For lunch on this day, I visited Yanonochō in Chiyoda-ku. It was my first time visiting the eel restaurant "Yamanochaya" located north of Nippon Jinja. I made a reservation a few days in advance by phone, although it seems that reservations can also be made online. I leisurely made my way from Tokyo Metro Tameike-Sannō Station. While it is possible to access the restaurant from within the Nippon Jinja grounds, I entered from the road leading from Sannō-zaka, which leads to the front entrance. As I entered the premises, a pleasant eel aroma wafted through the air. Perhaps there are cameras set up as well? At the moment I reached the entrance, a staff member in a kimono appeared. I was guided to the second floor where there are only four rooms, with the one I was in being the smallest. It was a cozy tatami room, and it was hard to believe that I was in the heart of the city. The atmosphere exceeded my expectations and was truly pleasant. Beer options include Kirin, Asahi, and Suntory. I chose Asahi based on my companion's preference. I started with a bottle of beer and made a toast. Soon after, the first dish of sesame tofu was served. It had a rich and deep flavor. Next was the grilled liver, which was the most delicious and refined liver I have ever tasted. This called for some sake, so I requested a warm sake. There is only one brand of sake available, "Kinshi Masamune" from Fushimi, Kyoto. Following that was the grilled white eel from "Kurikara," which was absolutely exquisite. It was so delicious that I ordered another serving. It was said to take about 30 minutes to grill, but I decided to wait. When the white eel was first served, it came with finely textured salt like snow salt, but when I ordered another serving, it came with salt as well as a dish of wasabi and soy sauce. The wasabi soy sauce was also delicious. Eel white grilled with wasabi soy sauce is truly delicious! I couldn't resist! As for the flow of the lunch course, it would be followed by red miso soup, grilled eel, rice, and pickles. I wanted to have the rice and red miso soup together, so I asked if I could have the grilled eel first and then slowly enjoy my drink, followed by the rice and red miso soup. The staff kindly accommodated my request, even though it was my first visit. The eel that came out was impressively large. It may not be a brand eel like "Bando Tarō" or "Kyōmizu," but it was sufficiently fatty and delicious. It was an exquisite eel with a light and traditional Edo-style sauce. Additional white grilled eel was served, and finally, the rice was served. The rice in the tea bowl was a small portion, but there was plenty in the wooden container. I filled up on rice, hot red miso soup, and pickles, and at the end, a watermelon dessert was served. It was a luxurious two-hour lunch. I left the restaurant with a warm farewell from the landlady. I felt that it was a wonderful place to spend a special time with a special person on a special day. (Visit rating: 3.71)

A former colleague from my previous office came to Tokyo, so we decided to have lunch together. We ended up going to a mountain tea house, which I thought would be a unique and Japanese experience for them since they hadn't been there before. It had been about 6 or 7 years since I last visited, and I was once again impressed by the traditional Japanese house surrounded by greenery right in the heart of Tokyo. The colleague, who is from Hong Kong, was intrigued by the menu items like sesame tofu, eel's liver, grilled eel with salt, red miso soup, grilled eel, and seasonal fruit (pear). The eel dishes were particularly delicious, not too heavy but full of flavor. Despite the busy conversation ranging from Chinese politics to Tokyo's structure and Japan's future, the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant helped us enjoy our meal.

