Unagi Sakuraya

Unagi Sakuraya is a long-established eel restaurant founded in 1856 (Ansei 3), with more than 160 years of history. Mishima City has many eel restaurants, but this one is especially famous and is always bustling with diners. It’s located right near Izuhakone Railway “Mishima-Hirokoji” Station in a busy restaurant area, and as you approach you can smell the fragrant aroma of grilling eel. The secret behind Mishima eel’s flavor is Mt. Fuji’s underground spring water. By letting eels swim in Fuji’s spring water for several days, excess fat is reduced and any odor is removed, producing a cleaner, tastier eel. Sakuraya’s traditional house flavor is often described as “karumi” (lightness), and many people love it as a taste that never becomes tiring. Because it’s so popular, wait times can be long; reservations are recommended if you don’t have much time. The building also has a classic atmosphere that reflects its long history, and enjoying fragrant eel under the high ceilings feels especially luxurious. Mishima Taisha Shrine is about 1 km away, making it easy to pair with a stroll around town.