Enjoy premium domestic unagi (eel) in a historic house built in 1927 near Shinbashi

Just a 2-minute walk from Shinbashi Station, Unagi Kōnoya Ginza Main Branch offers a luxurious dining experience featuring top-quality unagi (eel). Each eel is steamed until tender, marinated in their secret sauce, and grilled three times over charcoal to create a perfectly balanced flavor with a rich aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The Kantō-style (Eastern Japan style) method of splitting the eel from the back and steaming it removes excess fat, making the meat light and fluffy while enhancing its savory umami. Each eel is then carefully grilled according to its condition, resulting in a glossy caramelized finish and delicate texture. The signature unajū (grilled eel over rice) pairs the deeply flavored eel with rice coated in their house-made sauce—a dish you simply can’t miss.

Carefully selected domestic eels are steamed to perfection, marinated in their secret sauce, and grilled to achieve a soft texture and deep flavor. The restaurant uses premium Yamagata rice known for its stickiness and rich grain quality. Their signature unajū is a must-try, while the delicate umaki (eel omelet roll) with a touch of sweetness and the special curry-flavored hone karaage (fried eel bones) are popular à la carte items. For group dining, the Kōnoya Course (12 dishes, ¥12,000 per person, reservation required) lets guests enjoy various eel preparations, including kabayaki (grilled with sauce), shira-yaki (grilled without sauce), and even a rare mizutaki (light hot pot). Course contents may vary depending on the season and availability.

The restaurant also offers a wide range of otsumami (small dishes) and sake to complement the eel. From nutrient-rich kimo kushi (grilled eel liver skewers), known for aiding recovery from fatigue, to shira-yaki (plain grilled eel) that allows you to savor the pure taste of eel, every item reflects the chef’s craftsmanship. Their sake list changes seasonally, featuring labels carefully selected to pair with the eel’s rich flavor. The takeout-only unagi bento (Regular ¥4,800 / Premium ¥7,000) is also highly popular as a souvenir or a self-reward meal to enjoy at your hotel after a busy day.

Just a 2-minute walk from Shinbashi Station toward Ginza, this two-story kominka (traditional townhouse) was once a rice shop established in 1868 and renovated into a restaurant. The building features a deep overhanging eave, a hallmark of Dashiketa-zukuri (extended-eave architecture), constructed in 1927. Today, the scent of freshly grilled domestic eel still wafts through this nostalgic space, where skilled chefs perform live cooking at the front counter—a true sight to behold. Despite being in the heart of Tokyo, the calm and timeless atmosphere allows guests to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience away from the city’s bustle.