

How to eat a Sasebo Burger

The Sasebo Burger is so big that you'll have to crush it a little from the outside of the bag before eating it. When you eat it, don't be shy, we recommend opening your mouth wide and taking a bite, and eating it wildly.

Don't worry about getting sauce around your mouth. Everyone will be the same, so just enjoy it. It's great for a snack, but it's also satisfying for lunch or dinner. It's filling, so it'll fill you up.

The History of the Sasebo Burger

The Sasebo Burger was created around 1950. At the time, Japan was under the occupation of the US military, and Sasebo was a US Navy base where many American soldiers were staying. The recipe for the hamburger was taught to us by one of the US Navy personnel.

Initially, a shop opened near the base and sold it to Americans. Later, it was adapted to the Sasebo style and became a local soul food known as the Sasebo burger. It is not known which shop first made handmade hamburgers in Sasebo.

In Sasebo City, which is said to be the birthplace of the hamburger, various restaurants have opened and are offering their own unique versions of the hamburger. It has been passed down as local soul food and is loved by many people.

Definition of Sasebo Burger

The "Sasebo Burger Certification System" was established in January 2007. The Sasebo City Health and Welfare Department and travel industry officials review restaurants based on criteria such as "originality/initiative," "reliability," "local production for local consumption," and "handmade," and only restaurants within Sasebo that pass the screening become "Sasebo Burger Certified Restaurants."

Certified stores have a signboard with the "Sasebo Burger Boy" character in front of them. Sasebo Burger Boy is a mascot character designed by Takashi Yanase, who is well known for Anpanman.

In 2003, Sasebo City asked Takashi Yanase to use the Hamburger Kid from Anpanman as their image character. Yanase responded by saying, "In that case, we need a new character," and so Sasebo Burger Boy, a hamburger man wearing a sailor suit, was born.

In June 2006, a girl character called "Sasebo no Boko-chan" was created, designed by Takashi Yanase. She is said to be the girlfriend of Sasebo Burger Boy.

If you come to Sasebo, head to the otherworldly Huis Ten Bosch

Sasebo City is known for "Huis Ten Bosch." The charm of Huis Ten Bosch is that you can enjoy seasonal flowers and events in an authentic European townscape.

This "town of flowers" is soothing, as you can experience the four seasons at its various flower festivals, including the "One Million Tulip Festival," where Japan's largest variety of tulips blooms, and the "Rose Festival," where the city is enveloped in one of Asia's largest rose blooms. The city is filled with gorgeous parades and shows.

At Huis Ten Bosch, live music and shows are held day and night in various locations, including theaters and outdoor stages. There are also many attractions, so both children and adults are sure to have fun and forget about time.

Huis Ten Bosch is home to the world's largest "Sky Merry-Go-Round." At 15 meters high, Japan's first three-story merry-go-round, you can enjoy a stroll through the air from any floor you like on a beautiful Italian-made carriage or gondola. It's an attraction that you'll want to ride again and again, changing floors and times, while also enjoying the exotic scenery of European cityscapes and canals.

At night, Huis Ten Bosch is lit up and transformed into a "Kingdom of Light." The illuminations and light displays that can only be enjoyed in each season of the year are also worth seeing.

At Huis Ten Bosch, you can enjoy Nagasaki-style gourmet food such as Sasebo burgers and Turkish rice. If you visit Sasebo City, be sure to experience the extraordinary world at Huis Ten Bosch.

How to get to Sasebo City

First, let's look at how to get to Nagasaki Prefecture. There are various ways to get there, such as by plane or JR, but if you go by plane you'll arrive in Nagasaki in no time.

It takes about two hours from Haneda Airport, and about an hour and a half from Itami Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, and Naha Airport. You can get a cheap flight by taking advantage of early bird and round-trip discounts.

It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from Nagasaki Airport to Sasebo Station. It takes about 50 minutes by high-speed boat from Nagasaki Airport to Huis Ten Bosch. We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Sasebo City.

Location of Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture

summary

Sasebo burgers have different ingredients and flavors depending on the shop, so we recommend trying a few different ones. It's an American size, so it's great to share with family and friends.

If you visit Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture, be sure to try the Sasebo Burger.

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