Okaya-shi is located near Lake Suwa, a town that has the starting point of River Tenryu. Both in Lake Suwa and in River Tenryu they could fish eel up until the beginning of Showa era, with the total amount of game amouting 38 t yearly. In those old times people enjoyed eating it with the amount of consumption the largest natwionwide, too, with many a restraunt for it or river fish. The ancestors's research and efforts on eel cuisines and those of current restaurants that inherit the tradition have led to tastes and cuisines unique to Okaya. In addition, in Okaya-shi, it is eaten in marriage / funeral ceremonies or kindergartens, junior / junior high schools. For eel cuisines in Okaya, they slice open at the back of it in Kanto way; grill with coal, not steam it in Kansai way, with the outside crispy and voluminous with sweet dense soup over it, a taste you cannot forget once you eat it and the fine balance in-between those two areas.