I am happy that there is a space like this right in the heart of the city in the Akasaka or Tameike-Sanno area. Walking through the gates of the restaurant into the lush garden provides a moment of relief from the heat. A friendly hostess greets you at the entrance. Today, I had a lunch meeting with someone I am grateful to. The spacious tatami room felt luxurious, even though it was just the two of us. We started with a toast with bottled beer, followed by a starter of sesame tofu that was soft and chewy, setting the stage for the eel dishes to come. Next, we enjoyed grilled eel liver that was rich and tender, followed by grilled eel in a salt seasoning that melted in the mouth. Instead of clear soup, we were served a red miso soup with tofu, mushrooms, trefoil, and swirl-shaped wheat gluten. The main dish was a generous portion of grilled eel, tender and flavorful, served with delicious rice. I found out that the rice was Niigata Uonuma Koshihikari, which was incredibly tasty. I couldn't resist getting a second helping of rice along with the pickles and cucumber. The dessert was seasonal fruit, a refreshing pear that ended the meal perfectly. We finished with warm tea and paid the bill. The lunch course, including tax and service charge, was 10,890 yen, which I found to be very reasonable considering the quality of the meal. This restaurant is suitable for business meetings or dates, and I look forward to returning. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I visited a mountain tea house near Nagatacho, close to the official residence. As soon as I entered, I was able to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and felt like I had arrived at a rural inn. The tatami room was incredibly quiet, and in the midst of the silence, I could hear the sound of cicadas in the garden, giving off a summer-like atmosphere. There were several courses available, and I ordered the 20,000 yen course. After the appetizer, eel skewers, sashimi, chawanmushi, and more were served, followed by a generous portion of eel kabayaki and rice. The dishes leading up to the kabayaki were also delicious. The eel was served in a hearty portion, so enjoying it with rice was a blissful experience. I was a bit concerned about the eel bones, but overall, I think this restaurant would be suitable for various occasions. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

The mountain tea house, famous for former Prime Minister Murayama's resignation announcement, is known for its high threshold. However, I visited and found that the prices are now more affordable, even for individuals. Surprisingly, reservations can be made online. The eel course was perfect, with delicious grilled and liver dishes. The eel was tender and flavorful. However, the building and atmosphere felt a bit cluttered and lacking in cleanliness. The entrance was disorganized, making it hard to tell it was the entrance. They should pay more attention to customer flow. With such a great location and building, investing in facilities and increasing customer spending would be beneficial. The food was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

The eel is fluffy and melts in your mouth, with two slices of it. An exquisite kabayaki. Eel steamed in the Kanto style is the best after all. The tenderness and refined flavor are outstanding. You can enjoy very delicious eel here. This is a long-established eel restaurant that has been around since the Edo period in 1849. Located in the heart of the city, the restaurant is in a quaint building that exudes tranquility. It is situated within the grounds of Tameike-Sanno, surrounded by lush greenery and nestled in a secluded spot. As it operates by reservation only, you cannot just drop by spontaneously. Many food enthusiasts and discerning figures from the political and business world visit here, and you can expect exceptionally delicious eel dishes.

The view from the room is filled with many trees, making it hard to believe that this is right in the heart of the city. The chirping of birds echoes, and there is no sign of the hustle and bustle of the city. The building has a vintage feel, with wooden window frames instead of sashes, giving it a retro look from the Showa era. The furnishings are also vintage and lovely. The eel is grilled in the Kanto style, steamed before being grilled to a fluffy texture. Right behind is the Hie Shrine. After the meal, we recommend taking a stroll through the Hie Shrine while enjoying the cherry blossoms.

