Nagoya / Sakae, Hidden Gem “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”: Pickled plum and Eel

“Hitsumabushi Hanaoka,” located in Sakae, Nagoya, is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy carefully grilled unagi (eel) in various ways. Loved by locals and thoroughly satisfying for tourists, it is a great place for unagi and hitsumabushi.

The shop’s greatest feature is the exquisite unagi—crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—paired with ochazuke finished with “umeboshi” (pickled plum). At first glance, it seems like an unexpected combination, but the fragrance of the unagi and the mellow acidity of the Nanko umeboshi harmonize exquisitely, so you can enjoy it refreshingly all the way to the last bite without growing tired of the taste.

In this article, based on photos from the author’s own visit, we introduce what makes “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” special.

Highlights of “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”

Hitsumabushi with Crisply Finished Unagi and “Umeboshi”

When it comes to Nagoya cuisine, hitsumabushi comes to mind, and the unagi at “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” is finished with a fragrant, crispy skin and plump, juicy meat. It is truly outstanding unagi and very delicious.

In the ochazuke, combining it with “Nanko ume (umeboshi)” is a key feature; the acidity of the umeboshi, the bitterness of the tea, and the sweetness of the unagi and rice come together for a very delicious hitsumabushi. Once you taste it, the flavor is unforgettable—enough that you will want to visit “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” every time you come to Nagoya.

“Unaju” Grilled Crispy Outside and Fluffy Inside Is Also Extremely Delicious

Even as unaju, it is just as delicious—or even more so; the grilling, the flavor of the unagi, and the rice soaked in sauce are irresistible, making it an unaju you can thoroughly enjoy with a sprinkle of tinglingly spicy sansho pepper. It is also nice that sizes can be chosen in fine steps by the amount of unagi: “Tokujo (1.5 eels),” “Jo (1 eel),” “Hana (3/4 eel),” and “Kohana (1/2 eel).”

Also Enjoyable Paired with a Glass of Wine

At “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka,” wine by the glass is also on the menu, and it pairs delightfully with the unaju here. Enjoying it as an aperitif is fine, as is sipping wine alongside the unagi; being able to enjoy such pairings is also one aspect of Nagoya culture.

Atmospheric Interior and Spacious Table Seats

The interior is designed in a good old Japanese style, creating a calm atmosphere. The table seats are fairly spacious, so you can eat with relative ease whether you come as a group of 2, 4, or 6.

Points to Note About “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” (It Has Become Famous, and Waiting in Line Is Now Essentially Required)

If you go to a famous unagi and hitsumabushi restaurant in Nagoya, you generally need to be ready to wait in line no matter which shop you visit. In the past, “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” was famous among connoisseurs but was not widely known to the general public, so depending on the day of the week and time of day, you could sometimes get in without waiting. However, reviews now show that waiting in (quite a long) line is common.

Even though there is a line, the staff are soft-spoken, and you can wait after writing down your name. If you are going to eat truly delicious unagi and hitsumabushi in Nagoya, waiting in line is something to expect to some extent, but even so, it is genuinely one of our recommended shops.

Location and Access for “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”

Location

The shop is located in Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. By public transportation, Sakae Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway is the nearest station. It is on the 2nd floor of Sanritsu North Building, about a 5-minute walk from Exit S8 of Sakaechika.

There are several unagi restaurants (street-level shops) nearby, but they are different places, so please be careful not to go to the wrong one.

Basic Information on “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”

Item	Details
Store Name	Hitsumabushi Hanaoka
Address	2F Sanritsu North Bldg., 3-8-115 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi
Phone Number	052-252-2733
Business Hours	Lunch: 11:00–16:00 (L.O. 15:00) Dinner: 18:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
Closed Days	None (Open year-round)

Summary: “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”

“Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” in Sakae, Nagoya is a shop where you can thoroughly enjoy fragrant unagi that showcases artisan skill in its own unique style.

Besides enjoying it as a classic unaju, the ochazuke with shiso leaf and Nanko umeboshi lets you discover a new deliciousness that can only be tasted here. Slowly savoring unagi while choosing your preferred size in a calm Japanese space—sometimes with a glass of wine in hand—is exceptional.

Recently, it has become famous and waiting in line has increased, but even so, it is one of the well-known shops we genuinely want to recommend. When visiting Sakae, Nagoya, please try the wonderful unagi at “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka.”