Eel is delicious and good for the body, and it's a waste to just eat it on the Saturday of the Ox or as a measure against summer fatigue. There are famous eel restaurants all over the country, and you can find some delicious eel dishes. In addition to dishes such as kabayaki and hitsumabushi, we will introduce trivia about eel and how to enjoy it.
When you hear about eel dishes, the first thing that comes to mind is ``kabayaki.'' Shirayaki is grilled directly without adding any seasonings or sauces, and is further grilled with a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The difference is that in the Kanto region, Shirayaki is steamed and then kabayaki, while in the Kansai region, it is not steamed but kabayaki.
Hitsumabushi is a dish of chopped eel kabayaki placed on top of rice. It is known as a Nagoya specialty. First, taste it as is, then add condiments such as green onions and wasabi. At the end, you can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as adding the soup stock that comes with it and making it ochazuke style.
Shirayaki, which is grilled eel without sauce, is characterized by its light taste and texture. You can enjoy the original flavor and aroma of eel better than kabayaki. We recommend eating it simply with salt, soy sauce, wasabi, yuzu pepper, etc.
A vinegared dish made with finely cut grilled eel and thinly sliced cucumber. The richness of the eel and the sourness of the vinegar are a perfect balance, making it easy to eat. At eel specialty restaurants, it is a standard menu item along with ``Umaki,'' an omelette stuffed with eel, and is also a popular dish as an accompaniment to alcohol.
Eel is often thought to be in season in summer because of the ``Doyou no Ushi no Hi'' (Doyou no Ushi no Hi). Delicious farmed eel can be eaten all year round, but wild eel is in season from autumn to winter, when eel accumulates fat in preparation for hibernation.
There are famous eel producing areas all over Japan, and there are many famous restaurants that serve delicious eel dishes. Particularly famous areas include Shizuoka Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Kochi Prefecture.
Japanese pepper is often eaten with kabayaki, and it is said that not only does the refreshing spiciness bring out the deliciousness of the eel, but also that the antibacterial properties of Japanese pepper are good for preventing food poisoning.
When you hear about eel dishes, the first thing that comes to mind is ``kabayaki.'' Shirayaki is grilled directly without adding any seasonings or sauces, and is further grilled with a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The difference is that in the Kanto region, Shirayaki is steamed and then kabayaki, while in the Kansai region, it is not steamed but kabayaki.
Hitsumabushi is a dish of chopped eel kabayaki placed on top of rice. It is known as a Nagoya specialty. First, taste it as is, then add condiments such as green onions and wasabi. At the end, you can enjoy it in a variety of ways, such as adding the soup stock that comes with it and making it ochazuke style.
Shirayaki, which is grilled eel without sauce, is characterized by its light taste and texture. You can enjoy the original flavor and aroma of eel better than kabayaki. We recommend eating it simply with salt, soy sauce, wasabi, yuzu pepper, etc.
A vinegared dish made with finely cut grilled eel and thinly sliced cucumber. The richness of the eel and the sourness of the vinegar are a perfect balance, making it easy to eat. At eel specialty restaurants, it is a standard menu item along with ``Umaki,'' an omelette stuffed with eel, and is also a popular dish as an accompaniment to alcohol.
Eel is often thought to be in season in summer because of the ``Doyou no Ushi no Hi'' (Doyou no Ushi no Hi). Delicious farmed eel can be eaten all year round, but wild eel is in season from autumn to winter, when eel accumulates fat in preparation for hibernation.
There are famous eel producing areas all over Japan, and there are many famous restaurants that serve delicious eel dishes. Particularly famous areas include Shizuoka Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Kochi Prefecture.
Japanese pepper is often eaten with kabayaki, and it is said that not only does the refreshing spiciness bring out the deliciousness of the eel, but also that the antibacterial properties of Japanese pepper are good for preventing food poisoning.
As the word ``eel streamer'' suggests, eel dishes have long been popular in Japan as an auspicious delicacy, and are the perfect food to decorate important occasions, hospitality, and important anniversaries. In addition to areas famous for producing eel, there are long-established and famous eel restaurants in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, which have been chosen for entertaining and anniversaries. It is rare to find a restaurant that sells rare wild eel, making it even more special.
