When I came to this building before, I was intrigued by the entrance to the basement. The retro-style with a thatched roof-like appearance gives it a nostalgic feel, like visiting my grandparents' house. The location is conveniently close to the subway, making it easily accessible regardless of the weather. The interior of the shop is surprisingly spacious, with individual themed rooms that resemble a theme park. With the permission of the staff, I was able to take photos inside the shop, as they welcome reviews. The setup seems to be inspired by a garden, with each room having its own unique theme. Whether for a casual drink for two or a group gathering, the private rooms cater to various needs such as year-end parties or New Year's gatherings. Starting off with the recommended salty plum sour, which is a new classic sour from Suntory, it was easy to drink. The organic tomato salad impressed me with its thinly sliced tomatoes and onions, served with fresh vegetables. The assorted yakitori platter offered a selection of bonjiri, negima, tsukune, and chicken skin, with the option of salt or sauce. I chose salt this time, as yakitori always goes well with alcohol. The green tea plum wine on the rocks was delightful, with a hint of sweetness and a smooth finish that would appeal to women. It was so easy to drink that I had to be careful not to overindulge (laughs). For dessert, I ordered a waffle with whipped cream, along with various snacks. The conversation flowed smoothly, and before I knew it, I had enjoyed quite a few drinks. The relaxed atmosphere of the shop allowed me to unwind and enjoy the experience.

When it comes to cold days, I think of hot pot, but this izakaya offers a steamed vegetable dish. It is located a 2-minute walk from Ueno Station, Uguisudani Exit, or a 1-minute walk from Ueno-Okachimachi Station on the Tokyo Metro. It is located on the basement floor of Plaza U Building. Start with a "Grated Western Pear Sour" for a toast. Organic tomato salad with lettuce surrounded by thinly sliced tomatoes and onion slices in the middle. Plenty of vegetables for a healthy option. Crispy octopus takoyaki from Akashi. Grilled chicken spare ribs marinated in sauce, maybe? Grilled chicken wings with a thick sauce on top. Seafood steamed in a steamer with a large steamer filled with mussels, shrimp, scallops, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bean sprouts, and Chinese cabbage. Enjoy with either sesame sauce or ponzu. It's hot and healthy. Finished with a cold cheesecake with blueberry sauce. Finally, ordered Yamazaki distillery aged roasted barrel plum wine and Yamazaki on the rocks. The interior of the restaurant is interesting with rooms arranged like a maze. It is easy to find as it is located right in front of the T-junction of Funami Street.

I went to Ueno and had a quick drink in the garden. Then I wandered around Ameyoko. I had some time to spare, so I went shopping in Ueno. It's so close from Akihabara, just a short walk away, right next to the ABAB Building. I had a meal at the garden. I saw on their website that they had delicious dishes like sukiyaki and fugu. It's on the basement floor. The seating is in a Japanese style. You take off your shoes before entering. They mentioned that there might be delays in service due to a group of customers that day. So, I decided to just have a quick drink! I placed my order quickly: - Ice Draft Beer (beer served with ice, even in the cold winter!) - Kyoto Tofu and Avocado Salad - Camembert Cheese Fry with strawberry jam - Lotus Root Chips - Chicken Spare Ribs (sweet and slightly sour sauce) - Goya Champuru with bean sprouts It was quite filling, but I managed to finish everything easily! Ended the meal with a Makers Highball. I saw the grill area on the way to the restroom, and the grilled chicken skewers looked delicious. I should have ordered some! It's still early, so off to karaoke we go! It's the season for year-end parties after all!

Ueno Station, Okachimachi Station, and other dining areas adjacent to Ameyoko are bustling! Since it was cold, I decided to go to a izakaya for hot pot dishes, and I went to Oniwa for the first time. Please note that the entrance is underground and there is no signboard on the front of the building, so it can be difficult to find. We sat at a cozy sunken kotatsu table and had a lively conversation. The interior of the restaurant, which recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Kyoto house, is very relaxing. We were served a glass noodle salad as a starter, followed by a seafood avocado salad with octopus, avocado, and plenty of crunchy lettuce. The steamed black pork was steaming hot and served on a bed of bean sprouts, Chinese cabbage, and broccoli, making it a healthy dish. The rich flavor of the black pork fat melts in your mouth. The steamed dishes also include seafood and local chicken options. We decided to go with the Kanto-style Wagyu sukiyaki, which is cooked in a traditional Kyoto broth that really whets your appetite. It comes with leeks, tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and is perfect for sharing with a large group. The simmered Wagyu beef, dipped in raw egg, was delicious. We ended our meal with a three kinds of pickles, edamame, and finished with spicy cod roe and Chinese cabbage fried rice. I love the spicy kick from the cod roe and Chinese cabbage! On the way back, we made a stop at Ameyoko.