Akasaka Mitsuke's famous eel restaurant "Yamanosatoya" is a long-established eel shop founded in 1625. It has a traditional and elegant atmosphere, located next to Hie Shrine. Surrounded by nature, it feels like a hidden gem in the middle of the city. The air and ambiance are truly wonderful, thanks to its proximity to Hie Shrine. I tried the lunch course, which included sesame tofu, grilled liver, salt-grilled eel, red miso soup, broiled eel, rice with pickles, and dessert. Everything was delicious, but the grilled liver was particularly outstanding. The restaurant has a sophisticated and charming atmosphere, with all seats in private rooms, making it perfect for business meals or adult dates. The natural surroundings make it a more pleasant dining experience during the day than at night. - Restaurant Name: Yamanosatoya - Google Maps: Yamanosatoya 03-3581-0585 - Nearest Stations: Chiyoda Line Kokkai-gijidomae Station (Exit 5) 3 minutes walk, Ginza Line/Namboku Line Tameike-Sanno Station (Exit 5) 3 minutes walk, Marunouchi Line Akasaka-Mitsuke Station (Exit 10) 6 minutes walk, Marunouchi Line Kokkai-gijidomae Station (Exit 1) 4 minutes walk, Yurakucho Line/Hanzomon Line Nagatacho Station (Exit 6) 10 minutes walk - Address: Located on the street on the side of Hibiya High School, facing the front entrance of the store, 297m from Akasaka Mitsuke Station - Opening Hours: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00 - Closed: Sundays, Holidays - Reservation: Reservation required, reservation hours: 9:00-20:00, please contact the store by phone for seat, private room, and menu reservations - Budget: Dinner ¥15,000-¥19,999, Lunch ¥10,000-¥14,999 - Other Information: Private rooms available, not available for full venue rental, all seats non-smoking, no parking (please use the parking lot at Hie Shrine or nearby coin parking or paid parking) - Hashtags: #Yamanosatoya #AkasakaGourmet #AkasakaLunch #Eel #Unagi #DeliciousEel #GourmetLovers #GourmetInstagram #GourmetMemo #GourmetLoversWanted #FoodPornInstagram #FoodPornLover #TabeLog #TabeLogGram #FoodieTravel #DeliciousIsHappiness #GourmetFriendsWanted #FoodieClub #FoodieGirls #FoodieBoys #WantToConnectWithFoodies #KantoGourmet #FoodReportGram #GourmetReport #FoodWriter #FoodieWriter #BGradeGourmetInformation #TokyoGourmet

For those who like sweet and savory sauce, this place is especially good. The eel is fluffy with no crispy texture on the outside, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of the eel itself. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo. The liver, grilled eel, and eel bowl are all delicious, and the quality of the eel is top-notch. The grilled eel is also not crispy, so it may be a matter of personal preference. Thank you as always.

It's been two and a half years since I visited the famous eel restaurant "Yama no Chaya". The eel was perfectly grilled, the sauce was just the right balance of sweet and savory, and the rice was cooked to perfection. Their sesame tofu, grilled white fish, red miso soup, pickles, and fruits were all delicious. I definitely want to visit this renowned restaurant again. #SesameTofu #GrilledWhiteFish #RedMisoSoup #Pickles #Rice #GrilledEel #Fruits #MustVisitRestaurant #Top100EelRestaurants #YamaNoChaya 2-10-6 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

This place, which opened in the early Edo period and later moved to its current location, is located next to the Nipponbashi Shrine in a charming building built in 1922. I ordered the ¥19,360 eel lunch course in a private tatami room. After four appetizers, I enjoyed the liver and grilled eel. The liver had no unpleasant smell and a firm yet fluffy texture. The grilled eel was tender, smooth, and melted in the mouth. The eel with a sauce that exuded elegance and a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture was truly delicious. The sweet, glossy rice complemented the eel perfectly. Overall, it was an eel dish that I would love to try at least once in a lifetime, and I was glad I did.

The people I work with took me here for a meal! They had reserved a private room on the second floor for 4 people. They had pre-ordered a course meal for us. Since I couldn't take notes during the meal, I took pictures for record. The appetizers included fried shrimp, sweet potato, burdock root, edamame with cheese, and an omelette. It had a mix of Japanese and Western flavors, highlighting the freshness of the ingredients like shrimp, sweet potato, and burdock root. The bone crackers that came next were crunchy and enjoyable. Then we had grilled liver and white fish skewers, followed by a sashimi platter. The sashimi was unexpectedly good with a nice texture. We also had chawanmushi, clear soup, grilled eel over rice, and dessert - pear. The chawanmushi and clear soup had a gentle flavor, while the grilled eel over rice was very satisfying. The order in which the dishes were served was wonderful! The wine they recently started offering was also delicious. The portion size was just right, not too much or too little, but after finishing everything, I was stuffed! The atmosphere was charming, and the hospitality was lovely, making it a great choice for business dinners or adult dates. Thank you for the wonderful meal! ◎

