[Zaraku Ueno Ekimae Store] Located just a 3-minute walk from Ueno Station, this stylish izakaya is newly opened on the 8th floor of a building by the tranquil Shinobazu Pond near Ueno Station. The view is great, and the private rooms are well-equipped, making it a very convenient place to dine. With so many delicious menu options, I couldn't decide what to order, so I asked the staff for their recommendations! First, I enjoyed a "Kachikachi Shio Lemon Sour" cheers! The lemon in the drink is crushed with a stirrer to release its flavor directly, and the lemon-shaped container for the appetizer is quite impressive! Inside, there are 3 types of ham. The restaurant's specialty "Mochimochi Tuna Assortment" features five types of tuna: Otoro, Chutoro, Akami, Nodoguro, and Hoho, served with sesame oil and salt. The Nodoguro and Hoho have a unique "mochimochi" texture, and the combination of sesame oil adds a delicious aroma and smoothness. The premium selection of five types of fresh sashimi is as delicious as its name suggests✨ The assorted fried dishes include aged chicken karaage, Akashi-style fried takoyaki, fried cartilage, and potato fries. The chicken karaage and fried takoyaki, in particular, are superb, leaving me wanting more even if I had ordered them separately. The Caesar salad with shrimp and onsen tamago features plump shrimp, creamy onsen tamago, and crispy toppings, creating a delightful mix of textures. Lastly, the vegetable-wrapped pork belly skewers consist of four types: scallion, shiso leaf, eringi mushroom, and lettuce. The crunchy vegetables and juicy pork belly blend perfectly, creating a delicious combination.

Located about a 3-minute walk from Ueno Station, near the Shinobazu exit, on the 8th floor of the Lakeside Building with a Seven Eleven on the first floor. The interior of the restaurant is modern Japanese style with a counter, table seating, and private rooms. We were seated by the window, allowing us to enjoy the night view. The menu offers a wide variety of meat and fish dishes, making it hard to decide what to order. We started with the most popular item, the tuna tasting set, which includes five types of tuna including the unique Mochi Mochi Tuna from Owase, Mie Prefecture. Each type of tuna has a different taste and texture, a real eye-opener! You can enjoy it with sesame oil and salt or soy sauce for added flavor. We also tried the Horse Sashimi, which melts in your mouth and is so delicious. The Sendai specialty grilled beef tongue was tender and perfectly seasoned. The vegetable and pork belly skewers were also a hit with their generous portions and amazing flavors. The dishes and drinks were served promptly without any long waits, and the atmosphere was great. Overall, a very satisfying experience.

I visited the restaurant as I had made plans to meet a friend in Ueno. We were seated by the window and enjoyed a beautiful night view and the full moon while having our meal. We started with a Premium Malt beer for me and a Cassis Orange for her, cheers. The appetizer was served in a large yellow lemon container, which turned out to be ham carpaccio. It was surprising but delicious. We then ordered the signature dish, the chewy tuna tasting platter, which I'm sure is a must-try for anyone visiting this restaurant. It was great to taste different parts of the chewy tuna at once. Next, we had the grilled beef tongue. The well-marinated tongue topped with green onions and miso was amazing and disappeared in no time. This restaurant not only excels in fish but also in meat dishes. We also enjoyed the horse sashimi and meat-wrapped vegetables, all delicious, and before we knew it, we were both full. The grilled udon we ordered for dessert was rich in flavor and very tasty, perfect with drinks. With the beautiful night view and delicious food, we left fully satisfied. The convenient location near Ueno Station makes it a place I would like to visit again in the future.

From Ueno Station, where to go next... I walked a bit and found a shop in an unexpected place. Took the elevator up. It was crowded inside, probably because it was lunchtime. But I was seated right away. Ordered using a touch panel. What should I get? They specialize in seafood here... and it was delicious. Had a great toast.

I had a meal at Zarak Ueno Ekimae store, a private room izakaya located on the 8th floor of a beautiful building just a 3-minute walk from Ueno Station's Shinobazu Exit. I was seated by the window with a clear view of the Skytree, which was a delightful surprise. We started with a refreshing Kachikachi Lemon Sour, where you crush frozen lemons in the drink. The amount of lemon provided was generous, and the service was excellent. The appetizer was a luxurious platter of smoked duck and three types of meat, perfect for enjoying with drinks. We also had a selection of fresh sashimi, including tuna, salmon, scallop, octopus, and horse mackerel, all delicious. The Chanja dish was a great match for alcohol, with a rich spiciness that was addictive. The Hakushu Morikaoru Highball was served in a stylish glass, making it a luxurious experience. The special selection of marbled horse sashimi was elegant and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. We also enjoyed charcoal-grilled sand liver, beauty skin skewers, and cartilage, all cooked to perfection. Lastly, we indulged in a mixed fried platter with aged chicken Karaage, octopus Karaage, takoyaki, and fried potatoes, all crispy and tasty. The menu was extensive, and every dish was delicious, making it a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience. I would love to visit again.