Kyoto
Mastering the Art of Eel — A Tradition Passed Down with Pride
Located just a 1-minute walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, this authentic charcoal-grilled eel restaurant offers a truly memorable dining experience. Fresh eel is prepared each morning and grilled slowly over binchotan charcoal using a traditional method—high heat from a distance—to achieve a unique texture: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Paired with the restaurant’s secret sauce, it delivers a flavor that stands out. The eel is served over “Mizukagami rice,” a premium variety of Omi rice selected for its soft texture and subtle sweetness, perfectly complementing the dish.Menu highlights include “Sumibiyaki Shirakaba Jyu” (white-grilled eel over rice), “Sumibiyaki Unagi Nishiki Jyu” (charcoal-grilled eel with savory rolled omelet), and “Omi Beef Jyu” (rice bowl topped with premium Omi beef)—a great option for guests who prefer beef, making it easy to dine together with varying tastes. Reservations are recommended during peak hours.
Tochigi
Japanese Kaiseki Cuisine Made with Tochigi Ingredients Served in a Private Room
Japanese Restaurant Tajima is located in Hotel New Itaya near Utsunomiya Station, where you can enjoy seasonal flavors in a luxurious private room. The kaiseki cuisine is packed with flavor and seasonal ingredients from locally sourced ingredients, and the dishes vary depending on the season, day and night, so you'll want to come back again and again.
Saitama
A Historic Restaurant Established in 1927
Enjoy a kaiseki meal while overlooking a beautiful garden centred around a 100-year-old cherry tree, featuring traditional culinary techniques. Spend a special time in a high-quality Japanese space that is also used as a filming location for movies and dramas.
Tokyo
Savor Shimonoseki Tiger Pufferfish in Asakusa Throughout the Year
A specialty restaurant for fugu cuisine located near Kaminarimon in Asakusa. Course meals featuring natural tiger pufferfish weighing over 3kg, delivered directly from Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, are a highlight, with careful preparation that brings out the fish’s firm texture and rich flavor. Shirako and skin are also served, allowing the fish to be appreciated in full, while individual dishes are available for a more casual meal. Supporting ingredients receive equal attention, including domestically produced rice and vegetables, as well as junmai sake from Tanba in Hyogo Prefecture. Seating includes private rooms and a counter suitable for solo diners. Lunch courses are available on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and eel dishes are offered year-round, making the restaurant a convenient stop during visits to Asakusa.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Eel for Entertainment or Anniversaries by Area
Although eel is known as a luxury ingredient, it was a dish loved by common people during the Edo period. Even now, in areas famous for eel and in downtown areas, there are restaurants where you can casually stop by and enjoy eel such as umaki, uzaku, and shirayaki, allowing you to experience the food culture that has been alive since ancient times. There are also restaurants that specialize in ``unagi skewers,'' in which each part of the eel is skewered and grilled. It tastes like yakitori and can be enjoyed as an inexpensive accompaniment to alcohol.
Gifu
Unagi Glazed in a Secret House Sauce
"Namazuya Marunouchi" is located an 8-minute walk from Hashima City Hall Station on the Nagoya Railroad. Set in a warm, wooden interior, the restaurant serves traditional river fish dishes made with eel and carp. The 45-year-experienced chef grills the eel using traditional methods and finishes it with a secret sauce that has been refined over time. The "unaju (Grilled eel and rice in a lacquered box)" is renowned for its exquisite balance of eel, sauce, and rice. Other impressive and hearty options include the oke-mabushi, a rice bowl containing five long grilled eels, and the hitsumabushi, a rice bowl containing so much eel that it almost spills out of the lid.
Okayama
Unhurried Meals in a Dedicated Unagi Restaurant
"Marukatsu" is an eel and sushi restaurant founded in 1974. Domestically caught eels from Kagoshima and Miyazaki are slowly grilled in a secret sauce that has been added to since the restaurant first opened. Eels caught from autumn to winter are characterized by thicker flesh and skin, which enhances their flavor. Eels are also believed to help prevent colds and restore physical strength. As part of their social contribution efforts, the restaurant is running a campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers. Discounts are offered on unaju (grilled eel over rice in a lacquered box) and unadon (grilled eel over rice in a bowl). The carefully prepared soup stock and house-pickled eel reflect close attention to flavor, while a consistent focus on taste and hospitality shapes a dining experience that encourages return visits to Marukatsu.
