Kawaramachi Izumiya

Located near the banks of the Nagara River, in an area where old houses with lattice doors line up, preserving the traditional scenery, this ayu (sweetfish) cuisine specialty restaurant is bustling with tourists, just a 5-minute walk from the Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat boarding area.

During the cormorant fishing season, the restaurant serves both lunch and dinner. During the peak season, only course meals are available, but they offer a range of ayu dishes, from grilled ayu wrapped in bamboo leaves to ayu rice porridge. Due to the high demand, especially on weekends, reservations are highly recommended. For those wanting to enjoy ayu while watching cormorant fishing, there's also the option to order an "Ayu Bento" in advance (at least 2 days prior).

The natural ayu used here is caught through a traditional method called "Tomo-dzuri," mainly in the Gujo and Nagara rivers. The charcoal-grilled ayu, which can be eaten whole from head to tail, is meticulously grilled for 30-40 minutes, offering a perfect blend of texture and flavor.

A unique offering is the option to replace the course's final dish, ayu rice porridge, with ayu ramen for an additional fee. The ayu ramen features a soup made from natural ayu fish sauce, topped with sun-dried, charcoal-grilled ayu, offering a light yet richly flavored dish.