Update-date: Jul 23 2024
The Day of the Ox in the summer of 2023 is on July 30th. To get through the hot summer, why not boost your energy with nutritious eel? From the famous hitsumabushi of Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture to luxurious unajū and unadon that let you indulge in a sense of luxury, the appeal is undeniable. The combination of perfectly grilled, fatty eel and the sauce, expertly prepared by skilled chefs, is simply irresistible.
1. Hisaya-Odori [Unagi no Shiromura]
Rejuvenate with Mikawa-Isshiki live eel, also offered to Ise Jingu Geku
A specialty store where you can enjoy fresh Unagi (eel) from Mikawa-Isshiki throughout the year, [Unagi no Shiromura]. It is located a 5-minute walk from Hisaya-Odori subway station, and inside the store, there is a fresh tank where live eels swim. Since the eels are prepared after receiving the order, you can enjoy a high-quality taste with no odor and rich fat. Why not gain the power to get through the summer from the precious eels that are also offered to the Outer Shrine of Ise Jingu?
Inside the store, we have modern Japanese-style table seating, private rooms divided into horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu) seating and tatami mat seating. There are also rooms where you can enjoy eel while gazing at a courtyard reminiscent of a Japanese garden. The chef's words are, 'I want you to feel energized by eating eel.' With bright hospitality and high-quality eel that has crispy skin and fluffy meat, you will feel happy.
2. Kashiwamori [Hitsumabushi Bincho Main Store]
Enjoy grilled eel cooked over indirect charcoal heat at a Hitsumabushi specialty restaurant
A well-known specialty restaurant for Hitsumabushi nationwide, [Hitsumabushi Bincho Main Store]. The eel, which is carefully grilled over a distant charcoal fire without steaming, has a perfect contrast between crispy skin and tender meat. The unique sauce made with tamari soy sauce and mirin from Aichi Prefecture fully brings out the deliciousness of the eel.
One of the attractions is that you can enjoy eel while looking at the garden in the spacious interior with 70 seats. It's great to visit alone for a power charge or to gather in a private table room. It's also nice that there's a 'Kids' Unagi bowl' that caters to families. Enjoy the Day of the Ox with a variety of rich menu options.
Hitsumabushi Bincho Main Store
Open: [Sunday,Saturday,Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (last order 8:30 pm) / Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (last order 2:30 pm)[Tuesday - Friday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm (last order 8:00 pm) / Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (last order 2:00 pm)
Closed: Closed on Mondays, Tuesday if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
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Closed: Closed on Mondays, Tuesday if it falls on a national holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPY
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3. Akaike [Maruya Honten Nisshin Kaguyama Store]
Savoring fresh eel at a specialty 'Hitsumabushi' restaurant
The nearest station is Akaike station, and the local cuisine of Nagoya, 'Hitsumabushi,' can be enjoyed at [Maruya Honten Nisshin Kaguyama Branch]. The secret to the deliciousness of their famous 'Hitsumabushi' lies in the process of purging the live eels to remove mud without causing them stress, and then chilling them with ice every morning. The eels are hand-prepared, ensuring they are fresh and rich in flavor. The texture of the eels, grilled to perfection over charcoal, is exquisite and will bring a smile to your face.
Inside the Nisshin Kaguyama store, you can catch a glimpse of the craftsmanship with the introduction of a live fish tank and an open kitchen, a first for Maruya Honten. Not only is the eel exquisite, but the light and refreshing sauce is also exceptional. You will be amazed by the taste that has been preserved through the traditional method of using cedar barrels to make 'tamari,' a process that has continued for about 200 years since the establishment.
Maruya Honten Nisshin Kakuyama Branch
Open: Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (last order 9:00 pm) / Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (last order 2:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
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Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
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4. Kokusai Center [Unagi-ka Shibafuku-ya]
In addition to the standard menu, there are innovative dishes that pair well with wine.
[Unagi-ka Shibafuku-ya] is located about a 6-minute walk from Kokusai Center station on Nagoya municipal subway Sakura-dori line. Among the highest quality blue eels, they use the larger ones lavishly, providing great satisfaction. In addition to the classic 'Unaju (Unagi over rice in a box)' and 'Hitsumabushi,' they also offer creative dishes such as 'eel liver ajillo' and 'smoked eel,' making it hard to choose.
A renovated traditional Japanese house standing in a town full of Edo-period charm. The original pillars have been preserved, creating a bright and comfortable space that blends traditional Japanese and modern aesthetics. Enjoy a variety of eel dishes prepared by a chef who grew up watching his father run an eel farming business, paired with drinks. Be sure to try pairing not only with sake and shochu but also with wine.
Unagi-ka Shibafuku-ya
Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 6-minute walk from exit No.2 of Kokusai Center Station on Nagoya Municipal Subway Sakuradori Line
Address: 1-23-10 Nagono, Nishi-ku, Nagoya city, Aichi
More Details Reservation
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPY
Access: 6-minute walk from exit No.2 of Kokusai Center Station on Nagoya Municipal Subway Sakuradori Line
Address: 1-23-10 Nagono, Nishi-ku, Nagoya city, Aichi
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5. Yabacho [Nagono Sumiyaki Unagi and Kashiwa(Chiken) Togawa]
Enjoy fatty eel in our calm restaurant or take it to go
Located a 5-minute walk from Yabacho Station, [Nagono Sumiyaki Unagi and Kashiwa (Chiken) Togawa]. The name 'Togawa' is derived from the character '登' in 'Unaginobori' (meaning 'rising like an eel') and symbolizes the powerful ascent of eels from the sea to the river. The eels, selected from Mogami during each season, are rich in fat, firm in texture, yet tender to the palate. The secret sauce enhances the flavor of the eel.
The interior of the store, which retains the atmosphere of an old traditional townhouse, exudes warmth. There are also table seats where you can enjoy your meal while gazing at the garden. You can spend a leisurely time inside the store, and it also offers convenient takeout options. Reception hours are from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Pickup times are until 2:30 pm and until 10:00 pm in the evening. Enjoying the Day of the Ox at home is also a great idea.
Nagono Sumiyaki Unagi and Kashiwa Togawa
Open: [Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (last order 2:00 pm)[Sunday,Saturday,Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (last order 2:30 pm)[Sunday,Monday,Wednesday - Friday,Day Before Holidays] Other 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (last order 9:30 pm)
Closed: Starting in August, we will be temporarily closed on Wednesdays. [New Year holidays] We will be closed only on the 31st and 1st.
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
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Closed: Starting in August, we will be temporarily closed on Wednesdays. [New Year holidays] We will be closed only on the 31st and 1st.
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
More Details
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