Kyoto
Enjoy Kansai-Style Charcoal-Grilled Domestic Eel
This eel specialty restaurant is located just a 1-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, making it a convenient stop during your visit to Arashiyama. Housed in a traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse that honors its historic charm, the restaurant offers a tranquil atmosphere—perfect for both sightseeing breaks and special occasions. The dishes feature carefully selected, high-quality Japanese eel, expertly grilled by skilled chefs using Kansai-style techniques. The result is crispy skin, thick, tender flesh, and the irresistible aroma of charcoal grilling that enhances every bite. The rice is a premium Koshihikari variety specially prepared by Hachidaime Gihey, a well-known rice purveyor in Kyoto. The menu includes classics like Shirayaki (grilled without sauce), Kabayaki (grilled with sauce), Unaju (eel over rice), and Hitsumabushi, as well as a unique "Unagyuju"—a savory combination of Japanese eel and domestic beef. It’s a must-visit for eel lovers.
Mie
A Matsusaka Restaurant Specializing in Premium Eel Dishes Grilled Over Binchotan
This charcoal-grilled eel restaurant is located in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, just a short drive from popular tourist sites such as the Gojōban Yashiki (former samurai residence) and Ise Shrine. The owner carefully selects each eel, allowing them to swim in fresh well water on the premises for several days to tighten the flesh before preparation. The skin is grilled over binchotan charcoal until perfectly crisp, adding a rich, smoky aroma, while the meat remains tender and fluffy. The restaurant’s signature dish, "Hitsumabushi", features a perfect balance of eel, rice, and condiments that is simply irresistible. The rice is a specially cultivated variety, sourced directly from contracted farmers, enhancing the full flavor of the eel in every bite.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Casually Eat Eel by Area
Eel restaurants are loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults to the elderly, and have been used since ancient times for gatherings of families and relatives, such as meals on the day of the ox. Perhaps for this reason, there are many restaurants where families can enjoy meals together. If you have a private room, you can eat with your family without having to worry about people watching you, and if you have a tatami room, you can feel safe even if you have a baby or small child with you. When you travel with your family to an area famous for eel production, be sure to try it.
Kagoshima
Enjoy Exquisite Eel From Kagoshima Prefecture in Kirishima City
"Unagi no Ogata" is an eel specialty store located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. They only purchase eels from Kagoshima Prefecture that are farmed in high - quality natural groundwater, and they carefully manage the water by exposing them to natural groundwater even after they arrive at the store. Each morning, the eel is prepared only for the amount that will be used that day, so they are able to serve the freshest eel. The eel, which is slowly grilled over charcoal without being steamed, is fragrant and has a firm texture, but the meat is soft and chewy. In addition to being available for take - out or delivery, we can also ship nationwide, so you can enjoy the taste of the famous restaurant at home.
Tokyo
Savor Shimonoseki Tiger Pufferfish in Asakusa Throughout the Year
A specialty restaurant for fugu cuisine located near Kaminarimon in Asakusa. Course meals featuring natural tiger pufferfish weighing over 3kg, delivered directly from Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, are a highlight, with careful preparation that brings out the fish’s firm texture and rich flavor. Shirako and skin are also served, allowing the fish to be appreciated in full, while individual dishes are available for a more casual meal. Supporting ingredients receive equal attention, including domestically produced rice and vegetables, as well as junmai sake from Tanba in Hyogo Prefecture. Seating includes private rooms and a counter suitable for solo diners. Lunch courses are available on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and eel dishes are offered year-round, making the restaurant a convenient stop during visits to Asakusa.
Kyoto
Discover Kyoto’s Landmarks and Savour Premium Grilled Eel
Located approximately a 17-minute walk from Keihan Electric Railway Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, "Kyounawa Honten - Shimizu Hanare" is a restaurant specializing in eel dishes that are full of Kyoto atmosphere. High-quality eels are carefully selected and procured from all over the country, including from Mikawa Isshiki in Aichi Prefecture. They are carefully grilled by craftsmen and served with a deep-flavored sauce made using traditional methods to enhance the flavor. Their signature dish, Hitsumabushi, is a recommended delicacy. The restaurant's plain wood interior is a Japanese space that exudes the atmosphere of Kyoto, and there are tables where you can relax and unwind. It is close to Kyoto's famous sites and is easy to drop by, so why not enjoy some luxurious eel dishes in between sightseeing?
