"Maruya Honten Nagoya Station Meichika Branch" to Open on September 4, 2026 Carrying on the legacy of the Meieki Branch, which was beloved for 19 years, the restaurant is reopening at Nagoya Station

Maruya Honten Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture;Representative Director: Ikuo Takasu), will open the “Maruya Honten Nagoya Station MEICHIKA Branch” on Friday, September 4, 2026, in the “MEICHIKA” underground shopping arcade at Nagoya Station, which is set to reopen following renovations.

Hitsumabushi

The new store is located in the “MEICHIKA” underground shopping arcade at Nagoya Station, very close to the former “Maruya Honten Meieki Branch,” which closed on February 28, 2026, to much regret following the closure of Meitetsu Department Store. Encouraged by the many warm messages from customers left at the storefront upon its closure, we are reopening with the support and fond memories of so many people.

■“Maruya Honten Meieki Branch,” loved for 19 years. Heartfelt messages received at the time of closure

Since its founding, Maruya Honten has expanded its chain with the vision of “making Nagoya’s local specialty, hitsumabushi, a dish we can be proud of on the world stage.”

In 2024, we opened our second Tokyo location, Ginza Glace, as well as the Meieki 3-chome branch near Nagoya Station. In 2025, we opened our first store in Western Japan at Osaka Umekita Green Place, and we now operate locations in Aichi, Tokyo, and Osaka.

Among these, the “Maruya Honten Meieki Branch,” which opened in March 2007, served over 10,000 customers every month for 19 years, offering “hitsumabushi”—a culinary icon of Nagoya—not only to local patrons but also to visitors from other prefectures and overseas.

However, following the closure of Meitetsu Department Store, the branch brought its 19-year history to a close on February 28, 2026.

Since the closure was announced, many customers have visited the store every day, and the message board set up at the entrance was filled with numerous messages expressing regret over the closure and words of gratitude.

Over 1,000 messages

So many heartwarming messages

■ Countless “thank yous” have become the driving force behind opening a new store

On the message board set up in front of the store leading up to our final day of business, we received many heartwarming messages from customers, such as “We’ve been celebrating our family’s birthdays here for a long time,” “This is a place full of memories with my family,” and “I’ll definitely visit the new store when it opens.”

We received many warm messages not only from customers in Japan but also from those visiting from overseas, and the sentiments shared by everyone served as a major source of strength as we moved forward with preparations to open a new location in the Nagoya Station underground shopping arcade, “MEICHIKA.”

With deep gratitude for the 19 years we’ve been nurtured here at Nagoya Station, we will continue to cherish and carry forward our unwavering commitment to our cuisine—unchanged since our founding—and our hospitality that attends to each and every customer at our new location.

The new restaurant will feature a calm, modern Japanese-style interior. In addition to table seating, we’ll offer counter seating where even solo diners can enjoy a relaxed meal. It’s perfect for a wide range of occasions, from sightseeing and business to everyday dining.

Image of the Nagoya Station Meichika Branch

Interior Image of the Nagoya Station Meichika Branch

■Store Overview

Restaurant Name: Maruya Honten Nagoya Station Meichika Branch

Address: Inside Nagoya Station Underground Shopping Arcade “MEICHIKA,” 3-14-15 Meieki, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City

Access: Directly connected to Nagoya Station (Higashiyama Line and Sakura-dori Line)

Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last Order: 9:30 PM)

Official Website: https://www.maruya-honten.com/

*Information current as of July 1, 2026; subject to change.

■ About “MEICHIKA”

Established in 1957 alongside the opening of Nagoya’s first subway line, the Higashiyama Line, the “Meichika” underground shopping arcade has been a beloved gateway to Nagoya Station for approximately 65 years.

Following a comprehensive renovation starting in 2023, it will be reborn in September 2026 as the new underground shopping mall “MEICHIKA,” under the concept “Daily Good+ — Enjoy a Good Everyday at MEICHIKA.”

https://www.meichika.jp/

■ Nagoya Station Meichika Store Grand Opening Campaign Planned, Primarily at Stores in Aichi Prefecture

To express our gratitude to customers who have eagerly awaited the new store’s opening, we plan to hold the “MEICHIKA Store Opening Commemorative Campaign,” featuring limited-edition lucky bags and special set meals, primarily at our stores in Aichi Prefecture. With the opening of this new store, we aim to once again showcase Maruya Honten’s “delicious flavors” and “commitment to quality.”

■Maruya Honten’s “Nagoya Specialty Hitsumabushi,” Featuring Carefully Grilled Eel and a Secret Sauce

We carefully select eels that are at their peak of fat content for the season, and our artisans meticulously grill each one to perfection. To achieve a fragrant, crispy exterior and a fluffy, tender interior, our grill masters continuously hone their skills.

Our secret sauce is based on a traditional tamari soy sauce first produced in Tenpō 14 (1843), to which we continuously add the umami from eel and eel bones.From the aromatic broth made with Hokkaido kelp and our original blend of bonito flakes, to the rice, condiments, and pickles—every ingredient is carefully selected specifically for hitsumabushi.

Enjoy the first bowl as is, the second with condiments, and the third with dashi poured over it. Each offers a distinct flavor, allowing you to fully savor the unique hitsumabushi culture of Nagoya.

A secret sauce made with traditional tamari soy sauce

Meticulous grilling

■About Maruya Honten

Since its founding in 2005, Maruya Honten has been serving Nagoya’s famous hitsumabushi, driven by the desire to “make eel—a traditional Japanese dish—more accessible and enjoyable to as many people as possible.”

In addition to our commitment to flavor and ingredients, we focus on creating a high-quality, serene atmosphere and providing exceptional hospitality. We currently operate five locations in Aichi Prefecture, two in Tokyo, and one in Osaka.

In 2025, the business will be handed over to Representative Director Ikuo Takasu, and under this new leadership, we will continue to promote Nagoya’s culinary culture throughout Japan and around the world.

■Company Overview

Company Name: Maruya Honten, Ltd.

Representative: Ikuo Takasu, Representative Director

Address: 1F Sun Sky Ueda, 3-1212 Ueda Nishi, Tenpaku Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 468-0058

Established: April 6, Heisei 17

Business Activities: Operation of Japanese cuisine and eel restaurants; eel processing

Capital: 3 million yen

URL: https://www.maruya-honten.com