01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
A classic unaju—served with savory basting sauce and tender grilled freshwater eel—is a timeless specialty of traditional Japanese eel dining. At Takehana in Higashiryoke, Kawaguchi, meals center around these well-crafted unaju boxes pairing kabayaki eel with steamed white rice in a calm, relaxed dining room. Multi-tiered eel sets can come accompanied by kimosui, a clear soup made with eel liver, making the wait while the eel grills to order a pleasant part of the experience.
Unatama, Tenju, and Comforting Everyday Rice Bowls
Beyond its specialty unaju, the restaurant also stands out for an approachable selection of rice bowls and boxed meals. The unatama-don, where eel is bound in softly simmered egg with a sweet-savory sauce over rice, makes a satisfying, casual option for a lunchtime meal. The kitchen also prepares tenju, featuring tempura prawns, fish, and vegetables draped in a soft batter, alongside fragrant yakitori-don and oyakoju, letting diners choose according to their mood.
Savory grilled eel liver (kimoyaki), chilled tofu (hiyakko), and pickles can be paired with beer or other drinks while waiting for a meal to arrive. Open for midday lunch as well as evening dining and takeout, Takehana provides a quiet setting that feels just as welcoming for solo diners as it does for larger meals.
