Takashimaya Honten
高嶋家 本店

The renowned eel specialty restaurant Takashimaya was established in 1875.

The eel is grilled with a secret sauce and is exceptionally tender. It is said that even the brother of the Last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty would dine there upon every visit to Japan.

The 5th generation and current owner, Akira Oshio, hails from a lineage of ancestors who were sumo wrestlers. Much like his ancestors who preserved the tradition of Japan’s national spot of sumo over the ages, Mr. Oshio’s goal is to preserve the tradition of the restaurant while embracing new challenges that lie ahead.

Takashimaya uses the elusive Kyosui Unagi caught in the Oi River in Shizuoka, which is also called “the phantom eel”. This rare type of eel is known for its fluffy texture, refined aroma and a delicate taste and is only available in about 30 eel restaurants nationwide and is highly sought after by all unagi fans.

Takashimaya is located in the district of Kobunacho.

A famous feature of Asakusa Senso-ji Temple is the Kaminarimon and just beyond it lies the prominent Hozomon on which a large lantern that reads “Kobunacho” hangs. In 1657, residents of Kobunacho dedicated this lantern to Senso-ji Temple as a testament of their faith and it has been there as one of the symbols of the Temple ever since. Smaller lanterns identical to this large lantern inscribed with “Kobunacho” hang inside the restaurant of Takashimaya Honten.

Asakusa Senso-ji Temple, the world-renowned symbol of Asakusa, and Kobunacho in Nihonbashi share these deep historical connections.

We recommend that you savor the eel at Takashimaya Honten after visiting Senso-ji Temple and experience the shared history between these two iconic locations.