Unagi Restaurant SAKUYA — Restaurant in Fujiyoshida

A Sizzling Culinary Gem at Unagi Sakuya – Fujisan’s Finest!

As six gaijin (foreigners) traveling through Japan, we discovered Unagi Sakuya in Fujioshita, nestled at the base of Fujisan (Mount Fuji), and it was love at first bite! This charming restaurant turned a dinner into a culinary adventure we’ll never forget.

The highlight? A sizzling beef cutlet (katsuretsu) we cooked ourselves ishiyaki-style on a hot stone at our table! The high-quality beef, sourced locally, sizzled and caramelized as we seared it to our liking, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. We also shared the unagi no kabayaki (grilled eel), already cooked to perfection with a glossy tare. Sourced from Lake Hamana, the unagi was tender, flaky, and bursting with umami, elevated by a sprinkle of sansho (Japanese pepper) for a zesty kick. For six gaijin new to eel, it was a revelation—“This is unreal!” one of us shouted.

At ¥3,500 per person, it was worth every yen. Unagi Sakuya is a must-visit near Fujioshita—This was more than a meal; it was a love letter to Japanese cuisine with a Fujisan backdrop. Domo...

A place catered mainly to tourists with English menus and a service staff who guides you on Japanese mannerism when partaking meals.

The food is reasonably priced but do manage your expectations. This is not the place to get top notch quality but a standard meal.

Service, nice staff but slightly odd. I appreciate the blessed 5 yen for a review. But he was just standing there while waiting for me to finish my review 😂 Talk about pressure man.

For atmosphere, a simple place with tables that are nicely distanced from each other. I do wish they improve the ventilation as the smoke accumulates fast while cooking the beef cutlets. We left the place smelling smoky for the rest of the day.

I’d recommend for tourists to visit but this will be a one-time...

We arrived at 6:30 PM and the shop was ready to close. They were kind enough to allow us to enjoy dinner. Service and food were above and beyond. Truly could tell they take pride in their work.

Ordered the Hitsumabushi eel meal and the 150 g beef cutlet set. I enjoyed the informational sheets in English that explained how to properly enjoy the meal while pa Ying respect to the local traditions.

Service was amazing, so friendly and welcoming. Even was nice enough to take a picture of us for our memories.

The hitsumabushi eel meal was delicious. The beef cutlet set was so tender and juicy. Highly recommend this restaurant for all.

They just opened last week. Wishing them a long and...