I came to "Koshitsu Izakaya Zaraku" in front of Ueno Station. Ueno was bustling with foreigners and full of energy. Located on the 8th floor of a building near the station, we were seated in a perfect sunken kotatsu space overlooking the Skytree in the distance and Ueno Park right in front of us. When I ordered a draft beer, a large plate of "otoushi" with duck and ham was served. We started with the classic "edamame" for a toast. The sashimi assortment included scallops, salmon, tuna, shimesaba, and octopus, with the scallops being particularly fresh and tender. I hesitated between the "marbled horse sashimi" and the "lean meat," but ended up choosing the former, which was delicious with its rich flavor. The shochu "Temptation of Angels" from Kagoshima Nishi Shuzo with an alcohol content of 40% was rare for shochu, aged in wooden barrels, amber in color, and tasted very much like whiskey. They also had Yamazaki highballs. The recommended yakitori were sand liver, skin, and cartilage, all of which were delicious as expected. The mentaiko (spicy cod roe) seared dish, assorted fried chicken (including takoyaki), and other dishes were also enjoyable. We finished with yakisoba. With a wide variety of menu options, good value for money, and a great location, I highly recommend this izakaya.

The izakaya restaurant recommended to me is located in a building right by the station. I was seated at a table with a big window and a sunken kotatsu, offering a beautiful view of the Skytree and the greenery of the park. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, and there was a wide variety of skewers to share with friends. As night fell, the view changed and it created a nice atmosphere. The other seats looked cozy too, almost like private rooms. The tuna rare steak was so tasty, it almost tasted like beef. It's a great place to relax and hang out with friends or even for a date!

Located right behind the Keisei Line, with Ueno Park spreading out just a stone's throw away. It was Sunday at 5pm, and I thought it would be empty, but it was almost full of people. The seats were constantly changing, and I was seated by the window with a great view. I could even see the Skytree. The seating was like a sunken kotatsu with no partitions between tables, but they were spaced out nicely, creating a relaxed atmosphere. I started by choosing from the popular menu rankings and used the touch panel to order, which was very convenient as it linked to photos of the dishes. The Ebi Ontama Caesar Salad was delicious with plenty of dressing and plump shrimp. The Maguro Hoho Niku Rare Steak was amazing. The yakitori could be ordered in sets of two, allowing my friends and I to try different varieties. The vegetables were tasty too. The drink selection was extensive, and they were quick to bring them. The touch panel ordering system was easy and convenient. The restroom was clean, and the other seats seemed like private rooms, making it a cozy place to hang out. It's easy to see why this place is popular. It was a relaxing time at this izakaya in Ueno. Thank you for the meal.

I went to a museum with my friends and their families, and on the way back, only the moms stayed behind for a drinking party near the station. We decided to go to a izakaya near the park exit because we didn't want to search for a place. It turned out to be a perfect izakaya for moms who appreciate good food (if I do say so myself). It was a private room izakaya called Zara Ueno Ekimae Store, but they also had table seats (sunken kotatsu style) where you could overlook the outside through the window, so we chose a window seat. The selection of sake was excellent, so we only had sake that day ("Juyondai" 1,800 yen, "Jokigen Kyuheiji" 1,800 yen). The appetizer was 480 yen per person, quite luxurious! It was dangerous, we could just drink this and be satisfied! So, we ordered a salad and a meal to go with the sake. I ordered my favorite octopus sashimi, and had a feast with it. The special marbled horse sashimi was 1,190 yen, and the real octopus was 650 yen. The horse sashimi was delicious! I usually prefer the skin! The skin is so good! (It's chicken skin) It's something you can only eat outside. And then, skewers. I love the skin! The skin is so good! (It's chicken) The moms who love drinking became tipsy moms, and in the end, we were drinking while snacking on chanja. It was a very nice izakaya. As an extra, we considered "feminine power" (two middle-aged women) and ordered "Avocado" for 690 yen and "Cake" for 690 yen (so cheap!). We found it funny that we were saying that. Although the spacious Japanese-style room in the back was also appealing, the window seat had a great location overlooking the park above, so I would highly recommend this seat. *I paid for my own "octopus sashimi" on the way back! That's the price.

