Just a one-minute walk from the south exit of JR Hamamatsu Station, Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa enjoys a prime location in the heart of the city.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Thick, meaty cuts of O-Boku Unagi are grilled over high-temperature charcoal—crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

Their signature kabayaki-style eel is packed with savory flavor, making this restaurant a local favorite.

Widely praised in online reviews as a must-visit unagi spot in Hamamatsu, the restaurant has even been featured on national TV and other major media outlets.

This time, we had the chance to visit Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa—here’s a closer look at what makes this popular spot so special!

What is Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa?

Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa opened on January 31, 2024.

The name “Masa” is a tribute to the grandmother of owner Mr. Takuji Yamada—Ms. Masa Yamada, who inspired the restaurant’s name.

Ms. Masa, who lived to the age of 105, enjoyed unagi every month. She was known for her vitality, long life, refined taste, and stylish flair.

She was a truly graceful and elegant woman—someone everyone admired for her refined charm and vibrant presence.

Mr. Jun Koshikawa, owner of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa (Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa)

Inspired by the life and spirit of Ms. Masa, Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa is built on a commitment to quality—offering carefully selected local ingredients and top-grade unagi known for its impressive size and flavor.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Fresh, vibrant flower arrangements brighten the interior, while the modern and stylish design creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for every guest.

The Secret Behind the Deliciousness of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

At Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa, extra-large O-Boku Unagi is used—each eel weighing over 330 grams.

Thanks to its impressive size, the eel is thick and meaty—offering a satisfying bite and a flavor experience that truly leaves an impression.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Each O-Boku Unagi, sourced from either Lake Hamana or Isshiki in Aichi Prefecture, is carefully prepared and grilled by skilled artisans—one eel at a time.

Hamamatsu is a rare region where both Kanto-style (steamed before grilling) and Kansai-style (grilled without steaming) unagi preparations coexist.

At Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa, they specialize in the Kansai-style “jiyaki” method, where eel is grilled all at once over blazing charcoal at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C.

This high-heat technique draws out the eel’s natural flavor to the fullest.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Grilling at such high heat not only crisps up the skin, but also thoroughly cooks the tiny bones inside—resulting in a perfect texture that’s crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

The sauce is made with carefully selected ingredients, including ki-age shoyu and tamari soy sauce from Tominaga Brewing, a long-established soy sauce maker based in Hamamatsu, as well as Amakyo Mirin, a traditional sweet rice wine from a historic producer with over 150 years of history.

The sauce has a pleasantly sweet flavor, yet a clean, refreshing finish—that balance is part of its charm.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Recommended Dish #1: The Most Popular Choice – “Special Ju” with One Whole O-Boku Unagi

This time, we tried the owner Mr. Koshikawa’s top recommendation: the “Special Ju” with one whole O-Boku Unagi.

The first thing that amazed us was the sheer size of the unagi—you can actually see the oversized eel sticking out even before opening the lid!

The kabayaki was so large it overflowed from the box—bigger than anything we’d ever seen.

The moment we opened the lid, we couldn’t help but gasp in surprise!

Not only is the unagi impressively large—it also tastes absolutely amazing.

The smoky aroma of the charcoal-grilled unagi pairs perfectly with the sweet-savory sauce.

The skin is delightfully crisp, the meat soft and fluffy—the textures alone are enough to leave a lasting impression.

The rice is perfectly cooked, enhancing the rich flavor of the grilled unagi.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

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Special Ju (Toku-ju) – One Whole O-Boku Unagi / ¥5,830 (tax included)

・Unaju (grilled O-Boku Unagi served over rice)

・Aonori (green laver seaweed) from Lake Hamana

・Wasabi-zuke (wasabi pickles)

・Clear clam soup (with hamaguri)

*Price as of June 2025

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Recommended Dish #2: Special Unagi Bowl with Liver (Limited Quantity)

Next up on the list of recommended dishes is the Special Unagi Bowl with Liver, limited to just 30 servings per day.

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

The fresh eel liver has none of the bitterness or harshness you might expect.

Thanks to the large-sized unagi used, the liver itself is also big and meaty—offering a unique volume and texture you won’t find anywhere else.

Because it’s only available in limited quantities, this popular dish sells out every day.

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Special Unagi Bowl (Jo-unagi-don) with Liver / ¥5,940 (tax included)

・Six slices of O-Boku Unagi

・House specialty: kimo-yaki (grilled eel liver)

・Unagi rice bowl

・Aonori (green laver seaweed) from Lake Hamana

・Wasabi-zuke (wasabi pickles)

・Clear clam soup (with hamaguri)

*Price as of June 2025

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In addition to these, the menu features a variety of classic options, including the traditional Oju (grilled eel served over rice in a box), Unagi-don (Unagi rice bowl), the Jo-unagi-don with Shira-yaki (six slices of O-Boku Unagi plus three slices of white-grilled eel), the Ohitsu Unagi set—which lets you enjoy it first as a rice bowl, then as ochazuke—as well as set meals and à la carte dishes.

