Get to Know Hamamatsu

Shibuki – Enjoy Premium Unagi in a Casual Setting in Kanzanji

Shibuki is a long-loved unagi restaurant in Kanzanji—one of Hamamatsu’s top tourist spots—offering a relaxed place to enjoy delicious eel, even with children…

Located on the famous Kanzanji Temple approach—one of Hamamatsu’s top sightseeing spots—Shibuki, a long-established unagi specialty restaurant founded in 1956, is the perfect place for families looking to enjoy delicious Unagi in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

In addition to unagi classics like Unaju and Unagi-don, the menu features a variety of dishes, including Shirasu-don (whitebait) and Ikura-don (salmon roe), offering something for everyone.

The restaurant is also well-equipped for families, with sunken kotatsu-style seating and chairs for small children—making it a welcoming and stress-free place to enjoy a meal with little ones.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at everything that makes “Shibuki,” a specialty unagi restaurant, so special.

What Kind of Place Is "Shibuki," the Unagi Specialty Restaurant?

“Shibuki,” the unagi specialty restaurant, is located on Kanzanji Temple’s approach street, right by the shores of Lake Hamana.

Kanzanji is one of Hamamatsu’s top sightseeing spots, offering something for everyone—from local cuisine and hot springs to amusement park fun for the whole family.

Kanzanji Temple’s approach street is a popular area lined with renowned unagi restaurants.

Among these well-loved restaurants, we spoke with Mr. Yamazaki, the second-generation owner of “Shibuki,” who has inherited the flavors and spirit of the shop where he was born and raised.

A Legacy of Passion and Tradition Passed Down Through Generations

The restaurant was founded in 1956.

The restaurant was named “Shibuki” by the founder with the hope that it would grow with the powerful energy of water splashing upward—just like the word suggests.

Shibuki’s unagi is known for its signature texture: crispy and fragrant on the outside, soft and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside.

This is the Kanto-style method, where the eel is first grilled and then steamed.

By carefully adjusting the grilling process, Shibuki achieves its signature flavor—light and delicate, yet rich in depth, with the natural character of the eel’s skin beautifully preserved.

If you want to fully enjoy the natural flavor of the eel itself, we recommend trying the shira-yaki—grilled without sauce.

The kabayaki sauce is a secret house blend that has been carefully preserved and enriched since the restaurant first opened

The sauce has a bold sweet-and-savory flavor with a hint of spice—so tasty, you’ll find yourself reaching for more rice without even thinking

Renowned manga artist Nishikaze, known for the series GT Roman, is also a fan of Shibuki.

On Instagram, he shared that he used to dislike eel—until he tried it here, and it became one of his favorite foods.

Inside the restaurant, you’ll even find a portrait of the owner—drawn by Nishikaze himself!

Creating a warm and welcoming space where families can relax with peace of mind.

The reason why Shibuki has been loved for so many years goes beyond just the flavor of its unagi.

One of the things that makes Shibuki so special is its thoughtful approach to creating a space where guests of all ages can feel comfortable—reflected in the renovations it has made over the years.

The interior, with its white-based color scheme, has a bright and elegant atmosphere.

Seasonal flowers were arranged throughout the restaurant, adding a cheerful touch to the atmosphere.

In addition to table seating, the restaurant offers horigotatsu-style seating—sunken floor tables ideal for families with young children—as well as high chairs, creating a comfortable and relaxing dining environment for all.

“During long holidays, our restaurant gets lively with many families dropping by on their way back from the amusement park, zoo, or hot springs,” says the owner with a smile.

It’s a place where you can enjoy high-quality unagi without any formality or fuss.

Recommended dishes include the “Nishoku Ko-don” (Two-Flavor Mini Rice Bowl) and the “Ohitsu-mabushi” set!

Some of the most popular dishes at Unagi Senmon-ten Shibuki include the Ohitsu-mabushi, Nishoku Ko-don (Two-Flavor Mini Bowl), and Tono-sama Gozen (The Lord’s Set Meal).

Each dish offers a unique way to enjoy unagi, and all have their own loyal fans.

This time, I went with the “Nishoku Ko-don” (Two-Flavor Mini Bowl), while my husband—who’s been living in Hamamatsu for eight years—chose the “Ohitsu-mabushi.”

We took our time enjoying the different styles of unagi and savoring what makes each one special—so let us tell you all about it!

Popular Dish #1: Nishoku Ko-don (Two-Flavor Mini Bowl)

If you want to enjoy both kabayaki (sauce-grilled) and shirayaki (plain-grilled) styles of unagi, the “Nishoku Ko-don” is a popular choice.

It’s a great-value dish that lets you enjoy two styles of unagi for just over 3,000 yen.

The meal arrived with two small bowls of unagi, a bowl of liver soup, and a small side dish.

Each time we lifted a lid, a new, delicious aroma wafted up.

I started with the shirayaki bowl.

The golden-brown sear on the surface looked absolutely delicious.

I took a bite of the unagi on its own—its skin was perfectly crisp, while the flesh was moist and tender.

