Japanese unagi culture,
shared with the world,
chosen with confidence.

国産 博多和うなぎ

Fragrant grilled unagi and the food culture of Japan.
Japan Hakata Wa Unagi is eel raised and processed in Japan, given a new kind of assurance — halal certification at both the eel farm and the processing facility — to connect tables in Japan and around the world.

Halal certification mark (Japan Halal Certification Promotion Organization)
  • Farmed and processed in Japan
  • Halal certification at the farm and the processing facility
  • For businesses in Japan and overseas
  • Products and terms provided individually

Our Wish

To those who once had to
give up on Japanese unagi

We want to turn “I’m not sure I can eat this”
into “I can enjoy this with peace of mind.”

Some visitors to Japan sit in front of a fragrant unagi dish and still decide not to eat it, because they cannot tell which seasonings were used or how it was processed.

Family and friends enjoy the same meal — yet they alone cannot choose it.

It is not only about the eel itself. Ingredients, processing equipment, storage methods and contact with other products all need to be checked.

We do not want Japanese unagi culture to belong to only a limited group of people.

Whatever one’s country, religion or culture, everyone should be able to choose Japanese food with confidence and enjoy it at the same table.

That wish is where Japan Hakata Wa Unagi began.

What We Deliver

We deliver more
than a product.

Japanese unagi cuisine carries a food culture handed down over many generations.

  • Those who raise the eel.
  • Those who judge its condition.
  • Those who process it with care.
  • Those who check every grill.
  • And those who share it with the people they love.

Many people’s work and skill go into turning a single eel into a dish.

What we want to bring to the world is not just a food called unagi.

It is the taste of Japan, Japanese craftsmanship, a heart that values food — and the experience of everyone sharing the same table.

What is Hakata Wa Unagi

Raised in Japan, processed in Japan,
with a commitment to halal.

Japan Hakata Wa Unagi is a council brand built on three principles.

  1. 01

    Raised in Japan

    Covers eel raised at eel farms in Japan.

  2. 02

    Processed in Japan

    Processed and packaged as products at processing facilities in Japan.

  3. 03

    Halal certification at both farm and processing facility

    From farming to processing, the certified facilities and processes are confirmed.

Rather than simply saying “it’s fish, so it’s halal,” we aim to be a brand where diners and businesses can check the information they need to make their own decision.

*Certified facilities, products and processes are based on the scope stated on the certificate.

Why Halal Certification

“It’s eel, so it’s fine” —
we don’t stop there.

Seafood is generally considered halal. In real products, however, many factors beyond the eel itself are involved.

  • Management at the farming stage
  • Equipment used in processing
  • Sauces and seasonings used for kabayaki
  • Other products handled at the processing facility
  • Storage and packaging
  • Management until shipment

Rather than leaving each diner to judge every point alone, we believed it was necessary to obtain halal certification at both the eel farm and the processing facility, creating an environment where information is easy to confirm.

Certification itself is not the goal.

The goal is that anyone who wants to try Japanese unagi can choose it without hesitation and with peace of mind.

The Name

From Hakata, connecting Japan and the world.

博多 Hakata

Since ancient times, Hakata has been a gateway linking Japan and Asia, welcoming people, culture and food. It is a place where different cultures meet and create new value.

和 Wa

“Wa” stands not only for Japanese food culture, but also for harmony — between people, and between cultures.

Connecting Japanese unagi culture with the diverse food cultures of the world. The name Hakata Wa Unagi carries the will to take that first step.

*“Hakata” expresses the brand’s philosophy and its base of communication. It is not a designation of origin indicating that every product is farmed or processed in Hakata. The farming and processing locations of each product are provided based on product information.

Japanese Unagi Culture

Fragrance, tenderness,
and time shared together.

The fragrance born of fire.
A glaze that awakens the appetite.
The deep satisfaction of unagi with rice.

In Japan, unagi is chosen not only for everyday meals, but for special days, time with loved ones, and moments when people want to regain their strength.

Kabayaki

Japan’s signature unagi dish: grilled eel finished with layers of sauce. Its fragrant flavor and rich sauce are enjoyed with rice.

