On this day, I visited the areas around Ueno, Yushima, Akihabara, and Awajicho. When asked about the master of chestnut sweets, the first shop that comes to mind is "Waguriya". It's a classic choice. It's like you can't go wrong if you leave it to them. The character with a refined Kyoto dialect, played by Hiroji Yusa, is similar to... well, it's rare for someone other than Yusa to do a character with a Kyoto dialect. That sophisticated yet somewhat prickly voice has a hidden charm to it. At first, they seem friendly, but they usually end up betraying you. Now, this is the sister store of "Waguriya". Located inside Ueno Marui, it's called "Kuri no IROIRO". Following in the footsteps of Waguriya, is this the second store after "Mont Blanc Style" in Yoyogi Uehara? I have visited both shops, but "Mont Blanc Style" has become a members-only reservation system... It's quite difficult to become a member, so revisiting is quite tough. I wish they would open up more membership slots. This place is more casual compared to the former. Well, it's inside Marui, so it's natural. They offer take-out items such as daifuku and chestnut sweets, as well as chestnut soft-serve ice cream. Take-out is also available at Waguriya, but the soft-serve ice cream is different from the main store. I went for the soft-serve ice cream. There is a small eat-in space inside the store. The shared space in Marui is larger, but I prefer the atmosphere here. Here's what I had: - Soft Mont Blanc: Soft-serve ice cream made in-store on a Mont Blanc. It uses Taknashi special fresh unsweetened cream from the Nekkawa area in Hokkaido, and chestnuts grown around the company's farm in the Iwama area of Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The Mont Blanc soft-serve is made with Jersey milk from cows naturally grazed in Nasu Kogen. Oh, so chestnutty. The sweetness is incredibly refined. And the rich aroma and flavor of chestnuts. The Mont Blanc soft-serve is made up of 70% chestnuts, and it's irresistible. At the bottom, there's a banana, which adds a fruity touch that complements the chestnuts. Priced over 1000 yen, it's quite expensive for soft-serve ice cream, but it's truly worthy of being from Waguriya. The quality is outstanding. Thank you for the meal!

I visited the restaurant during work to use up my LINE points card which was about to expire. I could only do takeout due to time constraints, and was hoping for a menu item around 1,000 yen, but unfortunately there wasn't one available. Nonetheless, the chestnut shake here is truly rich and unique, so I decided to get the shake alone for 980 yen, just 20 yen short, but ended up adding chestnut paste and cream for 1,210 yen to use up my points. This time, while the amount of shake remained the same, the chestnut paste was noticeably less than before which was disappointing. Despite that, this chestnut shake is only available at this specific store in the group, and I recommend it to anyone, even those who are not chestnut fans!

This is a sister store of "Waguriya" in Tani-naka. While it may not be as good as the main store, there are some good points here: 1) There is not much of a line. Even if there is a line, it's inside Ueno Marui so it's cool. 2) You get a 10% discount when you go during "Marco and Maruo" days. It's easy for me to go here, and I can easily accumulate shop points. On this day, I got a "Fresh Mont Blanc (Extra Chestnut)" for 0 yen using my points! Depending on how much you order, after going 3-4 times, you can get one visit for free. However, the eat-in menu only has fresh Mont Blanc and seasonal items like chestnut shake or chestnut soup. Let's go to the main store when it gets cooler. And chestnut season is almost here. I'm so happy! (^o^)

I also went to the dessert on Cheat Day! I went to the one in Ueno without hesitation. I ordered soft serve for eating in. The visual was nice but the price was a bit high. I got a number tag and sat at an available seat... but there were no seats available so I had to share a table. The taste was light and the sweetness was mild (especially the Mont Blanc part). I thought it could be sweeter. Thank you for the meal.

Around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. It was a scorching hot day with temperatures exceeding 35°C. After having lunch nearby, I decided to take a stroll in Ueno, but it was too hot, so I sought refuge in Marui. I searched online and was drawn to this place by the reviews. I ordered a Plain Mont Blanc Soft Serve for ¥1,300 and a Fruit Mont Blanc Soft Serve for ¥1,530. I was actually aiming for the Roasted Chestnut flavor, but as you can see in the photo, it was sold out... Oh well. As for the taste, the Mont Blanc was rich with chestnut flavor and the soft serve was delicious. No complaints.