On Wednesday night, November 20, 2019, we visited "Oni wa Soto!" for a bean-throwing event out of season at the restaurant "Onote". I went with two of my junior colleagues. We ordered the following dishes: assorted sashimi, healthy salad with Kyoto tofu and avocado, deep-fried chicken, rolled omelette with dashi broth, Wagyu sukiyaki hot pot, sushi with grilled pork, homemade satsuma-age, and grilled fish cake. All the dishes were delicious. Lately, I've been to many disappointing izakayas, so I was relieved this time. In particular, the Wagyu sukiyaki hot pot was not the best quality meat, but the seasoning was great and it was delicious. I couldn't resist ordering more. The broth was exquisite and dipping the egg in it was irresistible. The semi-private room had a calming atmosphere and the food was delicious, so I was very satisfied. The year-end party season in December is coming up, but I think this restaurant is a safe bet! Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Located near ABAB in Ueno, "Oniwa" on the basement 1st floor is an izakaya where you can enjoy a variety of dishes such as hot pot, meat, and fish. The spacious underground space, which you wouldn't imagine from above ground, truly feels like a garden spreading underground. When it gets cold, what you want to eat is hot pot. Here, they offer a chiri-tori hot pot. The shallow pot shape is not very familiar in the Kanto region, but it seems to have originated around Osaka's Tsuruhashi area. You can choose from about 4 types of soup, and on this day, we chose miso flavor. The main ingredient is chicken with a mountain of vegetables. When you move the vegetables aside, you'll find plenty of chicken in every corner of the pot. They will add more soup even if it decreases, providing a satisfying amount for a winter main dish. The black pork simmered in soy sauce has a distinctive flavor of cloves that permeates the meat, making it so tender that it seems like it could fall apart just by picking it up with chopsticks. Although there were about 5 pieces on one plate, it seems easy for one person to finish one plate. The healthy salad with Kyoto tofu and avocado is served in a deep plate filled to the brim. We thought we ordered a very ordinary salad, but this healthy dish already seems to fill our stomachs. The classic fried chicken has a firm and tight texture with a slightly spicy coating. It was fried to perfection with a punchy flavor. The private room for three people and the space that can accommodate around 20 people are also available. The price range is relatively affordable, and the portions are generous. It seems like a good choice for a year-end party or a New Year's party, as it can cover the preferences of the participants and provide peace of mind for the organizer.

It's almost the season when sukiyaki tastes delicious♪ After visiting the Ueno Mori Art Museum, feeling a bit chilly, I decided to go to a restaurant where I can have sukiyaki. It's located on the basement floor of a building along the street just a short walk from Ueno Park. The interior of the restaurant is surprisingly spacious. We were led to a quiet private room in the back. I wanted to take off my shoes, so I could relax here^^ We started with a beer with ice called "Ice Draft," which was easy to drink. It was reassuring to know that Suntory was involved in the alcohol options. - Healthy salad with Kyoto tofu and avocado: The tofu and avocado were quite bland, but they paired well with the flavorful Japanese dressing. - Smoked sausage: Sometimes you just crave something like this. The crispy surface was a perfect match with the beer. - Wagyu sukiyaki hot pot (for 2 people): There was a generous amount of meat and vegetables in the pot, more than I expected! The simmering aroma was delightful. The sweet but not too sweet sauce was just right. The dish was so tasty that I wanted to add rice or noodles at the end, but there was so much food that I ended up feeling quite full! - Lemon sour from a specialty sake bar: The glass was impressively icy cold even after some time. - Braised black pork: This dish was incredibly delicious, so I highly recommend ordering it. The flavor of star anise was prominent, and the pork was so tender that it fell apart easily. I stumbled upon this restaurant, but they offered both course meals and a la carte options, so for foodies, I recommend the course meal. The sukiyaki course includes 9 dishes and a 3-hour all-you-can-drink option for only ¥4000, which is surprisingly affordable! It's not common to find a 3-hour all-you-can-drink deal, so it's worth remembering this place. They also had seafood hot pot and tetchiri on the menu. Above all, the staff's service was fantastic. Perhaps because there were many Chinese tourists in the area, the waitstaff were Chinese, but they were extremely kind♡

The area around Ueno is a great place to have fun and do some shopping. After enjoying some art at Ueno Park, you can head to the private room izakaya restaurant called Oniwa located in Plaza U Building, B1F at 4-6-8 Taito-ku. The interior is traditional Japanese style with a chic and sophisticated atmosphere. Start with a beer and then try the chilled white wine with some appetizers like organic tomato salad and grilled stingray. The wagyu sukiyaki is a must-try, with plenty of meat and a sweet flavor. The staff is attentive and the overall quality of food and drinks is excellent. It's a great place to relax and enjoy with friends. Highly recommended!

Ueno Station is very close, and I was able to easily find the building without getting lost! The atmosphere on the basement floor was nice. The restaurant seemed to be very popular and bustling with energy. I had made a reservation, and I was guided smoothly to my table, which was nice. The food was served quickly and everything was delicious, no disappointments. They had a variety of dishes like sashimi, fried foods, and hot pot, which made the meal enjoyable. The service from the staff was excellent, and I had a pleasant time. The drinks were cold and tasty, making the alcohol go down smoothly. Overall, I was very satisfied.

We used it for a year-end party. We were able to use a private room with 12 people, but it was small.

I will never go back again.