On the final day of my stay in Fukuoka, I woke up a little later and took the Nishitetsu Limited Express to Yanagawa. The last time I visited Yanagawa was when I was just starting university, so it was many decades ago. Yanagawa was just as I remembered it, a quiet water town with canals flowing through the moat. Enjoying a boat ride, you can see the willow trees lining the riverbanks, swaying in the wind, creating a very relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Another highlight of Yanagawa is the steamed eel dish called "seiro mushi." In ancient times, eels were caught in the canals, leading to the development of this unique culinary tradition where eel is steamed with rice in a steamer basket. Until 2019, there were two Yanagawa restaurants listed in the Tabelog Eel Top 100, but unfortunately, in 2022, none of them made the list. I chose to dine at the "Honkichiya Honten" which was previously on the Top 100 list. It's a 10-minute walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, or you can take a taxi for around 700 yen. The restaurant is a splendid old Japanese house with a thatched roof, although the roof was being repaired during my visit. You take off your shoes at the entrance and are led to a spacious tatami room with a view of the courtyard's maple leaves. I ordered the Special Seiro Mushi Set for 6100 yen and a bottle of Ebisu beer for 950 yen. The regular seiro mushi comes with 4 pieces of eel, while the special set comes with 5 pieces. In the Nagoya region and westward, eel is cut into pieces, hence the count. The set meal also includes grilled eel with grated radish. While enjoying my Ebisu beer and admiring the maple leaves, the grilled eel was served. It arrived in a large tiered box, still steaming hot. The eel was nicely grilled with a slightly sweet sauce, crispy skin, and tender flesh, a delicious Kansai-style preparation. The rice, steamed with the eel and sauce, had a chewy texture and a delightful sweet flavor. The grilled eel, grilled before being steamed, was plump and cooked to perfection. The grated radish with the eel and fluffy egg threads paired excellently. The liver and tofu dish had a refined flavor, and the homemade pickles were elegantly tasty. I sprinkled some sansho pepper halfway through and savored the meal slowly, but the eel was so delicious that I finished it quickly. I sipped on tea and leisurely enjoyed the view of the garden. Seiro mushi is a delicious way to eat eel that is not often found in Tokyo. I hope that this cultural tradition of Yanagawa will be preserved, but the prices have certainly gone up significantly. It's now priced similar to Tokyo. As a tourist, I hope that delicious seiro mushi can be enjoyed at a more affordable price in Yanagawa, and I believe that Honkichiya Honten, the best in Yanagawa, will continue to pass down the tradition of seiro mushi without compromising on quality.

Seiro steamed eel (with liver soup and appetizer) ¥4,800 When it comes to eel in Yanagawa, this place is considered the originator of seiro steamed eel. The restaurant is in an old-fashioned two-story building, with a shiny staircase at the entrance like an old inn. When you enter the first floor, you can see a spacious garden, creating a bright and quiet tatami room. Many foreigners visit, and the elderly waitress explains in English, such as "No rice" or "Set," which seems challenging. The eel is first grilled until it has a crispy surface. The rice is mixed with sauce in advance, and when steamed with the eel, it has a chewy texture like mochi rice. The eel is tender and easy to eat, with a generous portion. The liver soup, which has become rare to see lately, is served here with care, including yuba, trefoil, daikon, and carrots. The fresh vegetable pickles are a perfect palate cleanser. Enjoying the eel as a local dish in a calm atmosphere brings back memories of special occasions in the past.

This is the oldest and most historic eel steamed in a bamboo steamer restaurant in Yanagawa. It is a prestigious establishment where even locals from the area visit for celebratory occasions. The building itself exudes grandeur and elegance, setting high expectations. Arriving just after 10:00, I was the first in line, but soon a long queue formed behind me before the 10:30 opening. Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the open staircase, a charming design of traditional Japanese architecture. I was seated in the back of the tatami room with a view of the garden. I ordered the Minami-Fuji set meal for ¥8600 and the special eel steamed in a bamboo steamer set meal for ¥6400, both including the special eel. The eel was not only on top of the rice but also sandwiched in between. The Minami-Fuji set came with grilled grated daikon and fruit. The beautifully steamed eel arrived steaming hot, and with the first bite, I was enraptured by the tender, flavorful eel, the fragrant rice, and the sweet and savory taste. It truly was a taste of happiness. The liver soup was also incredibly delicious and comforting. Currently, eel fishing is prohibited in Yanagawa, but in the past, they used to set traps. Eel, a fitting ingredient for the charming town of Yanagawa, and among them, the exquisite eel steamed in a bamboo steamer was a delight to discover. I was so impressed by the deliciousness that I finished it in no time! The grilled vinegar dish and grated daikon were refreshing, allowing the full flavor of the eel to shine through. It was truly delicious. I may have become a fan of eel steamed in a bamboo steamer over eel rice bowls this summer...✨