I learned that there is a place called Kuriya in Yanaka in front of Ueno Station that offers delivery services, so I decided to buy some dessert. The Mont Blanc choux I tried in Yanaka was very appealing, but there were other unique items that caught my eye as well, so I carefully considered my options. Whether for takeout or eating in, it seemed like I needed to place my order at the register, and while waiting in line, it felt like a waste of time. Eventually, I ordered the "Chestnut Sweet Potato", and had to choose a size. I opted for the minimum trial size, which was two pieces of "Pure Chestnut Sweet Potato from a specialty chestnut shop" for 1000 yen. I couldn't pay with my transportation IC card, so I reluctantly used my credit card, feeling frustrated with the lack of payment options. After a ride on the Yamanote Line, I stored the chestnut sweet potatoes in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to defrost, and followed the instructions to consume them as soon as possible on the same day. The aim of this treat is to be moist rather than crispy, and to provide a warm and comforting feeling rather than a traditional New Year's dish. I could taste the sweetness of the chestnuts.

I ordered the Mont Blanc with fresh cream and chestnuts, and a baked pastry with chestnuts and butter. The Mont Blanc was delicious. I didn't think the banana in it was necessary. I was looking forward to the baked pastry because I heard it could be eaten warm, but it was just average.

Located in Ginza Yuzunaka, this is the third store of the WAGURIYA Group. They have a LINE-exclusive shop card where you can earn points based on your purchase amount, but the points have an approaching expiration date. There was also a secret invitation from the members-only Mont Blanc style, so I decided to revisit while exploring Ameyoko. I have tried both the fresh Mont Blanc and chestnut shake before, but this time I went for the Mont Blanc on top of the shake. Regardless of the presence of the Mont Blanc on top, the chestnut flavor in the shake itself was incredibly rich. I don't think there is anywhere else in Japan that offers such a rich flavor. They also have chestnut sweets for takeout, which make great souvenirs.

I enjoyed a delicious "Fresh Mont Blanc (with extra chestnuts)" where you can fully savor the taste of chestnuts. - The top pure whipped cream is unsweetened, which is good. - Below that is squeezed chestnuts, with a subtle sweetness that allows you to taste the chestnuts directly. It's incredibly delicious. - Furthermore, there is a soft serve chestnut paste below that, which is also delicious. - At the very bottom, there is a chestnut Mont Blanc cream, banana, and crushed candied chestnuts, providing a perfect balance of sweetness. As you go down, you gradually feel the sweetness, which is also very nice.

I had just eaten soft serve ice cream in Ginza the day before, but I didn't have much of an appetite. I decided to stop by here instead of going straight home after finishing my errands in Ueno. I remembered trying the popular shop, WAGURI, during a visit to Yanaka Ginza before. It was a popular spot. I had high expectations, but the atmosphere here was not very relaxing, although the seating was decent. I ordered the seasonal fruit soft serve with melon and Mont Blanc cake on top. It cost around 1500 yen. While waiting, they also brought me tea. The portion size was satisfying for the price. The chestnut soft serve was okay, but the chestnut flavor was a bit weak. The white cream on top wasn't very tasty. I didn't really like it. The melon at the bottom was slightly frozen, with a few chunks. Surprisingly, the melon was the most delicious part of the dessert. I was glad there was fruit in it. Maybe it's better to just buy traditional sweets like yokan instead of getting soft serve here.

