Unagi in Asakusa: choosing Komagata Maekawa or Asakusa Unatetsu

Once you have decided to eat eel in Asakusa, the next step is to think about what time you would like to eat rather than which restaurant is the best. The way you choose will depend on whether you want to eat slowly along the river or enjoy the hitsumabushi style.

Here we will introduce two stores where you can check official information. This is a guide that lets you choose based on conditions such as cuisine, location, reservation, and price, rather than a taste rating based on visits and tastings.

If you are thinking of eating by the river, try Komagata Maekawa Asakusa main restaurant

Komagata Maekawa's Asakusa main store is located at 2-1-29 Komagata, Taito-ku. According to the official access guide, it is a 1-minute walk from Exit A2 of Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line, and a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line. The exit will be different depending on the route you use, so be sure to save not only the store name but also the address on the map.¹

Consider this option when you want to enjoy unaju as a full meal and take your time over it. The restaurant is described as facing the river, but the view is not necessarily the same from every seat. If the view or seating matters to you, ask when booking.²

According to the official menu at the time of confirmation, the specially selected domestically farmed eel unaju starts at 6,300 yen. It includes soup, fresh incense, and sweetness. kabayaki has both meals and individual items, so if you want to eat it with rice, check the order section.²

For Maekawa, check conditions other than the listed price.

At the Asakusa main store, there is a notice that a 10% service charge will be added to the displayed price for food and drinks eaten after 4 p.m. Private rooms have different terms and conditions, so don't expect to pay the same as regular seats. When making a reservation, it is best to check not only the cost of the meal, but also the total amount required for the desired time and seat.²

The store will ask you to take off your shoes at the entrance. This can be confirmed in the store information, but it is best to discuss the actual number of passengers and conditions, including the ease of seating and where to store large luggage. Business hours are listed as 11:30-21:00, with last order at 20:30.²

It will be easier to plan if you think of it as a candidate for planning a walk around reservations and meals, rather than just a quick bite to eat while sightseeing in Asakusa.

If you are interested in changing the way you eat, Asakusa Unatetsu Asakusa Station main restaurant

Asakusa Unatetsu's main store in front of Asakusa Station is located at 1-2-11 Hanakawado, Taito-ku. According to the official information, it is about a 1-minute walk from Exit 5 of Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line. Make sure to check the branch name "Asakusa Ekimae Main Branch" before heading there.³

Culinary choices include unaju, as well as Asakusa hitsumabushi and Shio hitsumabushi. On the official menu at the time of confirmation, Asakusa hitsumabushi's 0.8 fish per person is listed as 4,970 yen, and Salt hitsumabushi's 0.8 fish per person is listed as 5,180 yen. The key is to look at the name and the number of pieces, as not all dishes contain the same amount.⁴

hitsumabushi is a candidate for people who are interested in ways to enjoy food by portioning it out or adding condiments and soup stock. Please follow the store's instructions on how to use the food provided. Nutritional judgments such as ``It's healthy because it's salt'' or ``It's lighter than regular unaju'' cannot be made based on the name alone.

You can't mistake it for the Kokusai Street store.

Asakusa Unatetsu's Kokusai Street store has been notified that it will be closed for the time being from September 1, 2026. As of the online confirmation on September 28, 2026, based on that guidance, the Asakusa Ekimae Main Store is the recommended visit for this guide. We are not making any guesses about the reopening date.⁵

The posted business hours of the main store in front of the station are 11:00-21:00, last order is 20:30. Please check the official information for closed days. Even if multiple stores with the same name appear on the map service, the last thing to do is to check that the reservation location, address, and destination are all at the same branch.³

If it's your first time, choose only three things before booking.

The first is the food you want to eat. Do you want to eat unaju or try hitsumabushi? The second is the number of people and quantity. The third thing to consider is whether to eat before or after your walk.

If the dish names are unfamiliar, read the unagi ordering guide first. The dishes and seating available with a reservation may differ from the regular menu. A fully booked online calendar does not necessarily tell you whether walk-in seats are available; contact the restaurant if needed.

Sensoji Temple tour and don't let food compete

For half a day in Asakusa, it can help to fix your restaurant reservation first, then allow time for the temple visit and the walk. Minimum walking times do not include stops at Nakamise or time spent taking photographs.

Choose whether to visit Sensoji Temple before or after your meal, leaving enough time to enjoy both. If you have time and energy after eating, walk a little further. A flexible plan can make unagi one of the pleasures of your day in Asakusa.

Check the source/official information (5 items)

1. Komagata Maekawa "Komagata Maekawa: Access". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

2. Komagata Maekawa "Komagata Maekawa: Asakusa main store". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

3. Asakusa Unatetsu "Asakusa Unatetsu: Store Information". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

4. Asakusa Unatetsu "Asakusa Unatetsu: Menu". Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩

5. Asakusa Unatetsu "Asakusa Unatetsu Kokusai Street store: Notice of closure." Check official information . Online confirmation: September 28, 2026.↩