Masuya
Urawa, Saitama
Restaurant in Saitama, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
A 138-year-old unagi specialist near Urawa Station, recognized in Tabelog 100 – Unagi 2024, grilling eel over Kishu Binchotan charcoal with private rooms for up to 65 guests. Dinner runs JPY 5,000–5,999; lunch offers a lower entry point at JPY 1,000–1,999. Takeout available but best consumed quickly. Book private rooms for groups; walk-ins queue during peak hours.
About Masuya
Masuya in Saitama appears in the Tabelog 100 – Unagi 2024 list, lists lunch pricing at JPY 1,000–1,999 and dinner pricing at JPY 5,000–5,999, and follows a smart-casual dress code. It is closed on Mondays and opens for both lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Sunday, with Sunday dinner ending earlier than the rest of the week.
The meal, pricing, and what to expect
Masuya’s inclusion in the Tabelog 100 – Unagi 2024 category makes it a notable choice for diners tracking that list. The restaurant’s lunch price band is JPY 1,000–1,999 and its dinner price band is JPY 5,000–5,999.
The restaurant’s hours support both lunch and dinner visits: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM–3 PM and 5–9 PM; Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM and 5–8 PM; Monday closed. Takeaway or delivery service is not mentioned, so check directly with the restaurant if you want those options.
Reservations, capacity, and group logistics
Seat count, private rooms, parking, service charges, and reservation rules are not specified. Groups should confirm availability and booking conditions directly before visiting, especially for dinner or weekend meals. The smart-casual dress code is the only service-related guidance listed.
For timing, the most reliable planning detail is the weekly schedule. Masuya is closed on Monday. From Tuesday to Saturday, lunch runs 11 AM–3 PM and dinner runs 5–9 PM. On Sunday, lunch remains 11 AM–3 PM, while dinner runs 5–8 PM.
How it fits the Saitama dining landscape
Masuya’s Tabelog 100 – Unagi 2024 recognition makes it relevant for diners tracking that list in Saitama. If you are comparing named options, Unagi Musashino is another allowed point of reference, while Komorebi Shokudo +, Kuneru Bakery, Turkish Ryori Asena, and chinese restaurant HAKUBI may suit different dining needs depending on what kind of meal you want.
Choose lunch for the lower price band, dinner for the higher price band, avoid Monday, and note the earlier Sunday closing time. For anything beyond price, hours, dress code, and the Tabelog 100 – Unagi 2024 listing, confirm directly before making plans. Our full Saitama restaurants guide covers additional options across price tiers and cuisines.
Planning details
- Location
- 7 Chome-1-3 Kishicho, Urawa Ward, Saitama, 330-0064, Japan
- Website
- unagi-masuya.com
- Phone
- +81 50-5486-5926
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Masuya presents a distinctly historic, classic character rooted in its long history — the restaurant dates back to Meiji 21. The kitchen leans into traditional Japanese fare, centering on unagi (eel) alongside seafood and tempura. Cooking over Kishu Binchotan charcoal is called out specifically, so diners can expect a restrained, charcoal-smoke accent in grilled items that underscores the restaurant’s old-school approach. The combination of heritage lineage, time-honored dishes and charcoal technique conveys a measured, classic dining experience rather than a modern or trendy one.
Best For
Masuya is best suited to diners seeking a traditional Japanese meal in a setting that accommodates private gatherings. With private rooms available, it works well for intimate family meals, quiet celebrations or business dinners where privacy matters. The focus on eel, seafood and tempura — prepared over Kishu Binchotan charcoal — makes it appealing to guests who appreciate classic grilled flavors and refined, specialist cuisine. Note the venue’s sectionalized smoking policy when planning a group that includes non-smokers.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the restaurant’s specialties: unagi, seafood and tempura, and look for dishes that highlight the Kishu Binchotan charcoal cooking method to appreciate the intended flavor profile. If you value privacy or are hosting a small group, reserve a private room in advance — private rooms are explicitly available. Be mindful of the restaurant’s sectionalized smoking areas when booking if any guests are sensitive to smoke. For more specifics on menu items and user impressions, refer to the Tabelog listing and customer reviews mentioned in the description.
