Plate Shop Fukuryu

[Enjoy “Unamusu Lunch” in a historic building]

Founded in the Kyoho era in the mid-Edo period, the restaurant originally ran a money exchange business for the Yanagawa domain. In the Meiji era, it became an inn, and began serving food from that time. Inside the restaurant, there are displays of the scales and signboards from the time of the money exchange business, as well as old Hina dolls that have been passed down in the family. “I am the 10th generation owner, and the third generation since we started the restaurant business,” says the president. The restaurant’s building has a dignified impression that evokes history, with parts remaining from the Edo period and extensions and renovations made during the Taisho and Showa periods. The film “Haishi” (1983, directed by Obayashi Nobuhiko), a film adaptation of Fukunaga Takehiko’s novel set in Yanagawa, was also shot in this building.

Currently, this famous restaurant is known for its bamboo steamed rice balls, “unamusu,” which have been certified as a Yanagawa Brand 2020. “unamusu” is made by wrapping eel in bamboo steamed rice and hand-rolling it with nori seaweed from the Ariake Sea. It is recommended to eat it as part of the “unamusu lunch meal,” which is only available during weekday lunchtime. It comes with salad and coffee, making it a very luxurious meal. The Yanagawa staple, “steamed eel in a bamboo steamer,” is also said to be popular. There are table seats and private rooms available overlooking the courtyard.

As we headed towards the banquet hall for large groups at the back of the restaurant, we were greeted at the entrance by stained glass depicting crabs and rabbits, based on the song “Awate Tokoya” (The Barber in a Hurry), written by Kitahara Hakushu. The banquet hall, which has a high ceiling and was renovated from a storehouse, is furnished with folk art-style furniture and even has a piano where concerts are sometimes held. It’s a wonderful place to spend some time reflecting on the weight of history.