The flesh gently fell apart on my tongue, with a clean yet richly layered flavor.

Next, I moved on to the kabayaki bowl.

As soon as I lifted the lid, a wave of sweet, savory aroma from the sauce rose into the air.

The moment I took a bite, the rich eel fat and sweet-savory sauce blended together beautifully—it was so delicious, I couldn’t help but smile.

Now, it’s time for a sprinkle of sansho pepper.

For many, unagi just isn’t complete without it.

At Shibuki, two types of sansho pepper are available: ground sansho and whole sansho seeds that you can grind yourself.

This time, I decided to try grinding the sansho myself.

A bite of eel with freshly ground sansho fills your mouth with flavor—and the refreshing aroma that rises through your nose is simply delightful.

It brought out the flavor of the eel and sauce even more.

If you’re a fan of sansho, be sure to give it a try.

This dish lets you enjoy both shira-yaki and kabayaki styles of unagi.

Since each portion came in a smaller bowl, I finished everything easily—and deliciously.

Popular Dish #2: Ohitsu-mabushi (Seasoned Grilled Eel over Rice)

My husband, who came along with me, chose the ohitsu-mabushi—it’s a fun dish where you can enjoy different flavors in one meal.

It arrived in a wooden ohitsu container, adding to the anticipation!

First, scoop some eel and rice into a small bowl and enjoy it as is.

For the second serving, add some condiments.

There’s a great variety of condiments too—like shiso leaves, sesame seeds, seaweed, and ume paste.

The sweetness of the sauce is toned down, allowing the aroma of the eel to shine through thanks to the added condiments.

My husband’s favorite was the refreshing combo of shiso and ume paste.

“The flavors were perfectly balanced with the eel—I felt like I could keep eating forever!” he said with a smile.

To finish, pour warm kombu broth over the eel and rice to enjoy it as ochazuke.

The gentle aroma of the dashi filled my mouth, and before I knew it, I had finished every last bite.

The sweet and savory aftertaste lingered in the mouth, accompanied by the gentle aroma of kombu broth—it left a pleasant finish.

I really appreciated the staff’s thoughtful service—they brought the broth at just the right moment so it wouldn’t cool down.

Plenty of Non-Eel Options, Too!

Shibuki also offers creative dishes like “Ohitsu-mabushi-style Raw Shirasu Bowl” and “Ohitsu-mabushi-style Ikura Bowl.”

For those arriving hungry, the menu also includes quickly served appetizers and unique sides like onsen tamago (hot spring egg) made with water from the Kanzanji Onsen source.

For smaller appetites, options like “Petit Mabushi,” “Mini Kaba-yaki Bowl,” and “Mini Shira-yaki Bowl” are available.

There’s even a kid-friendly unagi bowl called the “Chail-don.”

Good news for sake lovers—there’s a wide selection of local sake, ranging from sweet to dry.

Of course, beer and shochu are also available.

A visit to Shibuki is a great way to enjoy Hamamatsu’s famous unagi while making sure the whole family leaves happy.

Crowd Information – Unagi Senmon-ten Shibuki

We visited Shibuki on a weekend in June, arriving a little after 2:00 p.m.

Even at that time of day, there were still about three groups waiting in line.

Reservations are typically only accepted for the very first time slot when the restaurant opens, so if you’re planning to visit around lunchtime, it’s best to check in for a spot through EPARK via the official website before heading over.

Store Information: Shibuki – Unagi Specialty Restaurant

Address: 2252-1 Kanzanji-chō, Chūō-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Phone: 053-487-0153

Business Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00–15:00 / 18:00–20:30
※ Monday: Lunch only
Weekends & Holidays: 11:00–15:00 / 17:00–20:00
※ Open on public holidays

Closed: Wednesdays (Also occasionally closed on Thursdays. Monday: Lunch only)

Seating:
24 table seats
22 horigotatsu (sunken floor) seats

Reservations: Accepted via EPARK

Access & Parking:
By car: Approx. 5 minutes from Kanzanji Smart IC

By bus: From JR Hamamatsu Station, take the bus bound for Kanzanji Onsen.
Get off at “Kanzanji Onsen” bus stop and walk about 350 meters.

Parking: 16 on-site spaces + public parking available nearby

Official Website: https://shibuki.jp/

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unagi_shibuki/

There’s a private parking lot right next to the restaurant, and a public parking area nearby as well, so it’s very convenient for those arriving by car.

A cute local mascot called Unagi Jizō welcomes you at the parking lot.

Summary

If you’re looking to enjoy authentic unagi in a relaxed, family-friendly setting, Unagi Senmon-ten Shibuki in Kanzanji is the perfect place to visit.

The restaurant offers a family-friendly environment with horigotatsu (sunken-floor seating), smaller-sized rice bowls, and high chairs for children—perfect for a relaxing meal with the whole family.

A quality unagi dining experience without the formality—this charming restaurant in Kanzanji is perfect for a relaxed lunch during your Hamamatsu sightseeing or when you’re in the mood for a little treat.

Be sure to stop by!

Special thanks to Unagi Specialty Restaurant Shibuki.

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