Limited-Time Sale of Yamashige-Supervised 'Unaju' Bento: A Historic Eel Restaurant's Flavor Comes to Train Stations

JR East Japan Cross Station Foods Company (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; Company Head: Fumihito Nakama) will launch a two-day limited sale of 'Unaju' bento boxes supervised by Yamashige, a historic eel restaurant, on July 25 (Saturday) and 26 (Sunday), 2026, in celebration of 'Doyō no Usui'—the traditional Japanese day for eating eel.

This product features 'Unaju' supervised by Yamashige, a long-established eel restaurant in Ōtsu City, Shiga Prefecture, with over 400 years of history.

The star ingredient—eel—is made from carefully selected domestic Japanese eel. It is grilled to a rich, aromatic finish and served with a special tare sauce supervised by Yamashige. The sauce is crafted by adding grilled eel heads and bones to premium seasonings, enhancing the natural umami and depth of the eel with a balanced sweetness, while maintaining a clean, refreshing aftertaste that highlights the authentic flavor of Japanese eel.

This bento captures the traditional taste that Yamashige has preserved across generations, crafted into a special offering befitting the 'Doyō no Usui' tradition.

The product will be available at selected stores, including 'Ekiben-ya Matsuri.' We invite customers to savor the legacy of a historic restaurant and the rich, authentic flavor of domestically sourced eel.

Product Name: Unaju

Price: 2,580 yen (tax included)

Sales Period: July 25 (Sat) – July 26 (Sun), 2026

※ Limited to two days only

Main Sales Locations:

【Tokyo Station】 Ekiben-ya Matsuri, Gransta Tokyo, and others

【Shinjuku Station】 Ekiben-ya Matsuri Select, inside Shinjuku South Ticket Gate

【Ueno Station】 Ekiben-ya, Ueno Central Ticket Gate

【Omiya Station】 Ekiben-ya Matsuri Select, Eキュート Omiya

About Yamashige Unagi Restaurant

Originating by Lake Biwa and the Setagawa River

"Yamakataya Shigouemon"

Yamashige, with over 400 years of history, traces its roots to a mobile eel vendor called "Yamakataya Shigouemon" at the historic Setagawa Bridge, located by Lake Biwa and the Setagawa River. While evolving over time, the restaurant continues to preserve and pass down its traditional flavors through generations.

Yamashige Unagi Restaurant Official Website

About Ekiben-ya Matsuri Gransta Tokyo

"Ekiben-ya Matsuri" is a shop where anyone can casually stop by and enjoy.

To earn recognition as "Japan's No.1 Ekiben Shop," it offers around 150 varieties of ekiben daily. With such a wide selection and regular events, visitors can experience "every day as an ekiben festival."

Ekiben-ya Matsuri Official Website

Ekiben-ya Matsuri Official X (Twitter)

Ekiben-ya Matsuri Official Instagram

About JR East Japan Cross Station Co., Ltd.

Company Name: JR East Japan Cross Station Co., Ltd.

Head Office: 5-33-8 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, South Gate Shinjuku Building, 6F

Established: April 1, 2021 (Reiwa 3)

President & CEO: Atsuko Ito

Capital: 4.11 billion yen (100% subsidiary of JR East Japan)

The company consists of four business units: Retail Company, managing convenience stores like 'NewDays' and specialty shops; Foods Company, focusing on food and restaurant operations including 'Irori-an Kiraku,' 'Bax Coffee Shop,' 'Honno-Riya,' and 'Ekiben-ya'; Water Business Company, operating vending machines and original product lines such as 'From AQUA' under the 'acure' brand; and Development Company, operating station-based commercial facilities like 'ecute' and 'Gransta.'