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Eel

Luxurious time in "Kawagoe"
where you can spend
a relaxing time without crowds.

Experience the craftsmanship
an exclusive private-space
eel dining experience

You can also book through
the following sites

  • Woman Eating Eel
  • Pictures of eel dishes
  • Woman looking at live eel
  • Eels being broiled
  • Tourists enjoying a meal
  • A man grating wasabi
  • Townscape of Kawagoe
  • A woman holding an eel
  • Pictures of knives
  • Staff photo
  • Woman Eating Eel
  • Pictures of eel dishes
  • Woman looking at live eel
  • Eels being broiled
  • Tourists enjoying a meal
  • A man grating wasabi
  • Townscape of Kawagoe
  • A woman holding an eel
  • Pictures of knives
  • Staff photo

Kawagoe,
a town where the elegance of
Edo meets food.

Kawagoe is a popular tourist destination known as "Little Edo", characterized by its traditional warehouses dating back to the Edo period.
Conveniently located only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo, the area's atmospheric warehouse buildings, shrines and temples, and quaint streets will enchant visitors.
One of the attractions of Kawagoe is that you can take your time during the week and in the evening, when you can enjoy taking a meal of local food and drinks and stroll around the city with a sense of its history.

Read more about
tour details

Access

Access Minimum 30 minutes from Tokyo to Kawagoe

Kawagoe is an attractive tourist destination because of its easy accessibility, and can be visited in as little as 30 minutes by train from Tokyo. Since it is directly accessible from major stations, there are few transfers and it does not take much time to get from one place to another.

Google Map>
Map

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A special experience to savor the depth
of eel cuisine at the renowned restaurant
“Daikoku | Unagi & Washoku”

In Kawagoe, home to many famous eel restaurants, we offer a unique experience where you can enjoy a meal while learning about the history of eel and its preparation process directly from skilled artisans.
Enjoy Japan’s premium ingredient, eel, paired with local Kawagoe sake, along with a hands-on wasabi grating experience. (Some options require an additional fee)

  • Photo of the interior of the restaurant
  • Photo of food
  • Photo of eels

Course Outline

Contents

Eel Experience Tour

Duration

Approximate duration:
2 hours

Meeting time: 17:00 Dismissal: 19:00 (planned)

Fee

12,100 yen per person
(tax included)

English guide:
+11,000 yen (tax included)

※Only one English guide per group. Please note that, even if you select this option, the guide may not always be available as arrangements are made after booking. If a guide cannot be arranged, we will contact you individually.
※Children aged 3 and over are charged the same price as adults.
※Participation is free for children under 3 (no meals provided).

Optional Experiences (Available on the day at the venue)

Wasabi grating experience:
+3,000 yen per group (tax included)
Sake pairing (3 glasses):
+3,500 yen per adults (tax included)

※The sake pairing option is available only for adults (20 years old and above).

Meeting place

Daikoku | Unagi & Washoku - Kawagoe Kashiya Yokocho
(2-9-24 Motomachi, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama)

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Daikoku | Unagi & Washoku - Kawagoe Kashiya Yokocho

Washoku large grain

The best eels with traditional skills and passion.

Established in 1967, there are 10 Japanese traditional restaurants in Saitama Prefecture.
It is one of the few restaurants in Japan that specializes in freshly selected eels from all over Japan and sources live eels and prepares them fresh on-site. Eel dishes prepared with traditional techniques have appeared in various media and have been highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad.

  • A woman holding an eel
  • Woman holding sake
  • Woman looking at live eel
  • Woman eating broiled eel
  • Tourists enjoying a meal
  • A man grating wasabi
  • Tourists looking at charcoal
  • Woman Eating Eel
  • Experiencing the skewering of an eel
  • Tourists listening to the explanation of a craftsman
  • A woman holding an eel
  • Woman holding sake
  • Woman looking at live eel
  • Woman eating broiled eel
  • Tourists enjoying a meal
  • A man grating wasabi
  • Tourists looking at charcoal
  • Woman Eating Eel
  • Experiencing the skewering of an eel
  • Tourists listening to the explanation of a craftsman

Experience

01

Fresh eels up close!

Daikoku | Unagi & Washoku - Kawagoe Kashiya Yokocho, a restaurant specializing in eels, processes and cooks eels only after receiving a customer's order. We offer a rare opportunity to see and touch live eels up close before they are processed. Learn about the culture of eels while hearing from the artisans about the characteristics of eels and how they are prepared.

Live Eels
  • A kitchen knife
  • Sharpening a kitchen knife
  • Tourists watching cooks
Eel craftsman

Experience

02

Demonstration of eel processing and grilling by eel artisans

At Daikoku | Unagi & Washoku - Kawagoe Kashiya Yokocho, you will have the opportunity to see up close the vivid handling and grilling techniques of the artisans, which cannot be seen in the ordinary course of business. The craftsmanship of these men, with their years of experience and skill, is truly an art. Please come and experience the moment when fresh eels are transformed into delicious dishes by the artisans.