The cherry blossoms have bloomed and it feels like spring, so I went to Ueno to enjoy some flower viewing. Even though it has gotten warmer, it's still a bit cold to drink outside, so I decided to have a drink at a restaurant with a view of the flowers. I chose a restaurant right next to the entrance of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park. It's a beautiful place with a great view. I enjoyed drinking while watching the sunset over Ueno and admiring the cherry blossoms. It was a luxurious experience. We sat in a sunken kotatsu-style seating area, where I could stretch my legs and ordered some beer, horse sashimi, and grilled tuna cheek steak. Tuna is delicious as sashimi, but it tastes different and delicious when cooked. Cheers to the cherry blossoms below. The beer was delicious, and the shredded onions on the side were spicy. It seems good for health. Next, I wanted to have some skewers, but they had vegetable wraps, so I ordered lettuce wraps, garlic chive wraps, bell pepper cheese wraps, and enoki mushroom wraps. I wanted to eat the skewers while they were hot, so I ended up eating them all quickly and felt full. But they were so delicious, I couldn't help it. I couldn't eat anymore, so I had a break with hot tea and vanilla ice cream. The days are getting longer, so it was still bright even when I was relaxing. Before I knew it, spring had arrived, and it seems like it will be a delicious summer with good beer. I enjoyed the cherry blossom viewing while feeling the changing of the seasons.

After work one night, I went to a izakaya between Okachimachi and Ueno with a friend. It's located in an area with not many people around, easy to spot above a Seven Eleven after crossing the pedestrian crossing. The place was quite popular and almost full. It's on the 8th floor of a building, and we were guided to a table by the window, a sunken kotatsu-style round table. The view was amazing, we could see inside the izakaya in the building across the street, and we couldn't stop looking. We started with Frozen Tomato Lemon Sour for 590 yen, a healthy-looking drink with frozen mini tomatoes. Then we tried the Koedo Beer in red for 890 yen, a premium ale with a reddish amber color and a sweet aroma, very fruity and easy to drink. They also had Hitachino Nest and Minoh Beer, a great selection for craft beer lovers. Later, we ordered the Rich Tomato Juice Sangria for 550 yen, a mix of tomato sweetness and fruity sangria flavors. The appetizer was onion slices with a platter of three types of meat. We also ordered the Limited Quantity Mochi Mochi Tuna Tasting for 2 people (akami, chutoro, otoro, hoho, nodoura) for 1,980 yen, each piece labeled with the part of the tuna. We tried the vegetable-wrapped pork belly skewers for 300 yen each, including bell pepper cheese-wrapped meat, scallion-wrapped meat, and yam and shiso leaf-wrapped meat. They all had a homemade feel and tasted delicious. We also had the Avocado Salmon Skewers for 295 yen, Butter-sautéed Scallops for 890 yen, Fried Monkfish for 790 yen, and Raw Beef Tongue Yakiniku for 1,880 yen. The beef tongue dish came with a richly flavored tonkotsu soup in the center, surrounded by vegetables and raw beef tongue to cook in the hotpot. Once the meat is cooked, you dip it in ponzu sauce before eating. We also enjoyed the vegetables cooked in the tonkotsu soup. Even though there were noodles for the last course, we were already full. It was great to try monkfish, and the view was spectacular. A perfect place to relax and enjoy good food.

■Private room izakaya Zara Ueno Ekimae store I went to drink at the private room izakaya Zara Ueno Ekimae store, located right in front of Ueno Park! It is a 1-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station. The restaurant is on the top floor, 8th floor, of a building with many other food and drink establishments. The window seats offer a fantastic view overlooking Ueno Station and Chuo Street. I started with a Frozen Tomato Lemon Sour, which includes frozen cherry tomatoes instead of ice cubes. The appetizers included chicken ham, smoked duck, and roast beef, all with a meaty taste. ■Mochi Mochi Tuna Comparison A comparison of rare cuts of Mochi Mochi tuna from Owase, Mie Prefecture! Cheek meat, forehead, lean meat, medium fatty tuna, and fatty tuna. This is said to be the only place in Tokyo where you can try these cuts. ■Versatile Negi Pork Rolls The restaurant offers a variety of vegetable rolls. Here, I tried the negi pork rolls, where pork is wrapped around versatile negi and served with sauce. ■Bell Pepper Cheese Meat Rolls, Nagaimo Meat Rolls The bell pepper cheese and nagaimo meat rolls are seasoned with salt for a refreshing taste. You can choose between sauce or salt based on your preference. ■Avocado Salmon Skewer A unique skewer option, the avocado salmon skewer offers a perfect combination of flavors. ■Anglerfish Tempura This is quite rare. The anglerfish has a firm texture and is served with lemon and salt for a refreshing taste. ■Grilled Beef Tongue Beef tongue surrounds the shabu-shabu pot. The soup in the middle is actually pork bone soup. Once the meat is cooked, you can quickly dip it in the soup and enjoy it with ponzu sauce. It's a great way to get plenty of vegetables as well. The restaurant was almost full, likely due to it being close to closing time, so it's recommended to make a reservation.

