Unagi is the Japanese word for freshwater eel in Japan. For those with any familiarity with Japanese cuisine, you’ll recognise it as one of the toppings available at sushi restaurants. But, there are also entire restaurants specialising in serving just grilled unagi!
The hitsumabushi set meal. - image © Florentyna Leow
Dig even just a little into unagi in Japan and you’ll find two culinary camps: Kanto-style and Kansai-style. What’s the difference between these two? Kanto-style (East Japan) sees the eel being sliced open along the back and steamed prior to grilling, giving it a more tender texture. In West Japan or Kansai, they dispense with the steaming altogether. The eel is sliced along the belly and grilled immediately, rendering it beautifully crispy on the outside.
Tokyo eel restaurants serve unagi mainly in the Kanto style. Eel isn’t the cheapest meal around. It’s a little more expensive than your average meal in Tokyo, and given the dwindling supplies of unagi from overfishing, an above-average meal of eel will set you back at least JPY3,000. So if you’re going to eat some eel, it may as well be good. We’ve put together a list of some unagi restaurants that are definitely way better than average!
- Hitsumabushi Bincho Ginza (Ginza; mid-range to expensive)
If you’d like a refined meal of unagi while exploring Ginza, then this Nagoya-style restaurant is sure to please. - Izuei Honten (Ueno; mid-range to expensive)
For an unagi experience of a lifetime, visit Izu-ei Honten in Ueno. Any restaurant that’s been going strong for over 200 years is doing something right with their food. - Kabuto (Shinjuku; mid-range)
Kabuto, in Shinjuku’s Piss Alley, takes you back to 1950s Tokyo with its no-frills head-to-tail (unagi) eel dining experience. - Unatetsu (Shinjuku; mid-range)
If you love eel and you’re feeling adventurous, head over to Ganso Unatetsu in Shibuya. This hole-in-the-wall unagi specialist serves skewers using all parts of the eel from head to tail. Grilled over charcoal, it’s a real treat for eel-lovers! - Tsukiji Miyagawa Honten Isetan Shinjuku (Shinjuku; mid-range)
We love the Shinjuku outpost of Tsukiji Miyagawa Honten, an old-school eel restaurant that’s been in operation since 1893. The Isetan branch is modern and comfortable, but keeps the grilled eel standard as high as the original. Plus, there are English menus! - Akasaka Fukinuki (Akasaka; mid-range to expensive)
For some truly delicious classic Kanto-style unagi, where they steam the eel prior to grilling it, you can’t go wrong with Akasaka Fukinuki. This beautiful, traditional restaurant might be one of the best eel experiences in this part of town!
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Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
