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.
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.
Ibaraki
Authentic Japanese Cuisine Made With Seasonal Ingredients
This long-established Japanese restaurant in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, has a history of over 80 years. Reservations are required and guests can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from Ibaraki, including "Hitachi beef," monkfish, and eel. The relaxing atmosphere of all private rooms makes it ideal for special occasions such as celebrations and anniversaries. Enjoy the traditions and seasonal flavors of Ibaraki to the fullest, along with the generous hospitality that creates a luxurious experience and the exquisite dishes that showcase the skill of our artisans.
Aichi
Enjoy a Quality Time at an Elegant Restaurant From the Edo Period
Located just a 2-minute walk from Nagoya City Subway Kamiiida Station, "Okaiseki Shiratama" is housed in a relocated Edo-period building that preserves traditional architectural elements like tea rooms and shoin-style designs. Guests can savor seasonal kaiseki cuisine meticulously crafted from fresh ingredients. Dishes like sashimi served on lotus leaves are artistic masterpieces that engage all five senses. The restaurant pairs its delicate dishes with exclusive sake, such as the specially brewed "Hyakushun" from Kosaka Sake Brewery. The historic setting, combined with private tatami rooms, makes it ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or casual meals.
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.
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.
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?
Shizuoka
An Eel Specialty Store in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Where You Can Enjoy a Spectacular View
An eel specialty store located on the 18th floor of Hotel Concorde Hamamatsu, which stands near Hamamatsu Castle in Shizuoka . The eel from Lake Hamana, which is thick, fatty, and of consistent quality, is carefully grilled to create a fluffy texture on the inside and a crispy exterior. The sauce, inherited from the recipe of Hotel Kokonoe, a luxury inn that closed in 2021, is sweet and rich, and pairs perfectly with the sticky, flavorful rice made with Koshihikari rice grown locally in Hamamatsu City. It's also nice to have a selection of local sake carefully selected by the sake master. In addition to table seats, there are private rooms, so it is recommended for anniversaries and get-togethers.
Kyoto
Enjoy the Seasonal Scenery Along the Kamo-gawa River
This long-established Japanese restaurant is located in an alley in Pontocho, Kyoto. Its tasteful appearance blends in with the historic streetscape, further enhancing the atmosphere of its customers. Taking advantage of its location along the Kamo-gawa River, the restaurant offers a riverside terrace from May to September, allowing customers to enjoy their meal while feeling the cool breeze. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including eel dishes, which have been on offer since the restaurant's founding, as well as Kyoto kaiseki and sukiyaki. The restaurant is renowned for its delicate flavors that make the most of the ingredients' natural taste. In addition to tatami rooms, the restaurant also has private rooms with table seating, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, including entertaining, business meetings, and family meals. It is also close to Shijo Kawaramachi and Gion, making it an easy place to stop by in between sightseeing.
Hyogo
Beloved by Locals for Authentic Japanese Cuisine
This Japanese restaurant is approximately a 10-minute drive from JR Sasayamaguchi Station. The owner and chef, who have experience training in Osaka, use their skills while considering what their customers want and only serve dishes that they themselves believe are delicious, offering dishes such as "Otsukuri Gozen (Sashimi set meal)," which features an assortment of recommended fresh fish. As they source seasonal ingredients, the menu changes depending on the season, and they aim for local production and consumption, so they use vegetables from Tanba Sasayama City as much as possible and Koshihikari rice that has been lovingly grown locally. In addition to purchasing sake from a local sake brewery in the hopes of supporting the local area, they also stock a selection of shochu carefully selected by the owner.
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.
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.
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.
Tokyo
A High-Quality Eel Restaurant for Everyone, Affordable and Welcoming
The first Tokyo branch of "Seiryu Unagi Tsukishima," with its main store located in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is just a 4-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hongo-sanchome Station. The restaurant offers high-quality, large Japanese eels at affordable prices, seasoned with a sweet Kyushu-style sauce that is easy for children to enjoy and appeals to people of all ages and genders.
Kyoto
Enjoy the Seasonal Scenery Along the Kamo-gawa River
This long-established Japanese restaurant is located in an alley in Pontocho, Kyoto. Its tasteful appearance blends in with the historic streetscape, further enhancing the atmosphere of its customers. Taking advantage of its location along the Kamo-gawa River, the restaurant offers a riverside terrace from May to September, allowing customers to enjoy their meal while feeling the cool breeze. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including eel dishes, which have been on offer since the restaurant's founding, as well as Kyoto kaiseki and sukiyaki. The restaurant is renowned for its delicate flavors that make the most of the ingredients' natural taste. In addition to tatami rooms, the restaurant also has private rooms with table seating, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions, including entertaining, business meetings, and family meals. It is also close to Shijo Kawaramachi and Gion, making it an easy place to stop by in between sightseeing.
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.
Ehime
Enjoy Authentic Eel with Carefully Selected Sake
An eel restaurant in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. Domestic eels are cooked plump in the Kanto style, and the skin is thoroughly grilled to bring out the fragrant aroma. The sansho pepper used is from Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture, and has a rich aroma that brings out the flavor of the eel. The restaurant stocks local sake from Ehime Prefecture's Toyo, Chuyo, and Nanyo, and the wines are carefully selected, focusing on natural varieties. The interior features a calm, modern Japanese atmosphere with table seating, making it perfect for dining together. There are also plenty of counter seats, so solo diners can easily stop by.
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.
Nagano
The Ultimate Eel, Grilled With Expert Skill at a Long-Established Restaurant
"Kappo Maruitei" is located approximately a 6-minute walk from JR Iida Station. It is a prestigious restaurant that has been pursuing eel cuisine every day while preserving the taste of a long-established restaurant. Only the highest quality farm-raised eels are carefully selected, then grilled over charcoal by skilled artisans until the surface takes on a glossy amber hue. The flesh is plump and tender, while the skin offers an irresistible crispness. This exquisite eel is complemented by a rich, sweet sauce that has been nurtured and preserved for over a century since the restaurant's founding. Paired with rice from Nagano, grown in the abundant natural environment of Shinshu, the dish delivers blissful flavour from the first bite to the last.
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.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Eel for Lunch by Area