Shirayaki

Grilled without sauce to bring out the natural flavor of the eel. Paired with seasonings and condiments, it adapts to many dishes.

Into the world’s cuisines

Beyond unaju and unadon, unagi can be used in sushi, rolls, rice bowls, course menus and hotel dining, adapted to the food culture of each country and region.

Delivering tradition as it is. Harmonizing with local food cultures.
Valuing both, we expand the new possibilities of Japanese unagi.

From Farm to Processing

Turning unseen processes
into visible information.

Rather than conveying assurance through a product name or certification mark alone, the council aims for a state in which anyone can confirm where the eel was raised, where it was processed and how it is delivered as a product.

  1. 01

    Farming in Japan

    Eel is raised at eel farms in Japan.

  2. 02

    Pre-shipment check

    The eel to be shipped and the relevant lots are confirmed.

  3. 03

    Processing in Japan

    Processing and packaging suited to each product are carried out at designated processing facilities in Japan.

  4. 04

    Halal management

    Managed within the scope of facilities, products and processes stated on the certificate.

  5. 05

    Product information

    Information needed for trade and service — origin, processing location, storage, best-before date — is organized for each product.

  6. 06

    To businesses in Japan and overseas

    We confirm product, quantity, destination and terms, and propose workable options.

*Specific farming and processing steps and the scope of management differ by product.

Three Assurances

Religious, food and trade —
three kinds of assurance, considered separately.

Religious

Religious assurance

Halal certification has been obtained for the eel farm and the processing facility. We provide verifiable information on the certified facilities, products and processes.

Food

Food assurance

For each product, we confirm information such as ingredients, storage, best-before date and processing facility, and share it with businesses.

Trade

Trade assurance

Quantity, specifications, lead time, destination and required documents are confirmed before trading. Conditions we cannot meet are communicated in advance.

Halal certification and food safety are not the same thing. We keep them distinct and communicate verifiable information honestly.

Halal Certification

Certified at both the eel farm
and the processing facility.

For products designated by the council, Japan Hakata Wa Unagi is based on a system in which both the eel farm and the processing facility hold halal certification.

Halal certification mark (Japan Halal Certification Promotion Organization)
Scope
Eel farm and processing facility
Certification body
Japan Halal Certification Promotion Organization
Certified facilities
Facilities stated on the certificate
Certified products and processes
Scope stated on the certificate
Valid until
To be published after confirming the certificate
Certificate
To be published after confirming the disclosure scope

Acceptance of halal certification may differ by country and region. If you are considering import or sale overseas, we will confirm the target country, product and local requirements before advising whether we can respond.

Quality & Product Information

Not “it’s safe,”
but information you can verify.

Rather than offering only abstract assurance, we organize the information needed for trade and service, product by product.

Information we provide

  • Product name
  • Country of origin of the eel
  • Farming location
  • Processing location
  • Ingredients
  • Net content and weight specifications
  • Storage method
  • Best-before date
  • Allergen information
  • Scope of halal certification
  • Lot information
  • Preparation and serving methods
  • Shipping conditions

Details on HACCP, inspections and export documents differ by facility, product and destination, so we share what has been confirmed on an individual basis.

Our Standards

From a single product
to a trusted brand.

Working with participating businesses, the council will develop the following standards.

  • Product criteria for the brand
  • Labeling standards for farming and processing locations
  • How halal certification information is confirmed
  • Labeling standards for ingredients and product information
  • Quality and hygiene check items
  • Lot information management
  • Rules for using the brand name and logo
  • Contact and verification procedures when issues arise
  • Product information for overseas markets
  • Verification when certification is renewed

We will not present an unfinished system as if it were complete. By building on verifiable facts, we are creating a brand that both those who choose it and those who handle it can trust.

For Businesses in Japan

For Muslim guests visiting or living in Japan —
Japanese unagi as a new choice.

We propose products for guests seeking halal-friendly Japanese food at hotels, ryokan, restaurants, retailers, department stores and tourist facilities.

