How long should you spend at Houraiken?

Visitors typically stay for 1-2 hours.

When is the best time to visit Houraiken?

To avoid the longest queues, consider visiting in the evening, as one reviewer noted a shorter wait on a Tuesday evening.

Houraiken

Name: Houraiken
Address: 503 Gōdochō, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-0043, Japan, Nagoya, JP
Telephone: +81 52-671-8686

Seafood RestaurantJapanese RestaurantRestaurant

4.4

(7.3k)

Houraiken is a well-established, historical Japanese restaurant in Nagoya, famous for its unagi (eel) dishes, especially hitsumabushi. They serve generous portions of grilled eel and rice in a traditional setting.

Address

503 Gōdochō, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-0043, Japan

Website

http://www.houraiken.com/honten/

Opening Hours

11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 8:30 PM (Thu)

Phone

+81 52-671-8686

Explore nearby

Worth it?

Worth it for the exceptional unagi if you're prepared for a potentially long wait

Skip if you're on a tight schedule or prefer a quiet, intimate meal

Reviewers consistently praise the delicious hitsumabushi, unagi don, and uma-ki, noting the generous portions of eel.5 mentions

The restaurant offers convenient parking and the option to make reservations, which helps manage the long wait times.5 mentions

The wait time can be very long, sometimes exceeding two hours, even if you arrive before opening.3 mentions

One reviewer found the service cold and unfriendly, and the food not as advertised in photos.1 mention

Location

503 Gōdochō, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-0043, Japan

Nearby places

Atsuta-jingu Shrine

10 min walk

Highlights

The hitsumabushi is served with instructions on how to eat it three different ways, including with extra seasonings or dashi broth.

Who it's for

Good for groups

Groups

Friends

Couples

No wheelchair entrance

Accessible restroom

No accessible parking

Accessible seating

No dogs

Free parking

Cards accepted

Dine-in

Takeout

Takes reservations

This spot is for serious foodies and groups willing to wait for a traditional, high-quality unagi experience. It's not ideal for families with young children due to the lack of specific amenities.

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Stays Places Eats

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Places

Know before you go

The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

While reservations are possible, many reviewers suggest arriving early to put your name on a list and then visiting nearby Atsuta Jingu or a cafe to pass the time.

Reviews

4.4

Very good

5 Reviews

Most reviewers rave about the delicious unagi dishes, particularly the hitsumabushi, and appreciate the traditional atmosphere and attentive service. The main drawback is the often lengthy wait, though the option to reserve or put your name down and explore nearby attractions helps.