When one thinks of Yanagawa, two things come immediately to mind: its scenic creek cruises and its distinctive steamed eel cuisine. While grilled eel over rice (unadon) is typically served in a bowl elsewhere, Yanagawa’s signature dish is seiro-mushi, where the eel and rice are steamed together in a multi-layered lacquer box. This cooking method keeps the meal hot from the first bite to the last and allows the flavors to meld, resulting in an exceptionally aromatic and savory dish. The city takes such pride in this specialty that it is home to around 40 restaurants dedicated to eel.