  • Grilling eels
  • A cook at work
  • A cook at work

Experience

03

Shirayaki — best enjoyed for its freshness

Shirayaki is a cooking method in which eel is grilled directly over an open flame without seasoning, sauce, or oil. By letting excess fat drip away while locking in natural umami, it allows you to savor the eel’s pure, original flavor.
This is a luxurious experience where you can compare flavors while learning directly from artisans how to best enjoy it.

Shirayaki
  • Woman eating broiled eel
  • Woman eating broiled eel
  • Woman eating broiled eel
Sake

Experience

04

Sake Pairing & Wasabi Grating Experience (Optional)

Enjoy a luxurious pairing of eel dishes with sake specially selected for this experience by the owner of “Kagamiyama,” Kawagoe’s only local sake. The rich aroma and deep flavor of Japanese sake further enhance the umami of the eel. Did you know that wasabi pairs well not only with sushi, but also with eel? Savor freshly grated wasabi and condiments, prepared by yourself, together with your eel dish.

  • Staff introducing Japanese sake
  • Grating wasabi
  • Wasabi (Japanese horseradish)

SPECIAL TOPIC

What is
"Kagamiyama",
Kawagoe's local sake?

“Kagamiyama" is a Japanese sake produced in Kawagoe by the Koedo Kagamiyama Sake Brewery. It is a locally brewed sake with a gorgeous taste and a refreshing aftertaste. It is characterized by a satisfying taste that makes the most of the sweetness and flavor of the rice and has a low astringent taste.
Because quality is a top priority, only small quantities are prepared, and everything is made by hand by artisans.

Experience

05

Enjoy the exquisite Unaju

The highlight of the tour is the special Unaju. The grilled eel is fragrant on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and one bite of the grilled eel will bring you a moment of pure bliss. It goes great with the rice soaked in the secret sauce. It is a special time to dine while enjoying conversation with the chef.

Grilled eel
  • Woman eating broiled eel
  • Grilled eel
  • Grilled eel

Participant's Voice

Voice

  • Woman eating grilled eel

    Hong Kong

    5

    I have lived in Japan for 5 years now and had never seen or eaten shirayaki before. It was a good experience for me to know the original taste of eel! I also learned a lot about the history of eels and how they are cooked.

  • Man drinking sake

    the UK

    5

    I have eaten many kinds of eels in Japan, but I think this was the first time I had eels that had been carefully deboned. The explanation by the craftsman was interesting and knowledgeable. The sake was also very refreshing as it was the first time for me to drink sake.

  • Woman eating grilled eel

    the U.S.A.

    5

    It was very interesting to learn that the best binchotan charcoal was chosen to tenderize the eels. It was very fun to grate the wasabi by ourselves and it was nice to have a variety of condiments for the eel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is a guide included?

A. No, a guide is not included. An English-speaking guide can be added as an optional service (one guide per group).

Q. What is your cancellation policy?

A. There is no cancellation fee until 24 hours prior to the tour start time. 24 hours prior or later, a cancellation fee (100%) will be charged.

Q. What do I need to bring for this experience?

A. There is nothing in particular to bring.

Q. Are there any physically demanding experiences?

A. This experience is not very physically demanding. It will be done at a slow pace, so please do not worry.

Q. Can I take pictures?

A. Yes, you are free to take pictures and post them on social networking sites.

Q. Can I change the menu due to allergies, etc.?

A. We sincerely apologize, but we are generally unable to accommodate allergies.

Q. Can children (3 years old and up) participate?

A. Yes, you can participate. In that case, the fee will be the same as for one adult.

Q. How can I get to the meeting place?

A. Please take a cab or city bus from Kawagoe Station, Hon-Kawagoe Station or Kawagoeshi Station. If on foot, the nearest station is Hon-kawagoe Station, and it takes about 20 minutes to the meeting place.

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the following sites

A town where you can feel the not only eels but also Japanese history

Kawagoe Sightseeing Spots

  • Kura-zukuri Streets

    Street of warehouses built in the olden days

    The area lined with black plaster buildings that evoke the atmosphere of the Edo period are a great place to take pictures. The area is a great place to take pictures and enjoy the timeless atmosphere of the area.

  • Toki no Kane

    Bell of Time

    The "Toki no Kane" (Bell of Time), a symbol of Kawagoe, is a historical landmark whose sound can still be heard today. It has been telling the time to the people of the city since the Edo period (1603-1868).

  • Hikawa Shrine

    Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

    Famous as the god of marriage, this shrine offers beautiful votive tablets (ema) and wind chimes. Also popular as a power spot for love.

  • Kashiya Yokocho

    Kashiya Yokocho

    A street with a nostalgic Japanese atmosphere where you can enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and Kawagoe's gourmet food. Enjoy eating and walking around the street.

You can also book through
the following sites

Operating company
New Fuji Corporation
Cooperation and Support
Regional Design Laboratory of Saitama Co., Ltd
Representative
Yoshiyuki Yamada
Established
1972
Location
〒350-1137
129 Sunashinden, Kawagoe, Saitama
URL
Daikoku | Unagi & Washoku
- Kawagoe Kashiya Yokocho【OFFICIAL】

Bookings in as
little as 5 minutes

Check the schedule and
make a reservation.