Businesses we work with

  • Hotels and ryokan
  • Japanese restaurants
  • Halal-friendly restaurants
  • Retailers and department stores
  • Airports and tourist facilities
  • Food wholesalers and trading companies
  • Event and exhibition organizers

Topics for consultation

  • Sourcing for commercial use
  • Available product specifications
  • Serving methods and menu ideas
  • PB/OEM possibilities
  • Halal certification information
  • Stable, ongoing supply
  • Sales and serving conditions

For Overseas Businesses

Japanese unagi,
to tables in your country.

We propose Japanese eel to Japanese restaurants, hotels, food importers, wholesalers and retailers.

Topics for consultation

  • Available products
  • Specifications and weights
  • Minimum order quantity
  • Available supply volume
  • Storage and logistics
  • Product specification sheets
  • Halal certification information
  • Export requirements
  • Product development for local markets
  • PB/OEM possibilities
  • Multilingual product descriptions

About export

Whether export is possible depends on the country or region, product, processing facility, certification conditions and required documents.

We do not claim “exportable to every country.” We respond after confirming the conditions of the destination country.

About the Council

Building a system
no single company could build alone.

The Japan Hakata Wa Unagi Promotion Council is not simply an organization that sells eel. It connects farming, processing, halal, quality information, product development, sales and overseas expansion, building the foundation to bring Japanese unagi culture to Japan and the world.

Main activities

  • Communicating Japan Hakata Wa Unagi
  • Developing brand standards
  • Confirming certification and product information
  • Linking eel farmers and processors
  • Business meetings with sellers in Japan and overseas
  • Product planning for overseas markets
  • Multilingual product information
  • Introduction support for hotels, restaurants and retailers
  • Promoting Japanese unagi culture
Name
国産 博多和うなぎ推進協議会
Japan Hakata Wa Unagi Promotion Council
Purpose
To share Japanese unagi culture in Japan and abroad through eel raised and processed in Japan and a commitment to halal.
To connect businesses involved in production, processing, sales and overseas expansion, and to build the information and systems that let people choose and handle the product with confidence.
Role of the secretariat
  • Receiving inquiries
  • Coordinating business meetings
  • Communicating in Japan and overseas
  • Providing product and certification information
  • Liaison with related businesses

*The party responsible for manufacturing, quality, sales and export will be advised individually according to each transaction.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hakata Wa Unagi produced in Hakata?
“Hakata” represents the brand’s philosophy of connecting Japan and the world. The farming and processing locations of each product are provided based on product information.
Are all products covered by halal certification?
Certified facilities, products and processes are limited to the scope stated on the certificate. Please confirm individual products with us.
Are sauces and seasonings also checked?
For products that use seasonings, such as kabayaki, we advise after confirming the ingredients and certification scope of the product.
Can general consumers buy the products?
We currently trade with businesses only. Sales to general consumers and retail outlets will be announced when ready.
Can you export overseas?
It depends on the country or region, product, processing facility, certification conditions and required documents. Please tell us your destination country.
Can I request samples?
We will advise after confirming the product, quantity, destination and purpose.
Do you support PB/OEM?
We will review your desired product, quantity, specifications and sales region, and consider it with businesses that can respond.
Can I see the certificate or product specification sheets?
We provide publicly available certification information and basic materials. Materials containing confidential trade information are disclosed after signing a non-disclosure agreement where necessary.

Contact

Japanese unagi,
to your country, region and business.

Feel free to contact us about handling our products, introduction to hotels and restaurants, import and wholesale, PB/OEM, or overseas expansion.

Please include the following in your inquiry

  • Company or organization name
  • Country / region
  • Type of business
  • Contact person
  • Products of interest
  • Intended use
  • Desired quantity
  • Desired delivery date
  • Planned sales or serving region
  • PB/OEM interest
  • Halal certification requirements
  • Export-related questions

After reviewing your inquiry, the secretariat will contact you.

Toward a future where Japanese unagi
is enjoyed at the same table.

Protecting Japanese food culture.
Respecting the diversity of cultures around the world.

We believe Japanese food today must value both — not just one.

Adding verifiable assurance to eel raised and processed in Japan.

Delivering it as a dish that anyone who wishes to try Japanese unagi can choose.

From here, the Japan Hakata Wa Unagi Promotion Council moves forward in connecting tables in Japan and around the world.

Japanese Unagi for a Shared Table.