Hosakaya

Restaurant Details

With only counter-seats and a stubbornly weathered look decked with Showa-era decor, Hosakaya is not here to impress anyone. Although, with the consistent line forming on its storefront and the constant heave of diners coming in and out, brushing elbows on its compact, U-shaped counter, it doesn’t need to. The restaurant has been operating for more than 70 years, staking its claim as a permanent fixture to Jiyugaoka’s thriving dining scene.

The star of the show is unagi — and that’s all there is. With a no-frills menu dedicated solely to the Japanese eel, Hosakaya’s mastery is evident. As the saying goes, it takes a lifetime to perfect the art of grilling unagi, and here, the fish is expertly chargrilled over charcoal. Diners can enjoy it in a classic unadon, served over rice.

But the word of advice is to sample their eel skewers, too. With an izakaya twist, where yakitori is usually the star, Hosakaya offers unagi skewers seasoned with salt, or featuring various parts of the eel. Hireyaki includes offcuts like the fins and tails, while skewers of its rich, tender livers offer a bold and flavorful option.

Prices are affordable, and the atmosphere is family-run and straightforward, focused solely on serving the best unagi. It’s the quintessential neighborhood eatery that all neighborhoods need.