I always go around 3pm on weekends to avoid the long lines, and this time I was lucky to get in without waiting. Usually there is a 30-minute to 1-hour wait, so being seated quickly was lucky! There are many eel restaurants in Yanagawa, but my favorite is the steamed eel here. It has a refined sweetness in the seasoning. Another famous restaurant had a sweeter seasoning that didn't suit my taste. The prices are high, but the deliciousness makes me want to come back about once every six months. I will visit again!

Recently, the nights have been getting cooler, even if just a little bit. In Hakata, you can enjoy the sound of bell crickets, although it's a mystery where they are living. Around my house, even though there are hardly any plants, there is a big chorus of them at night. I wonder if they are living in the grass around my house. In the nearby gutters, you often see stag beetles. I wonder if the stag beetles are making that sound... I visited this place a while ago, but I came back after a long time! Of course, I ordered the steamed eel. The eel here is not as rich as it looks, and compared to other stores, the sauce is light. The eel has a slightly strong and crispy finish, which is also a characteristic of this place. The liver soup at an eel restaurant is usually seasoned like miso soup, but here, it is a gentle and lightly seasoned liver soup, similar to what you would get at a traditional Japanese restaurant, and it goes really well with the steamed eel. I didn't understand the taste before, but after eating it again after a long time, I realized that it goes well with the steamed eel. Thank you for the meal! Yufuin is not far from my hometown, but for some reason, I don't often come here, so I don't know much about it.

I am the wife. On the last day of the three-day weekend, we went to a famous eel restaurant! We arrived around 9:45 a.m. expecting long lines. The parking lot was already full, and by 9:50 a.m. people started to line up in front of the shop. We were able to enter as part of the first group and finally tried the steamed eel at Motoyoshiya that we had been longing for! The eel, steamed with a rich sauce and grilled to perfection, was exquisite! We also ordered the grilled eel with grated daikon, which was also amazing! I always thought of hitsumabushi when it comes to eel, but Motoyoshiya's steamed eel is truly impressive! Note: The staff also mentioned that there are a few small bones, so parents should be cautious with young children. Adults shouldn't have any issues with it.

Unlike the eel at Daizenji in Kurume, it is possible to make a reservation here, so I came here for the first time. As expected of a long-established eel restaurant, I was able to enjoy a leisurely meal while looking at the well-maintained Japanese garden. The cost performance is a bit lower, but the steamed eel is also delicious! I will come back again!

Tomorrow is the midsummer day of the ox. I want to eat eel a day early. Since I am in Fukuoka, I decided to extend my trip to Yanagawa and aim for steamed eel in a steamer. It's another sunny day today. The sunlight is intense. Yanagawa is surrounded by moats, creating a nice atmosphere. I arrived at the renowned steamed eel restaurant "Original Motoyoshiya" almost at the same time as its 10:30 am opening. The sense of tradition is strong here. It seems like quite a few customers are already inside. I managed to get a seat for the first round. The garden is beautiful too. I ordered the "Special Steamed Eel" since I'm here. After a 40-minute wait, the steamed eel arrived. The fluffy eel steamed in a steamer, the perfect sauce over rice, and the thin omelette were all delightful. It was delicious. By the time I left the restaurant, there was already a long line forming.