My husband bought this when he went out near here. It's a marriage of chestnuts and butter. Inside the box are cute chestnut-shaped bite-sized pieces. Following the recommended way to eat, I lightly warmed them in the toaster. Then, a lovely buttery aroma wafted out! It's not overpowering or milky, but a gentle and beautiful fragrance. When you eat it, the melting sensation is wonderful. It spreads smoothly in the mouth like raw chocolate and disappears as it melts. The flavor of the chestnuts is subtle at first, then gradually becomes more pronounced. I wish the chestnut aroma was a bit stronger, but it's very delicious. 6 pieces for 2400 yen. They are very small, about 400 yen each. The cost performance is not great, but even for a single piece of chocolate, it easily reaches this price range. Using high-quality chestnuts and fermented butter, it might be a good Valentine's gift for those who don't like chocolate. Even though it's not Valentine's season (lol). It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I heard that the winter limited pure chestnut sweet red bean soup powder would end on 3/31, so I went there. Until 3/30, there is a 10% discount period at Marui, so Epos card users can get a little discount. When I asked if I could get a free set of fully ripe Mineoka sauce with a coupon from the LINE official account of IROIRO, they said OK. The strawberry sauce was fresh and it was nice! Of course, the chestnut and roasted green tea were delicious too. Just a reminder, they have maintenance on Tuesdays and the last order is at 6 pm, so be careful.

This time, I went to pick up chestnut butter as a thank-you gift for someone I am grateful for. The soft serve here, which I had only tried once last year, now comes with seasonal fruits as toppings, and limited-time offerings like chestnut porridge and chestnut shake were available last year! I have a dinner party coming up, so I'll have to resist the temptation this time. Chestnut butter is a bit pricey, but I highly recommend trying it at least once if you haven't before!

I went to Ueno and decided to do some shopping at Marui. On my way back, I stopped by this shop in Sendagi, run by the same people who operate the popular WAGURIYA shop. I ordered the Mont Blanc Soft Serve for 1300 yen (tax included) and waited at my table. The seating area was open and simple, not very comfortable, so I quickly finished my dessert. The Mont Blanc Soft Serve had layers of Shibukawa chestnut sauce, chopped bananas, chestnut soft serve, and whipped cream. Despite being called a Mont Blanc, it didn't have Mont Blanc cream unless you specifically ask for it. The chestnut soft serve was mildly sweet, and I wish it had a bit more sweetness for a dessert. The chopped bananas were minimal, adding just a hint of banana flavor. Overall, it was a refreshing soft serve parfait. Thank you for the meal.

Visited before 5:00 PM on a holiday. I came here because I wanted to try this soft serve ice cream available only for eating in. It is a sister store of "Waguriya" in Yanaka and "Mont Blanc Style" in Yoyogi Hachiman. The chestnut matcha also looked delicious. Even though it's for eating in, it feels like there are just high chairs and tables scattered around the passageway. The Mont Blanc with plenty of chestnuts on top (¥1,530) was sold out right in front of me... Maybe the guy at the register is working alone on the holiday? It took longer than I expected to get my order. I was pleasantly surprised that a delicious hojicha tea came with it. The Mont Blanc Soft Serve (Plain) for ¥1,300 comes with unsweetened fresh cream, Kasama-grown chestnut paste, astringent Mont Blanc cream, banana, and candied sweet potato. Despite the casual atmosphere, it's truly "Waguriya"! It was so delicious that it felt like a waste to have it in a plastic cup. I thought the chestnut paste and Mont Blanc cream wouldn't be that different, or that the banana wasn't necessary, but I was wrong (laughs). The flavor of the chestnut is showcased without unnecessary sweetness. In contrast, the banana that comes later is fragrant and adds a vibrant finish. The top fresh cream and slightly less moist chestnut paste also complement each other perfectly. I wish I had time to try the chestnut juice powder as well. Highly recommend!

I stopped by the first floor of Ueno Marui store and found that they had chestnut sweet red bean soup on the menu! I had to try it! I waited for a staff member to come to the register, probably handling both the kitchen and the register by themselves. After a while, a staff member brought me a chestnut soft serve. I decided to just go with the sweet red bean soup since it was cold that day. The staff member came back with a lovely smile and said, "Thank you for waiting!" I ordered the sweet red bean soup, and was seated at a table that had just become available. The sweet red bean soup had a nice roasted green tea aroma, and when mixed, the chestnut red bean fragrance was apparent. It had fluffy white dumplings with a smooth chestnut paste that was not too sweet. I personally prefer it a bit sweeter, but the slight lack of sweetness might be due to the white dumplings. The amount of roasted green tea served was generous and remained hot throughout. The dessert was warm and satisfying, reasonably priced, and the staff members were kind and had lovely smiles. It was a pleasant experience, and I also noticed they had new cakes available. Being able to enjoy freshly baked desserts is a treat. Thank you for the meal!