Adjacent to the Nogi Shrine, this mountain tea house was visited for the first time. I had thought it was located at the top of the Nogi Shrine, but it turned out to be at the base. Established in 1625, the restaurant has a traditional Japanese inn atmosphere, with a calm and natural setting that is hard to believe is in Akasaka. The private rooms feature sunken kotatsu tables. During Golden Week, the floor heating was on due to the slightly cold weather. The course menu included: - Appetizers: broad beans, firefly squid, deep-fried shrimp, white fish and bone senbei, grilled liver, grilled fish, white grilled chestnut, sashimi: Isaki, flounder, sweet shrimp, eel-steamed rice, clear soup, grilled eel, white rice served in a box, dessert: strawberries. This time, we had the top course (including tax 21,780 yen), which is suitable for business dinners. Overall, the dishes were very stable and delicious. The sashimi was fresh, and even the Isaki, which I am not particularly fond of, was delicious. Trying the white grilled chestnut for the first time, the fluffy texture with a subtle saltiness made me want seconds. The grilled eel was substantial with a soft texture and a not overpowering taste, and the sauce was not too sweet. It paired well with the generous eel. The rice was served in a tea bowl from a box separately, very elegant. Enjoying the grilled eel with Japanese sake without rice might also be a good idea. I was surprised by the drink prices. Without looking at the menu, I ordered a highball, which was very strong and generous in quantity. I thought it would be around 2,000 yen per glass, but it was only 500 yen! My friend's oolong tea was only 300 yen! The prices of drinks were modest compared to the quality of the food. It was a long-awaited visit to the mountain tea house. However, the building was not clearly visible in the dark, so visiting during the daytime may be more enjoyable.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is great. Despite being in Tokyo, it feels like a calm countryside old house, very relaxing and nostalgic. The food was decently tasty, nothing special. The main issue is the service. The service level is really low. There seem to be many experienced staff, but they are not good. They ruin all the other good aspects of the restaurant.

I was dropped off in a natural setting that felt like being abandoned in the mountains, in a good way. The place had an old-fashioned charm in the middle of the city. It had a strong presence, like the comedy duo "Amagami Kesshitai". The food was delicious, especially the eel course. I was very impressed. There were many small insects due to the abundance of greenery, so if you're not a fan, bring someone like me who can calmly squash them.

Today, I made a sudden reservation and visited Yamanochaya in Nagatacho to try their eel dish. Located near the Prime Minister's Official Residence and the National Diet Building, I was surprised to find an eel restaurant in such a place. The eel dish was very delicious.

The exterior of the restaurant, like a part of the Nippara Shrine, looks very nice. However, it was very disappointing. It was the first time I encountered sand in eel, and there were also many small bones. The sauce lacked flavor, and the eel itself was too moist, almost like it had been steamed and left out. The grilled skewers were also disappointing, not fluffy but rather flat. I did not expect ketchup to be served at an eel restaurant, and even the shrimp potato had tough skin and was disappointing. The most delicious thing was the strawberry, but even that was sprinkled with sugar, which was a bit surprising. I had high expectations for hospitality at an eel restaurant, but the issue with the sand and the follow-up response left me feeling sad. Many restaurants rely on their history, but I hope that the employees, and the restaurant itself, will have at least a minimum level of pride in their work.

Our family's New Year tradition, starting with eel. We made a reservation for this place for 2022 as well. I am grateful for the time to relax and enjoy eel in a calm, traditional Japanese atmosphere. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were greeted and led to a private room after taking off our shoes and sanitizing our hands. The time from arrival to the first course is quite short as we had already communicated our course selection during the online reservation. There are two course options for both lunch and dinner, but we usually opt for the cheaper lunch course as it is satisfying for us. The lunch eel course costs around 10,890 yen including service charge. The dishes included sesame tofu, grilled liver, white grilled eel, red miso soup, kabayaki eel, rice, pickles, and fruit (usually strawberries). The quality of the eel, rice, and overall dining experience was excellent as always.