Cheers with a lemon sour! The lemon sour here is outstanding with a guaranteed great taste! The canned beers listed on the menu are carefully chosen by the owner, such as COEDO beer and Hitachino Nest beer, offering a variety from rich to refreshing and fruity. Let's enjoy them all! There are plenty of options on the menu, from avocado sashimi to grilled chicken skewers and grilled beef tongue. It's a tough decision for someone indecisive like me! I recommend trying the tuna tasting platter, beef tongue skewers, and horse sashimi - all delicious choices! And the lemon sour I had again at the end was still surprising, with a tower of lemon slices! It's a bit tricky to drink, but the impact is huge! The playful presentation adds to the enjoyment of the delicious time spent here. Thank you!

Met up with friends for drinks in Ueno after a long time. Went to a restaurant on the upper floor near Shinobazu Pond. The place had big windows overlooking the main street, giving a sense of openness. The interior was new and clean, leaving a good impression. The menu had a variety of dishes like tuna, vegetable skewers, and meat sushi, so we could enjoy different options. We mainly ordered skewers and had a lively drinking session. The aged chicken tempura was also delicious. It was a pleasant surprise to find such a nice restaurant during our gathering with friends. Thank you for the meal!

I made a reservation for a private room at a restaurant, but when I arrived, I was seated at a round table instead. The tuna dish was nothing special, just like supermarket tuna, and the skewers and other dishes were so-so. The drinks and service felt like a chain restaurant. The location in Ueno, a competitive dining area, was busy but I don't think I will be coming back.

The restaurant has a stylish and open atmosphere, serving Japanese cuisine. The view overlooks Ueno Park, which is nice. I toasted with a refreshing and slightly sweet plum wine soda. The sashimi was fresh and delicious, with about five varieties including tuna, bonito, and sandfish. The seared tuna cheek meat was particularly tasty. The meat-wrapped skewers were also a great snack with drinks. It's a good place for casual drinks or company gatherings. The service was attentive and the food was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

Ueno Park on a sunny day is very refreshing! I met up with friends at a izakaya near the entrance of Ueno Park. It's easy to find because it's in the same building as a Seven Eleven. The interior of the restaurant is very open and stylish, with great customer service. We ordered some fancy COEDO beer and made a toast! The appetizer was a surprising lemon container. We also ordered a sashimi platter and a yakitori platter to share, which was very convenient. The grilled beef tongue had a crispy texture and was delicious! We chatted and laughed, and before we knew it, two hours had passed. I had a lot of drinks and was pleasantly tipsy. It was a very enjoyable time. Thank you for the great service!

I finished work on time for a change and wanted to relax quickly, so I hurried to Ueno where our dinner reservation was. Since we had some time to spare before our reservation, my friend and I found a place where we could have a light drink. The menu was full of delicious fish dishes, but since we had another place to go afterwards, we ordered something light. We easily placed our order using a modern touch-screen tablet at our table. The food arrived quickly, which was great. For drinks, we had a selection of fresh sashimi and crispy grilled mentaiko with a Hakushu highball. The sashimi included tuna, yellowtail, and salmon, all fresh and delicious. The popular mentaiko and crispy grilled fish eggs had a smoky flavor and just the right amount of saltiness, making it a perfect pairing with alcohol. The atmosphere was cozy and I almost ended up ordering another drink. We only stayed for about an hour, but the cost performance was good and the location was convenient, so I would definitely like to visit again for a more leisurely experience.

