On October 11, 2025, we discovered one of Nagano’s best-kept culinary secrets: Honda, an exceptional unagi (eel) restaurant in Iiyama City. If you’re visiting Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort or Madarao Kogen, this is your perfect opportunity to experience authentic Japanese unagi prepared in the traditional Kanto style with steaming technique. The result? Incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth eel that will leave you speechless.
Why Unagi is a Must-Try Japanese Experience
For international visitors to the Nozawa Onsen and Madarao area, trying authentic unagi (Japanese freshwater eel) is an essential culinary experience. Unagi is considered one of Japan’s most refined and luxurious dishes, deeply rooted in Japanese food culture for centuries.
What makes Japanese unagi special:
- Traditional preparation: The eel is butterflied, skewered, grilled over charcoal, steamed (Kanto style), then grilled again with a secret sweet soy-based sauce (tare)
- Nutritional powerhouse: Rich in vitamins A, B, and E, unagi is traditionally eaten in summer for stamina but enjoyed year-round
- Cultural significance: Unagi restaurants often have recipes and sauces passed down through generations
Perfect timing for your visit: Iiyama is conveniently located between Nozawa Onsen and Madarao Kogen, making Honda an ideal lunch or dinner stop during your ski trip or Nagano exploration.
Visual Perfection: The Golden Glazed Masterpiece
The moment the lacquer box lid was lifted, I was captivated by the golden-brown unagi glistening with glaze.
The surface was beautifully caramelized with sweet-savory tare sauce, showcasing perfectly executed grill marks. The glossy sheen was irresistible.
Presented in a traditional red lacquer box atop pristine white rice, the arrangement looked like edible art—a testament to Japanese culinary aesthetics.
The Secret: Traditional Steaming for Ultimate Tenderness
Honda’s greatest strength lies in its traditional Kanto-style steaming technique.
This method involves grilling the eel first, then steaming it to remove excess fat while achieving impossibly tender texture. The moment I picked it up with chopsticks, I was amazed by how soft it was.
In your mouth, the eel literally melts like butter, releasing elegant umami flavors that blend perfectly with the sweet-savory tare sauce.
Perfect Trinity: Eel, Rice, and Tare Sauce
What makes Honda’s unagi-ju extraordinary is the perfect harmony of three elements:
- Fluffy rice: Perfectly cooked with ideal stickiness and subtle sweetness, complementing the eel beautifully
- Aromatic unagi: Tender from steaming yet retaining smoky char from grilling—the best of both worlds
- Rich tare sauce: Perfectly balanced sweetness and depth, binding the rice and eel into one cohesive experience
Each bite showcases this trinity. The tare soaks into the rice, merging with the eel’s umami to create pure bliss in your mouth.
Thoughtful Accompaniments
The set includes miso soup and pickles.
The clear soup features mitsuba (Japanese parsley) and clams, offering a light, refreshing palate cleanser that balances the richness of the eel perfectly.
Hakusai pickles (Chinese cabbage pickles) provide simple yet bright acidity that cuts through the eel’s fat. An excellent palate refresher between bites.
Traditional Ambiance
The chopstick wrapper features “Honda” in traditional brush calligraphy, evoking heritage and craftsmanship.
Light wood tables, simple yet elegant tableware—everything reflects the dedication to serving unagi, Japan’s most traditional delicacy, with proper respect.
To enjoy such authentic unagi in Iiyama is truly a luxurious experience.
Perfect Stop Between Nozawa Onsen & Madarao
Location advantage: Iiyama is perfectly positioned between Nozawa Onsen Ski Resort and Madarao Kogen, making Honda an ideal meal stop.
Sample itineraries:
- Morning skiing at Nozawa Onsen → (20 min drive) → Lunch at Honda → Continue to Madarao or return home
- Day trip to Madarao Kogen → (15 min drive) → Dinner at Honda → (30 min) → Back to accommodation
- Multi-resort tour → Combine with other Iiyama restaurants like Kuidaore Satomi or Nishinochaya
Why visit Honda after skiing:
- Warm, comforting meal perfect after cold outdoor activities
- High-quality protein and nutrients to replenish energy
- Authentic Japanese culinary experience to complement your Nagano adventure
- Convenient location on your route
Summary: Must-Visit Iiyama Culinary Gem
Honda’s unagi-ju exceeded all expectations with its extraordinary quality.
Why Honda is unmissable:
- 🥢 Traditional steaming method: Ultimate fluffy-tender texture
- ✨ Perfect trinity: Eel, rice, and tare in flawless harmony
- 🍵 Thoughtful accompaniments: Soup and pickles for balanced dining
- 🏮 Traditional atmosphere: Relaxed space for luxurious experience
- 🗺️ Convenient location: Perfect stop between Nozawa Onsen & Madarao
For international visitors: If you’re skiing at Nozawa Onsen or Madarao Kogen, don’t miss this chance to experience authentic Japanese unagi. This is a dish you simply cannot find elsewhere in the world—the steaming technique, generations-old tare sauce, and meticulous preparation make it uniquely Japanese. Honda offers the perfect introduction to this culinary tradition.
When visiting Iiyama, Nozawa Onsen, or Madarao area, make sure to experience Honda’s unagi-ju. The Kanto-style steamed eel combined with perfectly balanced tare and rice will create memories that last long after your Nagano adventure ends!
Visit Date: October 11, 2025
Restaurant: Honda
Location: Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture
Satisfaction: ★★★★★
Recommended For: Nozawa Onsen & Madarao visitors, unagi lovers, Japanese food enthusiasts
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