Famous for their steamed eel in a bamboo steamer, this restaurant in Yukuhashi City, Fukuoka Prefecture was a must-visit for me. While riding my bike from Kumamoto City to Yukuhashi City, I had a little mishap when leaving the gas station and broke the brake lever. Despite the minor setback, I arrived a little before 11 AM at the restaurant, which was already open. I was seated immediately and ordered the steamed eel dish for 4800 yen. Although there was a slight wait for the food to arrive due to five other groups of customers, I enjoyed the anticipation of the delicious meal. When the steamed eel finally arrived, I could tell just by looking at it that it was going to be delicious. The plump and fluffy eel meat was a delight to eat, and the presentation in the aged dish with a strip of rolled omelette added to the charm. The sauce was generously spread over the rice, which I found to be a perfect hybrid of flavors. The meal exceeded my expectations and helped me overcome the shock of my earlier mishap. It was so delicious that I would love to eat it again and again. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Yanagawa is a charming town with a nostalgic atmosphere. Walking through the streets surrounded by canals offers a cool respite during the rainy season. And when it comes to Yanagawa, our restaurant stands out. The traditional building blends in with the old town, creating a soothing ambiance. True eel enthusiasts may find our steamed eel dish unconventional... I often hear critical opinions from those hailing from the Kanto region like myself. They say that steaming eel in a steamer basket is sacrilege... The sweetened tamago (omelette) is unnecessary... Pre-coating the rice with sauce before steaming makes it too sweet... It's more like a dish of rice than eel... I understand these critical opinions. Well, as long as it's delicious... I always order the Special Seiro Steamed Eel. It's now over 5,000 yen, but biting into the eel hidden in the sauce-soaked rice makes me feel like I got a good deal (laughs). I wish I could enjoy a more affordable, hearty meal of eel and rice, but it's difficult. I rated the restaurant, taking into account the overall atmosphere as well!

On the second day of my short trip to Fukuoka, I checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to Nishitetsu Tenjin Station. From there, I took a Nishitetsu train to Yukuhashi, which took about an hour. I started off with a dish of steamed eel over rice. Eel is a favorite of mine, but I don't eat it very often due to its high price. I usually treat myself to eel once every three months on a daytime holiday in Tokyo. In Yukuhashi, eel is a specialty, and steamed eel over rice is a common dish there. Yukuhashi was quite well-maintained, similar to Kurashiki, and I expected it to be a nostalgic and charming Japanese town. However, when I got off at the station, it felt like an ordinary suburban town. Due to the intense heat, we stored our luggage in lockers and headed to a popular restaurant within walking distance that we had our eyes on. Despite the scorching heat, there was a long line of people in front of this small restaurant located at a corner. It could accommodate over 100 people in a large traditional Japanese house. After waiting for about 40 minutes under the sun, we finally got inside and were seated in a spacious tatami room with sliding doors opened to make it even larger. We sat in a corner at the back, with enough space and privacy to relax comfortably. Through the glass doors, we could see a courtyard. We ordered the classic steamed eel over rice and a beer while waiting. The eel dish arrived quickly, and it was delicious. The sauce was thick, rich, and sweet, coating each grain of rice evenly. The eel portion was just right and neatly arranged in a tiered box. It was so tasty. Although it was a bit challenging to eat the rice grains stuck between the layers of the steamer, we managed to enjoy every bite. After the meal, we went for a boat ride down the river. It was a primitive boat with a boatman rowing, and the ride lasted about 70 minutes. The view was great, but it was still hot on the water. We were among the few Japanese passengers, with the rest being tourists from China, Taiwan, and Korea. It was nice to see international visitors returning to such places. We also visited the childhood home of Kitahara Hakushu before heading back to Nishitetsu Station to move to Dazaifu, where we had booked accommodation for the night. Our time in Yukuhashi was short but enjoyable. It would be much more charming and enjoyable to visit in the cool autumn rather than the scorching summer.

This is a calm restaurant where you can quietly enjoy eel over rice for the second time. Once July comes, it's time for eel. I ordered the steamed eel. The special steamed eel has two layers of eel, with more eel coming out from underneath the rice, which is a surprising structure, so I chose the steamed eel here. Shortly after ordering, the piping hot eel over rice arrived. The eel was firm and fragrant, and the rice soaked in the sweet sauce, along with the shredded omelette, created a delicious combination. This eel over rice in Fukuoka is in a different category from Tokyo's eel over rice, and I like it in its own way. The sauce for the steamed eel over rice in Fukuoka tends to be on the sweeter side, but this restaurant's sauce is relatively mild, making it easier to eat for those accustomed to Tokyo's eel.

