Tetsuhiko Namba was born in Japanese controlled China ( Manshu) on the 10th April 1945.
Growing up in Okayama, a small village in the southern part of the mainland (Honshyu) of Japan enabled Tetsuhiko or 'Tets' as he is communally referred to, to develop a passion for food and a respect for natures produce. Being close to the ocean, fresh seafood was a part of daily life.
He lived in Tokyo for the latter half of his schooling life before the adventure of travel took him away from Japan for the next 15 years. This gave Tets the opportunity to experience new food cultures and broaden his cooking and food knowledge. Europe, Africa, Australia and the United States have all influenced Tetsu.
His Teppanyaki training was completed at the renowned Suntory restaurant in Tokyo in 1984. When given the chance he decided to return to Australia on a permanent basis.
A break from cooking enabled Tetsu to try his hand at wheat and cattle farming whilst raising his young family in Gunnedah in north west New South Wales. Whilst the farm was successful, the dream of opening his own restaurant was never far from his mind.
This dream was realised in October 2004 with the opening of Nagisa (Japanese for 'Ebbing of the Tide') in the Boardwalk precinct of Newcastle. It is here today that you will find Tets sharing his experience and skills with diners at Nagisa's focal teppanyaki bar.