When I visited the Horses and Warriors exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Ueno, I tried to find a place nearby to do some food blogging. I found this shop in Yanaka that specializes in chestnuts. The shop was not too crowded, unlike some others I had seen before. They offer delicious soft serve ice cream made with chestnuts. I was lucky to find a seat inside the shop as they only had seating for four people. I ordered a Mont Blanc dessert made with fresh chestnuts, which came with a side of roasted green tea. The green tea had a wonderful aroma and tasted delicious. The soft serve ice cream had a strong chestnut flavor, with cream on top and chestnut paste at the bottom. It was a bit hard to reach the chestnut paste at the bottom with a spoon, but it was delicious nonetheless. The ice cream also had slices of banana and candied chestnuts in between. It was not too sweet and very refreshing. The roasted green tea served in a thermos mug was a nice touch. I also wanted to try their chestnut sweets and chestnut soup with rice cakes, so I'll have to come back another time.

This is a chestnut confectionery specialty store located in Ueno Marui. On this day, I tried their new chestnut confectionery and winter limited sweet red bean soup. First, I tried the pure chestnut sweet red bean soup. The chestnut and sugar-based soup had a smooth texture with a hint of the chestnut's rough texture. It was not too sweet and very delicious. The white rice cakes were a bit firm and not my favorite type, as I prefer the sticky and stretchy type. Next, I tried the freshly baked chestnut and butter "mariage." This was a Western-style chestnut sweet, similar to a chestnut paste or sweet potato. The taste varied depending on how you eat it, whether at room temperature, chilled, or reheated. I personally preferred it reheated, as it had a melting texture and a stronger butter flavor. The products from Waguriya are all made with simple ingredients, making them safe and reliable. While the main store in Nippori is often crowded, the Ueno store is a hidden gem with no wait time. It is recommended for a visit with friends or for solo dining. Menu items I tried and recommend: - Pure chestnut sweet red bean soup 1,350 yen - Chestnut butter addition 400 yen [Business Hours] 11:00-20:00 [Closed] Same as Ueno Marui [Reservation] Not required [Budget] From 1,000 yen [Address] Ueno Marui 1F, 6-15-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Thank you for reading until the end. Likes and follows are appreciated! I also post food reviews on Instagram, so feel free to check it out: @mogu.gourmet

I'm sorry, I accidentally removed the whipped cream haha. I've proven that whipped cream is not necessary at Waguriya or Yanesen Store, so I ordered it without whipped cream. The Mont Blanc part is delicious as always! It might be a bit too sweet, but it's within acceptable range. The Jersey chestnut ice cream on the bottom seems a bit bland, like the Jersey and chestnut flavors are holding back and the taste ends up being mediocre. The chestnut pieces and chestnut paste at the bottom are really moist and delicious, but there are bananas in between. They use high-quality ingredients for everything, but I feel like the bananas are unnecessary. The chestnuts are delicious on their own! I prefer it without the bananas!! The tea snack you can buy for takeout, Chestnut Fragrance, is really delicious!