I had always wanted to try the famous steamed seiro dish from Yanagawa. I ordered the Special Seiro Steamed Dish (5200 yen) while my friend got the Seiro Steamed Set Meal with Eel Vinegar (5900 yen). Since it was a hot day, we also had a bottle of Ebisu beer, although at 950 yen for a medium bottle, it was a bit pricey. The seiro steamed dish stayed piping hot until the end, and the sauce soaked into the rice was delicious. The atmosphere and service were great, allowing us to enjoy our meal in a relaxed manner. We arrived around 11:30 am on a weekday and were able to get in without waiting, but by the time we left, the entrance area was crowded with tour groups. Our time in Yanagawa, including the boat ride we went on later, will be a memorable part of our trip. If I have the chance to visit again, I would definitely come back here for the eel dish. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I first tried this restaurant about 5-6 years ago, and I have been visiting it at least once a year since then. I wasn't a big fan of eel before, especially the Kansai-style eel, but that changed after trying their steamed eel. It has now become one of my top 3 favorite dishes, along with sushi and sashimi. The fluffy eel is exquisite, and the eel vinegar dish with a crispy texture is also amazing. This is the best eel restaurant I have ever been to. It satisfies both my stomach and my heart beyond its price. I am looking forward to staying around Yanagawa on my next trip to Fukuoka.

When I was young, I used to come to this area often to buy furniture. It's been a while since I visited the main store. The smell of tatami is still the same, and the maintenance of the inner garden is impeccable, unchanged over the years. Prices have changed with the times. I had the special steamed set meal for 6,400 yen and a medium bottle of beer for 900 yen. When you order the set meal, you get an extra piece of grilled eel and an additional side dish of grilled fish. The dish I consider the most delicious eel dish in Japan. I first tried it when I was 26 years old. Sprinkle sauce on the hot rice, place the grilled eel and rolled omelette on top, and steam it. The harmony of flavors was incredibly delicious. The taste from the establishment in the Edo period in 1681 is still alive today. Thank you for the meal.

I came here for the first time and felt the high-class atmosphere of this shop, which has been around since the Tenwa era (1681). I ordered their special steamed dish, and it was incredibly delicious! The parking lot is spacious, so you won't have trouble finding a spot, but the road to the shop is short yet narrow, so beginner drivers should be cautious.

Hello!! It's lunch time. As a treat, I decided to go for eel here in Yufu. On the way to Fukuoka, I stopped by Yanagawa. The entrance exudes a sense of luxury and tradition, it's wonderful (*'ω'ﾉﾉﾞ☆ﾊﾟﾁﾊﾟﾁ). The eel was grilled before being steamed in a bamboo steamer, resulting in a plump and juicy texture. I wish there was a bit more volume though (laughs). It was delicious, thank you for the meal (*^^*)

When you think of Yanagawa, you think of eel. After enjoying a boat ride down the river, we decided to visit this restaurant. We were prepared for a long line due to the holiday weekend, and indeed we waited for over an hour during lunchtime. The whole time, we were tantalized by the delicious smell coming from the kitchen exhaust fan, making our stomachs growl. We were seated in a spacious room with a garden, and we ordered the steamed eel set meal (with liver, pickles) for 4,200 yen. The eel, grilled to perfection, was placed on top of rice soaked in sauce and steamed until piping hot. It was really hot, and we found ourselves panting while eating. Despite its appearance, it was surprisingly light and had an elegant taste.

Due to Golden Week, there was a wait, but I think it's worth it to wait for the food. However, it was unclear whether we needed to write our name and number of people to wait in line or just stand in line, which was a bit disappointing. (In reality, we just had to stand in line!)

As soon as the store opened, there was already a line forming. Since I was with children, they guided us to a private room in the tatami area. Thanks to that, we were able to enjoy the eel without worrying about others. I didn't include it in the photo, but the eel with vinegar dressing was especially delicious.

This time, I visited the original Honkichiya Honten located at 69 Asahimachi, Yukuhashi City, Fukuoka Prefecture for lunch, and had eel! It was that kind of day... The weather was lovely and sunny. Following the navigation, we turned into a narrow alley. I wondered if the restaurant really existed... But then, I saw smoke billowing out from the ventilation fan. Finally, I found the place! The restaurant had a traditional Japanese atmosphere and was well-maintained. We arrived a bit late for the opening, so there was a short wait of about 20 minutes. Once inside, I noticed there was a courtyard which added to the charm of the place. I ordered the special steamed eel set (with liver and pickles) for 5200 yen. It took around 30 minutes for the dish to be served, probably because they grill and steam the eel. The eel was tender and the rice was well-seasoned. There was another layer of eel tucked between the rice which was a nice surprise. I wish the eel slices were a bit thicker, but considering the rising prices, it's understandable. Overall, it was a delicious meal. Thank you for the feast.