Okayama
Unhurried Meals in a Dedicated Unagi Restaurant
"Marukatsu" is an eel and sushi restaurant founded in 1974. Domestically caught eels from Kagoshima and Miyazaki are slowly grilled in a secret sauce that has been added to since the restaurant first opened. Eels caught from autumn to winter are characterized by thicker flesh and skin, which enhances their flavor. Eels are also believed to help prevent colds and restore physical strength. As part of their social contribution efforts, the restaurant is running a campaign to support pregnant women and new mothers. Discounts are offered on unaju (grilled eel over rice in a lacquered box) and unadon (grilled eel over rice in a bowl). The carefully prepared soup stock and house-pickled eel reflect close attention to flavor, while a consistent focus on taste and hospitality shapes a dining experience that encourages return visits to Marukatsu.
Search for Family-Friendly Restaurants Serving Eel, Categorized by Area
Even if you go to a well-known or long-established restaurant that is difficult to enter at night, for lunch you may be able to enjoy eel rice bowls, eel bowls, hitsumabushi, etc. at relatively reasonable prices. The eel is slowly grilled over charcoal with a secret sauce that has been passed down over time. There is no doubt that you will feel happy when you eat it. Recommended when you want to have a luxurious meal with friends, or when you want to recharge for work in the afternoon.
Nagano
Charcoal-Grilled Eel That Inherited the Taste of Its Predecessors
Located about a 10-minute walk from JR Ueda Station, "Hamasei" serves domestic eel dishes like unaju (eel rice box) and shirayaki-don (grilled plain eel rice bowl), alongside seasonal vegetable tempura. The restaurant's light, flavorful tare sauce has been passed down through generations, enhancing the taste of the tenderly grilled eel. The menu reflects seasonal ingredients, offering a well-rounded dining experience.
Oita
Enjoy the Finest River Fish at a Long-Established Restaurant in Tenryo Hita
A long - established eel and river fish restaurant that has been in business for over 160 years in Mameda Town, Hita City, Oita Prefecture, which flourished as a feudal lord during the Edo period. The river fish they sell, such as eel and sweetfish, are of such high quality that they are sold wholesale. The eel kabayaki grilled with a mild, not - too - sweet "secret sauce" that has been passed down from generation to generation is exceptionally delicious. The famous "Tenryo Unagi no Seiromushi", which uses carefully selected domestic eels, and the "Tenryo Ayu no Kamameshi", which is popular among women for its light taste, are must - try at least once. Enjoy the taste of a famous restaurant with a long history in a calm space filled with the warmth of wood, a reminder of the past.
Mie
A Matsusaka Restaurant Specializing in Premium Eel Dishes Grilled Over Binchotan
This charcoal-grilled eel restaurant is located in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, just a short drive from popular tourist sites such as the Gojōban Yashiki (former samurai residence) and Ise Shrine. The owner carefully selects each eel, allowing them to swim in fresh well water on the premises for several days to tighten the flesh before preparation. The skin is grilled over binchotan charcoal until perfectly crisp, adding a rich, smoky aroma, while the meat remains tender and fluffy. The restaurant’s signature dish, "Hitsumabushi", features a perfect balance of eel, rice, and condiments that is simply irresistible. The rice is a specially cultivated variety, sourced directly from contracted farmers, enhancing the full flavor of the eel in every bite.
Kyoto
Savour Exquisite Japanese Tiger Pufferfish Prepared for Ultimate Freshness
Founded about 45 years ago in Osaka, "Guenpin Kyoto Gion" is a specialty restaurant dedicated to Japanese tiger pufferfish. Conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station and 11 minutes from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, it stands near Yasaka Shrine with a luxurious white exterior as its landmark. Through unique techniques, the restaurant ensures that farmed Japanese tiger pufferfish achieve the same quality as wild-caught ones, offering a wide variety of exceptionally fresh dishes year-round. The menu ranges from casual à la carte selections to luxurious courses featuring carefully chosen wild Japanese tiger pufferfish delivered directly from Shimonoseki, the pufferfish capital. From April to October, seasonal eel dishes are also available, adding to the dining experience.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Eel for Lunch by Area
