On the third day of the Fukuoka small trip, I came to Yanagawa. Of course, I had to take a cruise and eat eel rice. These two must-dos in Yanagawa, although the unit prices are not low, they are also guava itineraries for tourists visiting Yanagawa. Actually saw the hand-cranked boatman. The hard work and the dedication of eel cooking will feel that it is worth it. If you can briefly understand the history and culture of Yanagawa beforehand, you will have a deeper experience.
About Yanagawa's eel rice
The water town Yanagawa is the birthplace of the famous Japanese literati Kitahara Hakuaki, and the birthplace of eel rice. Its history can be traced back to the Edo period. There are more than 20 eel restaurants in the Yanagawa area. The most famous is the 300-year-old ancestor Honyoshiya. You have to walk 1 kilometer from the West Railway Yanagawa Station. It is also a famous store in line. Those who make a special trip must be mentally prepared.
If you are taking a Yanagawa cruise, you can get on the boat from Matsuetsu Wharf, walk around the Yanagawa moat, and disembark at Okita Wharf. There are three famous eel and rice restaurants beside Wakamatsuya, Folk Art Tea House Rokuki, and Honyoshiya Okita Branch. We give priority to the way, and choose the well-known Wakamatsuya. If you buy various Yanagawa cruise packages sold by Nishi Railway, you will usually get a discount of 100 yen.
Extended reading ▶️《6 days 5 nights Fukuoka itinerary guide: a small-collared gourmet shopping theme trip"
Wakamatsuya's delicious eel rice
Wakamatsuya was opened in the Anzheng period (1854-1859). It follows the Yanagawa steamer eel rice cooking method. The rice is steamed warm and not dry. When the dish is served on the table and the lid is opened, you can feel the warmth of warmth and the exclusive sauce. Sauce-seasoned eel, served with Q-bomb rice, said that it was a taste of happiness. That is definitely not an exaggeration, let alone the atmosphere of enjoying with three or five friends!
Eel rice is usually divided into three types: pine, bamboo, and plum according to the amount of eel. The amount and price of eel are pine>bamboo>plum. When ordering, you can choose the amount of eel you want according to this classification. People who feel that the eel is too greasy. You can choose a smaller amount of bamboo or plum.Secondly, according to the number of side dishes and types, it can be divided into three types: banquet, set meal, and single item. The price and type are banquet>set meal>single item, which can be selected according to price acceptance.
In addition, eel and rice dishes can be divided into two types: Kabayaki and Unagidon. Kabayaki is a large slice of eel with plain white rice. The large slice of eel sauce is quite enough. When it is eaten, it is a piece of eel with a bite of white rice and prepare it by yourself; It is the small slices of eel plus the egg shreds and rice, the rice soaked in the sauce, and the small slices of eel and egg shreds, have been mixed together, and you can eat it directly.
Wendy is a person who likes richness but doesn't like being too greasy, so choose the eel don banquet, all kinds of eel ingredients can be tasted, the amount of eel is just right, suitable for people who like to try more; as for Anya, it is a heavy taste and Those who want to eat eel exclusively, choose the Matsuba-yaki eel rice set meal, which offers five large slices of eel, served with white rice until you are full, suitable for those who are not afraid of eating too much greasy eel.
▲ The main hall of the restaurant was full of people, and we were directed to the enlarged dining area at the rear, which was much quieter.
▲ The enlarged dining area at the rear is built around a Japanese-style landscaping. Instead of adding a few more tables, it sacrifices the quality of the dining environment.
▲ In addition to the main Kabayaki eel rice, there are also sukiyaki eel dishes.
▲ The service staff will provide a tea reception before the table starts to order.
▲ Unagi don banquet cuisine, with many side dishes combined with eel ingredients. Although the amount of eel is not large, it is the most versatile and complete eel rice dish.
▲ Unagi (grilled eel takoyaki), egg rolls wrapped in eel and fried, another way to enjoy eel dishes.
▲ Eel ざく (eel mixed with sweet vinegar and cucumber), you can also enjoy the appetizer of eel.
▲ Gan Sui (eel liver soup), a refreshing and sweet eel soup dish, an eel ingredient is used to the extreme!
▲ The rice in the unagi banquet is directly processed with sauce. Small pieces of eel are matched with the rice, which is not too greasy. Wendy personally likes this kind of just right.
▲ This is a parent-child don, not everyone can accept eel rice dishes, this is an alternative choice.
▲ Xiaodon eel rice, the rice is also processed with sauce first.
▲ Bamboo set meal eel rice with three slices of eel.
▲ Delicious and heart-warming eel rice, with the atmosphere of a group of friends dining, this is the best seasoning.
▲ Matsushita Kabayaki eel rice, you can simply enjoy five large slices of eel, the large slices of eel sauce is enough, so white rice that is not soaked in sauce is used.
▲ In front of Wakamatsuya is the pick-up point for the free shuttle bus, and it is easy to return to the station.
Transportation: How to get to Yanagawa Wakamatsuya
The railway line to Yanagawa is to take the Nishi Railway Tenjin Omuta Line. After getting off at the Nishi Railway Yanagawa Station, transfer to the Nishi Railway Bus or take a boat. It is very convenient if you live in a hotel near Fukuoka Tenjin Station.If you take JR, you have to get off at Settaka Station and transfer to Horikawa Bus to Nishi Railway Yanagawa Station, and then transfer to Nishi Railway Bus or take a boat.
Klook.Itinerary reservation:Dazaifu Yanagawa One Day Tour|Yanagawa Cruise.Tasting Yame tea
▲ In front of the entrance of Wakamatsuya store is the Okita Wharf where the Yanagawa cruise ship disembarks, and the free shuttle bus for the return journey is also boarded here.
▲ If you have enough feet and do not want to take a boat, you can also walk slowly along the Yanagawa Waterway.
▲ In front of Wakamatsuya is the cruise ship terminal and the shuttle bus stop. The itinerary is very convenient for the Yanagawa cruise ship.
◎ Yanagawa Wakamatsuya Unagi Rice
– Address: 〒832-0065 26 Okitacho, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
– Phone: +81 944-72-3163
– Business hours: 11:00-20:00, closed on Wednesday
– Website: http://ww22.tiki.ne.jp/~wakamatuya/
