PARCO_ya Ueno | Review by 王小鈞

This time when I visited Ueno Station, I discovered that there’s actually a lot to browse inside the station! ecute Ueno is directly connected to JR Ueno Station, so you can shop comfortably without worrying about getting wet on rainy days. It has more than 60 shops, offering everything from Japanese specialties, sweets, and souvenirs to household goods, so there’s plenty to choose from.

Whether you want to buy some Japanese snacks, find something good to eat, or pick out souvenirs, you can get it all done here. If you happen to be transferring at Ueno, I really recommend setting aside some time to browse. It’s convenient and easy to shop, and before you know it, you’ll have spent quite a while here!

This time in Okachimachi, I found a beef cutlet restaurant that left a really good impression on me! Beef Cutlet Aona’s main branch in Okachimachi is a little different from a typical pork cutlet restaurant. Here, you can cook the beef cutlet yourself. The restaurant provides a small griddle, so you can control how well done you want it. Cooking it as you eat is pretty fun!

This time, I chose the MIX beef cutlet with three kinds of meat, so I could try the different textures and flavors of various cuts of beef all at once. I thought it was a great value, and the price was also fairly affordable.

The beef itself is very flavorful and is actually delicious on its own! There are also three kinds of sauces, mustard, and salt to pair with it. Switching between different ways of eating it made every bite feel different.

The outside was fried until fragrant and crispy, and I cooked the beef inside a little more to my preferred doneness. It was really delicious eaten hot!

After walking around Ueno and getting tired, I wanted to find somewhere to eat. I saw this soba restaurant and decided to give it a try! There were quite a few customers even though it was mealtime, but fortunately, I didn’t have to wait too long before getting a seat.

Kinojiya is in a very convenient location near Ueno Station and close to Ueno Park. It uses a self-service ordering system, so you need to order at the entrance first. The setup is fairly simple, but there are seats inside where you can take your time and enjoy your meal.

This time, I ordered cold soba with tempura. The soba tasted refreshing, and the broth had a rich Japanese dashi aroma. The flavor was very good.

The tempura on the side was another highlight. It was fried until golden and crispy, and the portion was generous. The outside was crisp without tasting too greasy, and it paired perfectly with the cold soba!

Overall, this is a conveniently located soba restaurant with food of a solid quality. If you’re shopping in Ueno or taking a walk through Ueno Park and want a simple Japanese meal, this place is worth considering.