Rin: Charcoal-Grilled Unagi Specialist

Rin (麟) is a restaurant in Hamamatsu with a single-minded devotion to unagi (freshwater eel). The experience is built around the theatre of live preparation, with each eel skewered and grilled to order over charcoal right before your eyes. The chefs employ a hybrid grilling style, sometimes steaming the eel in the Kantō tradition, sometimes grilling it directly in the Kansai style, adapting the technique to bring out the best in each fish. The rice, a high-grade Koshihikari, is cooked in a traditional hagama pot, providing a perfect base for the eel.

Guests consistently praise the signature texture of the unagi: a perfectly crisp, charred skin giving way to a fluffy, fatty, and tender interior. The special 浜名湖でしこ鰻 (Hamanako Deshiko Unagi) donburi, which reviewers recently paid around ¥7,000 for, is a frequent highlight. Many also recommend the shirayaki (white-grilled eel without sauce, half portion ≈ ¥2,500–¥3,000) to appreciate the pure flavour of the fish. The tare sauce is noted for its elegant restraint, enhancing the eel without being overly sweet or cloying. Dinner courses can range from ¥13,000 to over ¥22,000, while lunch sets offer excellent value, with a typical spend of ¥6,000–¥8,000.

While the food receives near-universal acclaim, some practical points are worth noting. The counter seating offers the best view but can get very smoky, especially in summer, with some visitors reporting eye irritation and smells clinging to clothes. A minority of diners have noted occasional inconsistencies since a change in head chef. Service is described as efficient and functional rather than luxurious.

• Getting There: Rin is a 7–8 minute walk from Hamamatsu Station, or about 3 minutes from Shin-Hamamatsu Station.
• Booking: Reservations are mandatory and must be made online via the OMAKASE platform well in advance. The restaurant is reservation-only and does not accept walk-ins. Changes to the number of guests after booking are not permitted.
• Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted. An online booking fee is charged separately by OMAKASE.
• Seating: The restaurant has 16 counter and table seats. There are no private rooms.
• Children: Children are welcome.
• Good to Know: The restaurant is entirely non-smoking. As eel is prepared to order, expect a wait of 20–30 minutes after being seated. Photography of the chefs may be restricted.