A lovely restaurant that makes you forget you're in the city center. The view outside the window is of a forest, very quiet, and the tatami rooms are private, creating a relaxing atmosphere like being on a trip. Most importantly, the eel dishes that come out one after another are truly delicious. Unforgettable.

Adjacent to the premises of Hie Shrine is the well-established eel restaurant "Yamanochaya." Despite being in the heart of the city, in Akasaka, it is filled with greenery and has a charming atmosphere. Climbing the stone steps, you come across a building that exudes history. It has been around since the 11th year of the Taisho era. The establishment of the restaurant dates back to the second year of Kan'ei (1625) - truly remarkable. Each room is a private dining space, creating a luxurious ambiance. Being so close to Hie Shrine, the atmosphere and air are truly refreshing. The lunch eel kaiseki course costs 19,360 yen (including tax and service charge). There is also a course for 10,890 yen (including tax and service charge). Appetizers: First served were four appetizers, including pickled radish and shrimp. Grilled Eel Liver: The liver was grilled perfectly, with a delightful balance of nuttiness and bitterness. The firm and gelatinous texture was delicious. White Grilled Eel from Kuri: This dish was particularly impressive. The fluffy texture exceeded expectations, with a melt-in-your-mouth sensation. Seasoned with salt, it allowed the richness of the eel to shine through. Eel Kabayaki: Finally, the eagerly awaited eel kabayaki! Prepared in the Kanto style, the eel was steamed to achieve a light and tender texture. The sauce, a secret recipe passed down since the Edo period, is light and complements the deliciousness of the eel. Rice: Eel is best enjoyed with a serving of rice. Soup: Although not liver soup, it contained conger eel and water shield. Pickles: Radish, cucumber, and pickled eggplant. Seasonal Fruit: We were served watermelon. While the course may feel slightly lacking, the delicious grilled eel and kabayaki, as well as the magnificent building and atmosphere, make for a wonderful dining experience. Considering the maintenance costs of the building and garden, the price seems reasonable. It was a thoroughly satisfying and relaxing time. I would love to revisit for another delightful experience.

If you have no appetite, try eel. This summer, I ate eel a lot. First, from the mountain tea house. Arriving, I couldn't help but exclaim in amazement! What is this place?! The exterior is so impressive that it makes you wonder if a famous writer wrote a novel here. The solemn and old-fashioned interior further fuels the imagination. My excitement was so high that I couldn't help but ask the woman who seemed to be the landlady if famous writers like Ryunosuke Akutagawa or Hanaoka Tanizaki had visited here, but she replied firmly, "No, they haven't." It's more like a traditional Japanese restaurant than an eel shop. This time, I made a reservation for a course menu of about 15,000 yen, but looking at the menu now, the prices and course contents have changed, so maybe my visit was a good deal. The lineup included sesame tofu, grilled liver, grilled white fish, fried shrimp, vinegar dish, eel set meal, and watermelon. Each dish was perfect, with no moments of doubt, just pure perfection. The grilled liver was crispy but not bitter, and the salt-grilled eel was tender and flavorful. The fried shrimp, which I thought was fried chicken at first, turned out to be a delicious surprise with a crunchy texture. The vinegar dish served at the perfect timing was visually beautiful and delicious. The main dish, the eel set meal, was simply amazing with its soft and tender eel. The rice was exceptionally delicious as well. Despite claiming to have no appetite, my friend and I finished all the rice in the container. Laughing and enjoying the atmosphere with watermelon, feeling like a writer, we concluded the meal with great admiration. Overall, the landlady's slightly salty attitude didn't bother us at this point. Thank you for the wonderful meal.