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“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 leaving tourists thoroughly satisfied, it is a great shop for unagi and hitsumabushi.
The shop’s greatest feature is the exquisite unagi—crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—along with ochazuke enjoyed with “umeboshi” (pickled plum) to match. 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, allowing you to enjoy it refreshingly without growing tired of the taste until the very last bite.
In this article, based on photos taken during the author’s actual personal experience, we introduce the charms of “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka.”
Charms of “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”
Hitsumabushi with Crispy-Finished Unagi and “Umeboshi” Included
Speaking of 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 brilliant unagi and very delicious.
In ochazuke, enjoying it combined 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 overlap, resulting in a very delicious hitsumabushi. This flavor is unforgettable once eaten, to the extent that it makes you want to visit “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” every time you come to Nagoya.
“Unaju” with a Crispy-Outside, Fluffy-Inside Grill is Also Extremely Delicious
Even when eaten as unaju, the deliciousness remains unchanged—or is even more delicious; the level of grilling, the deliciousness of the unagi, and the rice soaked in sauce are irresistible, making it an unaju you can enjoy delightfully with a sprinkle of tinglingly spicy sansho pepper. It is also appreciated that sizes can be chosen finely according to the amount of unagi: “Tokujo (1.5 eels),” “Jo (1 eel),” “Hana (3/4 eel),” and “Kohana (1/2 eel).”
Can Also Be Enjoyed Paired with a Glass of Wine
At “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka,” “glass wine” is also on the menu, and this pairs delightfully well with the unaju at “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka.” Enjoying it as an aperitif is fine, as is enjoying wine alongside the unagi; being able to enjoy such combinations is also one aspect of Nagoya culture.
Atmospheric Interior and Spacious Table Seats
The interior design is in a good old Japanese style, creating a calm atmosphere. The table seats are made rather spacious, allowing you to eat with relative ease whether going in a group of 2, 4, or 6 people.
Points to Note About “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka” (It Has Become a Famous Shop and Waiting in Line is Recently Mandatory)
If you go to a famous unagi and hitsumabushi restaurant in Nagoya, you generally need to prepare yourself 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 slot, you could sometimes enter without waiting. However, reviews now show that waiting in (quite a long) line is seen.
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 prepare for to some extent, but even so, it is genuinely one of our recommended shops.
Location and Access of “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka”
Location
The shop is located in Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. When using public transportation, Sakae Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway is the nearest station. It operates 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 shops, so please be careful not to make a mistake.
Basic Information of “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 fully enjoy fragrant unagi showcasing artisan skills in its own unique style to your heart’s content.
Not to mention enjoying it as a classic unaju, the ochazuke combined with shiso leaf and Nanko umeboshi lets you encounter a new deliciousness that can only be tasted here. Spending time slowly savoring unagi while choosing your preferred size in a calm Japanese space—sometimes with a glass of wine in hand—is exceptional.
- Grill Level Showcasing Artisan Skills: You can taste exquisite unagi finished crispy and fragrant on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Enjoying it simply as unaju is also recommended.
- One-and-Only Hitsumabushi Finished with Umeboshi: The ochazuke combining shiso leaf and Nanko umeboshi is a new deliciousness you can only encounter here, where the umami of unagi and mellow acidity harmonize.
- Shop Atmosphere Where You Can Relax: The calm Japanese space features wide table seats, allowing you to slowly enjoy unagi with a glass of wine from the menu in hand.
- Detailed Size Selection and Courteous Service: Besides being able to finely select the amount of unagi, the soft-spoken hospitality of the staff is pleasant, making you feel it is worth visiting even if you have to wait in line.
Recently, it has become a famous shop and waiting in line has increased, but even so, it is one of the famous shops we genuinely want to recommend. When visiting Sakae, Nagoya, please try the wonderful unagi at “Hitsumabushi Hanaoka.”
Recommended Hotels for Sightseeing and Business Trips in Nagoya
While Nagoya offers an abundance of hotels and plenty of options, accommodation prices have been rising lately, making it harder to find a budget-friendly hotel that truly fits your needs.
To make the most of your stay in Nagoya, the area you should choose will vary greatly depending on whether you prioritize convenience for traveling, want to keep accommodation costs down, or wish to enjoy the nightlife. Booking a place without knowing the characteristics of the neighborhood could lead to disappointments, such as finding out it is much farther from the station than expected or too noisy at night to get a good sleep.
To ensure a successful hotel search in Nagoya, please use the following article as a guide.
While the Nagoya Station area is a great option, the best neighborhood in Nagoya really depends on what you want to do. I'll take you through them, so read carefully and find the perfect hotel for you!
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