Oju (Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa)

Ohitsu Unagi (Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa)

Locally Sourced Ingredients at Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

The clear clam soup (with hamaguri), Lake Hamana aonori (green laver), wasabi-zuke (wasabi pickles), and sansho pepper provided at the table—all served with the set meals—are carefully selected local specialties from Hamamatsu and Shizuoka Prefecture.

The name Hamamatsu Jiyaki also reflects the owner’s wish for guests to enjoy delicious unagi together with local specialties like Lake Hamana aonori (green laver) and wasabi-zuke (wasabi pickles).

Fragrant Aonori from Lake Hamana

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Grown in the rich waters of Lake Hamana—known for its abundant seafood—Lake Hamana aonori is prized for its vibrant green color and fragrant flavor.

Its refreshing seaside aroma and the natural umami of the seaweed are tightly packed into every bite—making it a perfect match for the savory, charcoal-grilled unagi.

Rare Budō Sanshō from Haruno Town

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

The sanshō pepper used at Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa is Budō Sanshō, known for its vibrant yellow-green color.

While Wakayama Prefecture is the top producer of sanshō in Japan, in Hamamatsu, it is grown exclusively in Haruno-cho.

This rare Haruno-grown sanshō has a refreshing, citrus-like aroma that pairs beautifully with the smoky scent of charcoal-grilled unagi.

According to the owner, Mr. Koshikawa, many customers are fans of Budō Sanshō for its exceptional flavor.

So when the supply from Haruno isn’t enough, they also rely on sanshō from Wakayama Prefecture.

Wasabi-zuke Made with Genuine Shizuoka-Grown Wasabi

Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

Made with genuine Shizuoka-grown wasabi and sake lees, wasabi-zuke offers more than just a kick of spice—it’s a flavorful accompaniment in its own right.

The mellow heat of the wasabi-zuke enhances the flavor of the kabayaki, perfectly complementing its sweet soy-based sauce.

Crowd Levels at Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

As one of Hamamatsu’s most popular unagi restaurants, it fills up every day.

Reservations are available, and even solo diners are encouraged to call ahead.

Online reservations can be made for groups of up to four people.

Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa – Restaurant Information

Address: 325-38 Sunayama-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture (1st Floor)

Tel: 053-488-6020

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11:00–15:00 (Last order 14:30)
Dinner: 17:00–21:00 (Last order 20:30)

Closed: Wednesdays

Access: 1-minute walk from the South Exit of Hamamatsu Station

Payment Methods:
Cash
Credit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, Diners
QR Code Payments: PayPay
*Electronic money is not accepted.

Seating Capacity: 38 seats
Counter seating: 6 seats
Table seating: 24 seats
Semi-private sunken kotatsu rooms: 2 rooms (4 seats each)

Counter seating and Table seating (Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa)

Semi-private sunken kotatsu rooms (Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa)

Private Bookings: Please inquire for details

Smoking: Non-smoking throughout the restaurant

Parking: No on-site parking (Coin-operated parking is available nearby.)

*If you park at a lot that accepts the “Hamamatsu Machinaka P Coupon,” you’ll receive a ¥300 parking voucher.

Official Website: https://unagimasa.com/

A Message from the Owner, Mr. Jun Koshikawa

The Enshu region is blessed with mountains, rivers, a lake, and the sea—a rich natural environment that nurtures an abundance of delicious local food.

At our restaurant, we strive to create a space where guests can fully enjoy the carefully selected, exceptional food culture of this region.

We proudly serve our signature O-Boku Unagi with the hope of exceeding the expectations of guests from across Japan—many of whom already associate Hamamatsu with top-quality unagi.

We aim to create an experience so memorable that it leaves you smiling and saying, “Hamamatsu unagi really is the best.”

We look forward to welcoming you.

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We’ve introduced Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa, located just a one-minute walk from the south exit of JR Hamamatsu Station.

Enjoying the Special Ju – One Whole O-Boku Unagi in a refined and tranquil setting makes for an unforgettable dining experience.

The attentive care and kindness of the staff made the entire dining experience all the more pleasant—it’s truly a wonderful restaurant.

We hope you’ll take the time to visit Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa and experience it for yourself!

Special thanks and photo credit: Hamamatsu Jiyaki Unagi Masa

If You’re Looking to Enjoy Unagi in Hamamatsu…

＼＼ Here’s Another Great Experience ／／

Unagi Catching & Kabayaki Grilling Experience

Catch your own eel
and enjoy it grilled as a delicious kabayaki rice bowl!
A popular hands-on activity you can only find in Hamamatsu.

👉 Click here to make a reservation