Ueno Marui's 1st floor, opened in July 2021, 'Waguriya KurinoIROIRO'... a popular shop in Yanaka where Waguri Mont Blanc and chestnut sweets are popular and always crowded... the 3rd store following the 2nd store 'Mont Blanc STYLE (completely membership-based)' is this 'Waguriya KurinoIROIRO'... Owner chef Nobuya Kandai... Kandai used to be a designer at a design company... about 10 years ago, he met his chestnut mentor, Yoshiko Oda, and awakened to chestnuts, transitioning to open a chestnut shop... not only opening a chestnut shop, but also creating a self-owned farm of about 3 hectares in Iwama, Ibaraki Prefecture (equivalent to 4 soccer fields)... for over 10 years, Kandai has been dedicated to chestnuts every day, appearing on the TV show "Matsuko's Unknown World" about chestnuts, recognized as a man who loves chestnuts more than anyone else... The 'Raw Soft Mont Blanc Oikuri' is a product that allows you to fully enjoy the taste and aroma of chestnuts... on top of the normal raw soft Mont Blanc, we have generously squeezed the Mont Blanc cream (Oikuri) made only with carefully selected Waguri paste (Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture) and delicate raw cream (Kushiro area, Hokkaido) used in the raw soft... The top is topped with pure cream like raw soft, but it is slightly firmer than raw soft Mont Blanc, giving it a fluffy texture that enhances the Mont Blanc cream (Oikuri)... the ultimate 'Raw Soft Mont Blanc Oikuri' that can be created only by Waguriya, which is particular about the ingredients... Please enjoy the natural taste of chestnuts... [Address] Ueno Marui 1F, 6-15-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo [Arrival Date] Sunday [Number of People in Line] 2 [Wait Time] 5 minutes [Ordered Items Below] ■ Raw Soft Mont Blanc Oikuri (with selected roasted tea stems) 1530 yen (tax included) Made only with carefully selected Waguri paste from the self-owned farm in Iwama, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and the surrounding area... 'Forest No Bokujo Natural Grazing Jersey Milk'... The fresh soft cream made from scratch in the in-store kitchen uses only two ultimate ingredients, which are very delicate and are not normally used as they are in general cake shops, using rare fresh cream 100%... As an accent to the taste, we add Hokkaido low-temperature pasteurized pure cream, organically grown bananas, and chestnut syrup, and serve it in a 'parfait style'... ■ Low-temperature aged 'Iwama steamed chestnuts' 1300 yen (tax included) Depending on the size of the chestnuts, there are about 10 pieces with a weight of 180g... a luxurious steamed chestnut steamed after aging for over a month in a minus temperature ice chamber to bring out the natural sweetness of the carefully selected Waguri from the self-owned farm in Iwama, Kasama City, and the surrounding area... You can enjoy the natural sweetness of chestnuts and a satisfying deliciousness... The 'Aged Iwama Steamed Chestnuts' where you can fully enjoy the umami and aroma of chestnuts will be on sale during the winter season.

After seeing the twin pandas at Ueno Zoo without having to draw lots for the first time in many years, I had lunch in Ueno and then decided to make a U-turn to visit this place that I had been wanting to go to. It was the famous Waguriya, known for its chestnut ice cream style. It had been on my list for a long time, but I finally got to visit. It was around 12:30 pm and there were seats available for dining in. So, I ordered the Waguriya's signature dessert, the "Nama Sofu Mont Blanc" (1530 yen). When I tried it, the chestnut cream, inherited from Waguriya, had an amazing chestnut flavor with delicate, soft sweetness, truly delicious. The chestnut soft serve had a milder chestnut flavor compared to the chestnut cream. The delicate sweetness and chestnut flavor of Waguriya's chestnut cream were surprising, and the skill in making such delicious chestnut cream was wonderful. As the chestnut soft serve started to run out towards the end, just when I was enjoying the rich chestnut flavor of the Shibu Kawa Mont Blanc cream, suddenly a fully ripe banana came in with its intense sweetness that almost overwhelmed the chestnut flavor. Just when I thought the chestnut flavor was lost, it changed to a cut chestnut sweet simmered in syrup, with a rich sweetness and intense chestnut flavor. The contrast between the fully ripe banana, chestnut sweet, and Shibu Kawa Mont Blanc cream was an amazing production. This had a strong impact and was incredibly delicious. At first, I hesitated a bit about spending over 1500 yen on soft serve, but with this level of satisfaction, it was worth it. Thank you for the meal. For more details, please visit my blog "Eating, Taking Photos, Writing" at https://tabetorukaku.com/