Venue details
Ambiance
Traditional ryotei-style atmosphere with tatami rooms and views over a central courtyard garden, quiet and elegant but relaxed enough for family gatherings and business meals; lighting and decor emphasize classic Japanese aesthetics rather than modern design.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- Charcoal-grilled unagi kabayaki
- Unaju (eel over rice)
- Bando Taro domestic eel
- Seasonal kaiseki course menus
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 7 Chome-1-3 Kishicho, Urawa Ward, Saitama, 330-0064, Japan
Planning details
Location
7 Chome-1-3 Kishicho, Urawa Ward, Saitama, 330-0064, Japan · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kuneru Bakery, - JPY 999 - JPY 999, - JPY 999 - JPY 999
- Komorebi Shokudo +, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
- chinese restaurant HAKUBI, JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999 JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999, JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999 JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999
- Unagi Musashino, Unagi (Eel), JPY 5,000 - JPY 5,999 JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999
- Turkish Ryori Asena, JPY 4,000 - JPY 4,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 4,000 - JPY 4,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
Restaurant context
At JPY 5,000–5,999 for dinner, Masuya sits in direct price competition with Unagi Musashino, which runs slightly higher per guest (JPY 6,000–7,999 based on reviews) but offers a quieter, more intimate dining room. Musashino is the better choice for couples or solo diners seeking a focused eel experience without distraction. Masuya's advantage is capacity: 176 seats and private rooms for parties up to 65 make it the practical pick for group celebrations, business dinners, or family gatherings where eel is the anchor. The all-you-can-drink option (six or more guests) and on-site parking tip the decision further in favor of groups.
Chinese restaurant HAKUBI charges JPY 5,000–5,999 at dinner and JPY 2,000–2,999 at lunch, positioning it as a mid-tier alternative if eel isn't a hard requirement. HAKUBI's broader menu and lower lunch price make it easier to accommodate mixed preferences within a group, but it lacks the category authority that comes with a Tabelog 100 – Unagi nod. Komorebi Shokudo + and Kuneru Bakery operate well below JPY 2,000 per person and serve entirely different formats (shokudo comfort food and baked goods, respectively), so they're not direct comparisons unless budget becomes the primary filter.
For value-conscious diners, Masuya's JPY 1,000–1,999 lunch is the most accessible entry point among Saitama's Tabelog-recognized eel specialists. If takeout is the goal, both Masuya and Musashino offer it, but neither format holds up well beyond 15 minutes of transit, order only if the destination is close. For the quietest room and highest average quality, choose Musashino. For group capacity, parking, and private-room flexibility, Masuya is the more practical booking.
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Around this place
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Unlock the full Masuya guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masuya good for a special occasion?
Masuya has a smart-casual dress code and a dinner price range of JPY 5,000–5,999, which may suit a more planned meal. Private rooms, seat count, and occasion services are not specified, so groups should check directly before booking.
What should I order at Masuya?
Masuya’s inclusion in the Tabelog 100 – Unagi 2024 list confirms it as a notable unagi restaurant, but it does not specify individual dishes, set meals, cooking methods, or side items. Check the current menu directly with the restaurant before deciding what to order.
Is the tasting menu worth it at Masuya?
A tasting menu or multi-course format is not mentioned. The price ranges are JPY 1,000–1,999 for lunch and JPY 5,000–5,999 for dinner, so ask the restaurant directly about the current menu structure.
Is lunch or dinner better at Masuya?
Lunch is the lower price band at JPY 1,000–1,999, while dinner is JPY 5,000–5,999. Masuya serves lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM–3 PM, and dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5–9 PM and Sunday from 5–8 PM. It is closed on Monday.
