Miyazaki City Beats Favorites Utsunomiya and Hamamatsu for First Time “Gyōza” Lead

Within a few years of moving from Tokyo, Tsuneyoshi Hiroyuki became a self-christened Miyazaki gyōza evangelist under the name Miyazaki Gyōza Prince. He also promotes the “snack” bars of Nishitachi, as Miyazaki’s entertainment district is known. (© Tamura Masashi)

Miyazaki Prefecture’s gyōza offerings are full of diverse flavor. From the top left, clockwise, are dumplings from Kurobee (Miyazaki), Ryō Garden (Miyazaki), Juju (Takanabe), and Gyōza no Sato (Hyūga). (© Tsuneyoshi Hiroyuki)

In addition to six shops in Miyazaki Prefecture, Gyōza no Maruoka has branches in Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Hyōgo, and Osaka. In Miyazaki, the lines last until the shops sell out. (© Tsuneyoshi Hiroyuki)

2018’s Miyazaki Street Gyōza Festival. The event featured all-you-can-cook and eat gyōza for thirty minutes with one drink for ¥1,500. (© Tsuneyoshi Hiroyuki)

Watanabe Aika is chair of the Miyazaki Gyōza Council, a group full of unique characters. According to the prince, “Watanabe is what keeps the council together.” (Courtesy of Watanabe Aika)