Located near Ueno Station, "Koshitsu Izakaya Zarak Ueno Station Front Store" offers private dining rooms for a cozy dining experience. The area has been beautifully renovated, with Ueno Park entrance nearby and other eateries like ABAB and Amazake Mihashimo visible across the road. The restaurant is on the 8th floor of a building, with different seating options including counter seats, tables, raised tatami seating, and private rooms. The table we were seated at was semi-private, separated by curtains. The meal started with a cute appetizer presentation, and we enjoyed the specialty dish of Mochi Mochi Tuna tasting platter. The tuna was prepared using a special freezing method on fishing boats to maintain a unique texture. We also tried various izakaya favorites like grilled cod roe, grilled stingray fin, and tofu. The dishes were surprisingly delicious, especially when paired with a refreshing Lemon Highball. We continued with more drinks and ordered the Hakata-style motsunabe hot pot, perfect for the chilly evening. The hot pot was flavorful and comforting, with tender offal and plenty of vegetables. We ended the meal with a shared serving of noodles, a perfect carb-filled finish to a satisfying dining experience. Overall, we had a great time at "Koshitsu Izakaya Zarak Ueno Station Front Store" and enjoyed the well-thought-out and delicious dishes. It was a reminder of the joy of dining out with friends and having a good time together.

Ueno Park's cherry blossoms were in full bloom and it was the perfect time to visit, so I went with my friends after enjoying the cherry blossoms. The restaurant is located on the 8th floor of the Lakeside Building right next to Shinobazu Pond. We arrived at 7 pm and it was almost full, so it seems like it's better to make a reservation. This time, we were provided with a private room at a table seat. They also have counter seats and cushion seats where you can relax without shoes. We started with a Hakushu highball for a toast. Don't underestimate this izakaya. They have a wide variety of drinks, including Koedo beer, so there is always something you want to drink! I was so happy to toast with my favorite Hakushu highball ♡ ☆ Fukuoka specialty! Crispy grilled mentaiko with dried fish This grilled mentaiko is delicious on its own, but when you eat it with crispy dried fish, it becomes even more delicious with a fragrant taste! I wanted some white rice with my drink ♡ ☆ Today's special selection of fresh sashimi platter I don't usually order sashimi at izakayas, but I ordered it here because they are particular about the freshness, including tuna. It was indeed incredibly fresh and not watery! Unfortunately, it was time to move on to the next restaurant. There are still many menus like chewy tuna that I'm curious about, so I want to visit again. It's nice to have a casual izakaya where you can enjoy with friends.

The long-awaited cherry blossom season has arrived. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom at Ueno Park! I heard this and decided to go for a cherry blossom viewing walk with a friend. Unfortunately, this year, having a picnic with a mat laid out is prohibited, so we decided to walk around the park and then grab something to eat before heading home. We ended up visiting Zara Ueno Ekimae store. It is located in a beautiful building near Ueno Park, and when the elevator opened, we were greeted with a spacious and stylish interior with a beautiful counter. They had a wide selection of Japanese sake, which made us happy. The ordering was done through a tablet at the table, making it easy to browse the menu. I couldn't resist ordering a Yamazaki highball. I also ordered the "Mochi Mochi Tuna Tasting Set/5 types (1980 yen)" from Owase City, Mie Prefecture, without hesitation. When it was brought to the table, I honestly thought it looked plain, but when I took a bite, the chewy texture was amazing! The quality of the tuna exceeded my expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant's recommendation was spot on. (They also had other tuna dishes like Ume Bone Negi Toro, Mochi Mochi Roll, Tuna Nanban, and Grilled Tuna Tail, making the tuna menu quite extensive. I would love to try them next time.) Since it was a cherry blossom viewing from evening to night, and we were feeling cold when we arrived at the restaurant, we decided to go for a hot pot. We ordered the "Motsu Nabe," which you cook at the table. It had a nice aroma and warmed us up, so it was the right choice. You could choose from salt, tonkotsu, or kimchi soup, which was thoughtful (I chose kimchi since my friend likes spicy food). The plentiful vegetables and thick cuts of motsu were delicious. While waiting for the motsu nabe to cook, we also enjoyed some appetizers like "Grilled Cod Roe with Squid (790 yen)," "Shrimp Warm Egg Caesar Salad (895 yen)," "Mixed Tofu (495 yen)," and "Grilled Stingray Fin (690 yen)." It was surprising how delicious they all were, and I couldn't believe how tasty an izakaya could be. The fact that it can be used for various purposes such as drinking parties with colleagues, business dinners, or even dates is also a big plus. I would love to visit again. Thank you for the meal!