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A beloved eel restaurant in Utsunomiya, cherished for over 40 years. Enjoy the simple hospitality and timeless traditional flavors.

When it comes to eel in Utsunomiya, the first name that comes to mind is the long-established "Kawase." With over 40 years of history, this restaurant has seen an increase in visitors not only from th...e local area but also from afar. However, the simple hospitality and the traditional flavors passed down through generations remain unchanged. Eel is prepared fresh each morning, and the meticulous process of preparation has stayed true to its roots. The pride of skilled artisans shines through in the eel served at "Kawase." Be sure to savor its delicate texture and rich flavors!

Specialities

Chef

Junichi Maruta - A Young Craftsman Inheriting the Taste of a Long-established Tradition

Food

The Secret of a Flavor That Continues to Be Loved: Masterful Techniques and Attention to Detail

Space

A Renowned Shop that Blends into the Town's Scenery: A Traditional and Relaxed Space Welcoming Guests

Photos

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Review？

Jerid

Review 3,247 postsFollowers 2,284 people

Delicious Unaju Matsukawa

This eel restaurant in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, has been in business for over 40 ye...View details

Visited on June, 2025

1 time
毎晩酔っ払い

Review 487 postsFollowers 156 people

Renowned Unagi Restaurant in Utsunomiya

During a business trip to Utsunomiya, I searched for delicious eel and found this restaura...View details

Visited on November, 2024

1 time
【孤独のグルメ365日】

Review 708 postsFollowers 1,127 people

[Top 100 Eel Restaurants @ Utsunomiy...

A must-visit restaurant for eel enthusiasts in Utsunomiya. They prepare live eels in the ...View details

Visited on November, 2024

1 time

View more reviews （515）

Restaurant information

Details

Restaurant name	Kawasemi（Kawasemi）
Awards & Recognitions	The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2018 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2018 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2017 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2017 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2019 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2019 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2018 Selected for Tabelog Unagi "Tabelog 100" 2018 受賞・選出歴閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2020年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2020 Bronze 受賞店 2019年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2019 Bronze 受賞店 2018年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2018 Bronze 受賞店 2017年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2017 Bronze 受賞店百名店選出歴うなぎ百名店 2024 選出店食べログうなぎ百名店 2024 選出店うなぎ百名店 2022 選出店食べログうなぎ百名店 2022 選出店うなぎ百名店 2019 選出店食べログうなぎ百名店 2019 選出店うなぎ百名店 2018 選出店食べログうなぎ百名店 2018 選出店
Categories	Unagi (Eel), Japanese Cuisine, Izakaya (Tavern)
Phone number (for reservation and inquiry)	028-625-5483
Reservation availability	Reservations available 鰻弁当電話予約可能です。
Address	栃木県宇都宮市大通り5-1-19 Show larger mapFind nearby restaurants
Transportation	It is about a 15-minute walk from the west exit of JR Utsunomiya Station. It is about a 17-minute walk from Tobu Utsunomiya Station. Turn at Utsunomiya Memorial Hospital and go about 200 meters. 617 meters from Utsunomiya.
Business hours	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 11:30 - 13:30 17:00 - 22:00 Sat 17:00 - 22:00 Sun, Public Holiday Closed Hours and closed days may change, so please check with the restaurant before visiting.
Average price	JPY 3,000 - JPY 3,999 JPY 3,000 - JPY 3,999
Average price（Based on reviews）	JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999 View spending breakdown
Payment methods	Credit cards not accepted Electronic money not accepted QR code payments not accepted
Service charge & fee	なし

Seats/facilities

Number of seats	25 seats （ 1st floor: 6 counter seats, 1 table seating for 4 people 2nd floor: 2 tatami rooms）
Private rooms	Available
Private use	Available For up to 20 people
Non-smoking/smoking	Non smoking
Parking	Available If you use the parking lot with the yellow sign, you will receive a service voucher.
Space/facilities	Relaxing space, Counter seating, Tatami room

Feature - Related information

Occasion	Friends This occasion is recommended by many people.
Location	Hideout, A house restaurant
Service	Parties over 2.5 hours, Take-out
Family friendly	Not available for elementary school students or younger
Website	http://www.tochinavi.net/spot/home/index.shtml?id=2856

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028-625-5483

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ChefJunichi Maruta - A Young Craftsman Inheriting the Taste of a Long-established Tradition

Born in 1978 in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture. The restaurant "Kawazemi" was started by my parents along with my uncle and grandmother when I was young. I moved to Tokyo at 18, and after graduating from university, I trained at an eel restaurant in the city. Additionally, I honed my skills as a chef for eight years at the kaiseki restaurant "Toratatsuma." I returned to "Kawazemi," my family’s restaurant, at the age of 35. Since its founding, "Kawazemi" has served not only eel but also other types of fish, and my training experience at a kaiseki restaurant has been beneficial here as well. Now, I spend my days as a central figure in the restaurant, carrying on the traditional flavors of this long-established establishment.

Food The Secret of a Flavor That Continues to Be Loved: Masterful Techniques and Attention to Detail

The eel used is sourced from Yoshida, Shizuoka Prefecture since the establishment of the restaurant. Only the amount needed for that day's service is prepared in the morning. The cooking method incorporates steaming between grilling, which is characteristic of the Kanto style. The flesh is firm yet tender, and it does not break even when lifted with chopsticks. The fat content is exquisite, allowing for a full appreciation of the eel's natural flavor in the white grilled version. The sauce used for the kabayaki is made solely from soy sauce and mirin. The deep flavor developed over many years is a hallmark of a long-established restaurant. The rice is also cooked with consideration for how it will absorb the sauce, reflecting the restaurant's attention to detail throughout.

SpaceA Renowned Shop that Blends into the Town's Scenery: A Traditional and Relaxed Space Welcoming Guests

About a 15-minute walk from Utsunomiya Station. The traditional appearance of the shop naturally blends into the town's scenery. As you pass through the dark blue noren (fabric curtain), you are welcomed into a relaxed, old-fashioned space. The atmosphere is not at all intimidating, but you can feel the history of the shop in the Edo-period sign displayed above the counter and the well-used chairs and tables. Many regulars enjoy delicious eel dishes paired with drinks in the evening. The friendly personalities of Mr. Maruta and the proprietress are also charming, giving the place a character that makes you want to call it a "local gem."