More About Japan 
Karatsu City is located in the northwestern part of Saga Prefecture. It is the second largest city in the prefecture, known for attractions like squid from Yobuko, the Karatsu Kunchi Festival, Karatsu Castle, and Karatsu ware.
Thanks to the direct JR Chikuhi Line, which connects to the Fukuoka City Subway, Karatsu is very accessible from central Fukuoka. It takes just over an hour from Tenjin Station to Karatsu Station.
During my visit to Karatsu, I had lunch at a historic eel restaurant called Takeya, established in 1877.
While searching for a good lunch spot during my trip, I stumbled upon this place—and I’m so glad I did. The eel here was outstanding.
Perfectly grilled with a crisp texture and fluffy inside, the eel matched wonderfully with the rice soaked in their secret dashi broth. It might just be the best grilled eel I’ve ever had.
If you’re ever visiting this area, I highly recommend checking out this gem!
Access and Basic Information for Takeya
Takeya is a renowned eel restaurant in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, located about a 6-minute walk from JR Karatsu Station.
From Tenjin in Fukuoka, you can reach Takeya in about 1 hour and 15 minutes if you’re lucky enough to catch a direct train to Nishi-Karatsu. Even if a transfer at Meinohama is needed, the trip takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
【Takeya Basic Information】
| Name | Takeya |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0955-73-3244 |
| Address | 1884-2 Nakamachi, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture |
| Hours | Mon–Sat: 11:30–19:00 Sun & Holidays: 11:30–18:30 |
| Closed | Wednesdays and 3rd Thursdays |
| Web | Karatsu Tourism: Takeya on Karatsu Tourism site Saga “Must-Preserve Shops”: Takeya |
Takeya’s Historic Taisho-Era Architecture
After a short walk from JR Karatsu Station, we arrived at Takeya.
Amid the charming streets of Karatsu, the striking Taisho-era façade of the restaurant immediately stood out.
Inside, the atmosphere of a classic Japanese home was incredibly cozy. I wanted to explore every corner, but I held back out of courtesy.
Since we were traveling with a baby, we called ahead and were warmly welcomed. They guided us to a private room perfect for families. In fact, all seating might be semi-private or fully private.
*Note: The photo below was taken after our meal. The room was perfectly tidy when we arrived, so no worries there.
Here’s the menu. Eel bowls range from 4 pieces for ¥2,610 to 8 pieces for ¥4,810. Other options include eel set meals and grilled eel without sauce (shirayaki). (As of September 2022)
We went with the 6-piece eel bowl.
Crispy Eel and Dashi-Infused Rice—A Perfect Match
The eel bowl arrived in a beautiful lacquered container that evoked tradition. It came with pickles on the side.
Opening the lid revealed perfectly grilled eel with a color that instantly stimulates the appetite. It was one of the most delicious-looking dishes I’ve ever seen.
Grilled directly over charcoal without steaming, the eel was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—absolutely delicious.
Another standout was the rice made from locally grown Saga Koshihikari.
Unlike typical eel rice bowls where the sauce only coats some of the rice, the rice at Takeya is soaked in dashi, so every bite is flavorful.
It reminded me of dishes like takikomi-gohan or zosui. I’d say “dashi-soaked rice” deserves its own category—it works wonderfully.
Both the atmosphere and the food left a lasting impression. The staff were incredibly kind, and everything was perfect. Thank you for the fantastic meal!
Summary: Why Takeya’s Eel Bowl in Karatsu Is a Must-Try
I’ve had eel in many places, but Takeya in Karatsu is now a top contender for my all-time favorite.
Saga also has many other great attractions—famous squid from Yobuko, Saga beef, Ureshino and Takeo hot springs, and pottery towns.
If you’re traveling in Saga, make sure to try Takeya’s eel—it’s an experience you won’t forget!
