Nezameya

Nezameya, located right next to a torii gate at the entrance of Fushimi Inari Taisha's rear path, has been serving food since 1540. Its name is said to have been given by the famous Toyotomi Hideyoshi. While visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha to pray for his mother's health, Hideyoshi sought a place to rest. This establishment, open early in the morning, was the only available option. Pleased with being able to enjoy tea, Hideyoshi named the eatery “Nezameya,” inspired by his wife’s name, Ne-Ne.

The first thing that catches your eye is the deliciously grilled eel outside the restaurant. Along with the traditional long-grilled eel, they offer affordable eel bowls. The secret behind their flavors is a special homemade sauce, also used for their quail yakitori. Being in the gateway town to Inari Shrine, their inari sushi is a crowd favorite, featuring sweetly simmered tofu skin and rice mixed with sesame and hemp seeds for a delightful texture. Other diverse menu items include mackerel sushi, herring soba, and kitsune udon.

The restaurant, exuding history, utilizes building materials from early Showa-era architecture, reconstructed in the early Heisei period. Despite its compact size, the wooden Japanese-style building provides a calming atmosphere, continually bustling with visitors to Fushimi Inari Taisha.