Delicious Grilled Eel at Inakaan, a Long-Established Unagi Restaurant Near Kokura Station

Inakaan kokura

The other day, I had a reason to be around Kokura Station in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka. Since I was there, I decided to look for something delicious nearby—and came across a famous grilled eel (unagi) restaurant called Inakaan.


I had just recently eaten hitsumabushi at Atsuta Houraiken in Nagoya, but when it comes to good food, you have to seize the moment!

So off I went to try it.

Inakaan — a long-standing unagi restaurant just 5 minutes from Kokura Station

The exterior shows its long history and feels quite refined.
It’s about a 5-minute walk from JR Kokura Station.

Traditional exterior of Inakaan, showing its long history

Inside the restaurant. The service was also very attentive.

Inside the restaurant with proper hospitality

Elegant interior of Inakaan

Once seated, they brought out the menu, tea, a wet towel, and for some reason—a newspaper.

Menu, tea, towel, and a newspaper set at the table

There was a certificate on the menu indicating the rice used.
It said they used brand new Koshihikari rice from Ishikawa Prefecture, tested for cesium.

Certificate showing the rice quality and safety

Here’s the main menu.
Of course, I had to go for the Unajū (grilled eel over rice in a lacquer box). I ordered the “Take” size for 3,100 yen.

Main menu featuring unajū

There was also a separate menu for wild-caught eel. As expected, it was a notch pricier.

Menu offering wild-caught eel dishes

Crispy outside, fluffy inside—unajū done perfectly

It’s here! This is their unajū.

Beautifully presented unajū

Opening the lacquer box lid…

It’s eel! Glorious eel!

Opening the box reveals delicious grilled eel

Perfectly grilled with a savory aroma from the sauce—it really gets your appetite going.

Grilled eel with a beautifully caramelized glaze

Of course, it came with kimosui (clear soup with eel liver).

Clear soup with eel liver served alongside

Time to dig in!

Enjoying every bite of the grilled eel

Up until now, most eel I’ve had was soft inside and out, but here it’s crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Absolutely delicious!

Apparently the wild-caught eel is even better

Reading some reviews later, I found out that the wild-caught eel here is on a whole other level.
It’s a bit pricier, but next time I’ll definitely try it.

If you’re around Kokura Station and want to splurge a little on something truly tasty, this place is highly recommended.

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