Edogawa Naramachi Nara Review: Best Hitsumabushi Eel
Discover Edogawa Naramachi, a hidden gem near Nara Park serving incredible Hitsumabushi (grilled eel). Here is our honest review of this local favorite.
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Discover Edogawa Naramachi, a hidden gem near Nara Park serving incredible Hitsumabushi (grilled eel). Here is our honest review of this local favorite.
If you are planning a trip to Osaka, taking a day trip to Nara Park is an absolute must-do. After a wonderful afternoon hanging out with the famous local deer, my friends and I were craving a hearty, authentic meal. We decided to visit Edogawa Naramachi, a legendary grilled eel (unagi) restaurant highly recommended by local Osaka culinary experts and regional food channels.
How to Get to Edogawa Naramachi
🚇 Just a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station
⏰ Opening Hours
Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Break Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Weekends & Holidays: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
(No break time on weekends)
Please note: Closed on the third Thursday of every month.
This local favorite is located about a 15 to 20-minute walk (roughly 0.7 miles) from the main areas of Nara Park.
It is the perfect distance to walk off some energy after strolling through the park and feeding the deer, arriving just as your appetite starts to build.
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Edogawa Naramachi is incredibly famous for its traditional Hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice) and is highly popular among both locals and international travelers.
Upon entering, you will find a lovely display of local products and traditional items that are fun to browse after your meal.
At the reception counter, you will be asked to take off your shoes, place them in a locker, swap into comfortable slippers, and follow the staff to your dining room.
We were guided to a spacious room overlooking a beautiful, serene Japanese courtyard garden in the center of the restaurant. The staff was incredibly welcoming and even offered helpful tips in English, making us feel right at home.
Our dining room was very spacious, featuring two large tables that can easily accommodate four people each. It is an ideal setup for families or groups of up to eight people to enjoy a cozy and private meal together.
Edogawa Naramachi English Menu Available
Since this spot is highly popular with global travelers, they provide clear English menus, making the ordering process incredibly easy and stress-free.
After looking over the options, my friends and I decided to order the signature full-portion grilled eel sets.
The absolute must-try dish here is the Ohitsumabushi, which costs about ~$28 (4,400 JPY). My friends and I ordered this signature set, while one of us with a smaller appetite opted for the half-portion option.
The Ohitsumabushi arrived as a beautifully presented, traditional set meal. The portion of grilled eel was incredibly generous, and the rich, smoky aroma was mouthwatering.
Eating Hitsumabushi is a unique culinary experience that actually follows a traditional three-step process.
They provide an English guide at the table detailing how to enjoy your meal. I recommend trying all three traditional methods to see which one you like best!
First: Enjoy the grilled eel and rice plain to savor the pure, smoky glaze.
Second: Mix in the seaweed, green onions, and a touch of fresh wasabi.
Third: Pour the hot dashi broth over the mixture to enjoy it as a comforting Ochazuke.
By trying all three, you will quickly find your favorite. For me, the second method with the green onions and wasabi was absolutely spectacular!
The Ochazuke style was also wonderfully comforting and delicious.
While a ~$28 lunch is slightly premium, the high expectations we had were fully met. It was an incredibly satisfying meal with zero regrets.
The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, offering English guidance that left a wonderful, lasting impression of our time in Nara.
Because it is so popular with both locals and tourists, there might be a short wait during peak hours, but it is absolutely worth writing your name on the waiting list.
If you are exploring the Osaka region, definitely plan a day trip to Nara, greet the friendly deer, and treat yourself to this incredible grilled eel feast!
It is about a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. If you are starting from Nara Park, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes on foot.
On weekdays, it is open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM with a break time from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. On weekends and public holidays, it operates without a break time. The restaurant is closed on the third Thursday of every month.
The dish featuring a generous portion of one whole eel is called Ohitsumabushi. The price is 4,400 yen, and for those with a smaller appetite, a half-eel option is also available to order.
The first way is to scoop just the rice and eel to enjoy the original flavor. The second way is to eat it with seaweed, green onions, and wasabi. The third way is to add rice crackers, pour suicha (tea broth) over it, and enjoy it as ochazuke.
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