After work, I couldn't resist stopping by "THE GARDEN Jiyugaoka Ueno Store" outside the Ueno station ticket gate to look for some alcohol. Today, while browsing, I found the Ebisu New Origin beer, which will be released on 2/21, so I bought it along with some Ogawaken Raisin Witch that I found in the refrigerated section. I purchased the Ebisu New Origin (286 yen), Dondabada from Yona Yona Ale (324 yen), and the Ogawaken Raisin Witch (1468 yen). They accept various payment methods including cash, credit cards, and transportation IC cards, and you can also earn JRE points. Since the bags are charged, I put everything in my own bag and took it home. First, I enjoyed the Ebisu New Origin with its balanced hop bitterness and malt richness. It was so delicious that I couldn't help but drink it all. Then I enjoyed the Dondabada, a Free-Style Belgian Golden Ale from Yoho Brewing, with its fruity aroma and dry, spicy taste. It has an alcohol content of 6%, so it was satisfying and delicious. The Ogawaken Raisin Witch is available on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, so I'll make sure to go back at the right time. The Ebisu New Origin will be officially released on 3/14, so I can't wait to try it out soon!

After work, I stopped by "THE GARDEN Jiyugaoka Ueno Store" outside the Ueno station gates. It's been cold lately, so I opted for wine over beer. This shop offers a variety of charming items like souvenirs and bento boxes. They even discount their bento boxes later in the day. I was intrigued by the wide selection of Asakusa souvenirs and other local and regional products at "KINOKUNIYA Ecute Ueno Store". I bought the "Koshu Nigori Hosaka" for 1738 yen, and also picked up the "Gamey Nouveau Le Gamey de Vinovalie 2022" for 1518 yen. It's a French wine that ships by sea and is known for being affordable and delicious. I paid with cash and also used various credit cards and transportation IC cards. I earned JRE points as well. I brought the wine home and enjoyed it immediately. It had a fresh taste with a rich flavor, not too sweet, and a nice, mellow taste that I liked. I was satisfied with my purchase. Thank you for the meal!

JR Ueno Station has a high-class supermarket near the central ticket gate. It is very convenient as you can always purchase specialty bento boxes and side dishes like those found in station bento shops or department store basements. They also sell their own brand of bento boxes, and there is a possibility of finding discounted items depending on the time of day. This time, I visited the store after 6 pm on the weekend and was able to get a 30% discounted bento box. I am about to board the Shinkansen and embark on a journey to somewhere else. It's a good start right from the beginning. - Shrimp and Egg Rice Bowl: Originally 743 yen, discounted to 520 yen. It's like a shrimp fry version of a pork cutlet bowl. The shrimp itself is a bit small, but the egg is rich and flavorful. The quality of the rice is decent, and it comes with two side dishes (kimpira, potato salad) and pickles, making it very satisfying. In addition to the discounted item, I also purchased the following items. Please refer to my other posts for details: - Yoshikami Pork Cutlet Sandwich: 750 yen - Echizen Tamuraya Hand-Pressed Mackerel Sushi: 815 yen - Kameido Masumoto Senkoku: 1030 yen - Kokugikan Yakitori: 700 yen I paid a total of 3815 yen with PayPay. When combined with the alcohol I bought elsewhere for pairing, it was a luxurious meal that easily exceeded 5000 yen. (Even Moby was shocked by the extravagance!)

Actually, I love station bento, and the other day I went to the "Original Famous Station Bento and Nationwide Delicious Food Expo" at Keio Department Store Shinjuku Store and devoured two delicious bento. Of course, if you eat delicious bento, you naturally want to try different ones. So, I headed to a supermarket near Ueno Station. This time, I went to THE GARDEN Jiyugaoka Ueno store, where there is a dedicated station bento corner with bento from all over the country piled up like a mountain. Which one should I eat? After much deliberation, I chose... the Kinosaki specialty crab rice and sukiyaki bento for 1200 yen. The combination of crab and beef seemed like a dream come true, and I made my choice. It felt pleasantly heavy when I picked it up. Now, when I looked at the bottom, I noticed a string hanging out. Upon closer inspection of the bento wrapping paper, I saw the words "Steam Bento." It turned out to be a bento that heats up using the heat generated by CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂, and the bento becomes piping hot in about 8 minutes. I pulled the string as instructed and waited for the bento to warm up. When I opened the wrapping paper, it was a magnificent sight! The sukiyaki and crab rice were competing in a wonderful visual display that seemed out of this world. I hesitated on which to eat first, but I started with the sukiyaki. On top of the rice were beef, tofu, shirataki noodles, carrots, and green onions—a suitable lineup for sukiyaki. The beef, soaked in the sweet and savory sauce, was flavorful with every bite, and it went well with the rice. Even though it wasn't scorching hot, the warmth made all the ingredients delicious. Next, the crab rice. The crab flakes covering the surface were beautiful, with crab claws adding a touch of elegance. Furthermore, scallops were also included, making it a luxurious experience. When I tasted the crab, the flavor spread throughout my mouth, making me feel happy. The scallops had a pleasant texture, and the umami essence oozed out, making me happy! I once traveled around the country on sleeper trains. I rode the Twilight Express, Hokutosei, and various other trains, enjoying the delicious bento onboard. It was fun. Unfortunately, I don't have as many opportunities for long trips now, but by eating delicious bento like this, I hope to feel a little bit of that travel sentiment. It was truly delicious. I wonder which bento I should try next.

Revisited in October 2020 (No.2116) The shops in Jiyugaoka. When I lived in Setagaya-ku, I used to visit this place often by car, but since being exiled to Saitama, I have completely lost touch. Occasionally, I come here to buy items like Raisin Witch from Ogawaen in Ochanomizu. Jasmine tea 127 yen. The shop started in 1966 as a supermarket mainly importing food products, which was considered innovative at the time. So, any decent reviewer should at least buy Raisin Witch and review it. However, on that day, I had already purchased a large amount of bento boxes, side dishes, and sweets from a department store, so I only bought the above-mentioned products. Thank you for the meal.

I went to buy some late-night snacks and found that it was half price at the supermarket near Ueno station. I decided to get the Ebi Katsu sandwich, as there were only two left. It was delicious with its sweet sauce and crispy shrimp cutlet. It was the perfect size for a late-night snack. I ended up falling asleep and had it for breakfast the next morning, but it was still a perfect size for a meal.

On February 7th, I visited this place which offers a wide variety of bento options, including onigiri, mini katsu burgers, and katsu sandwiches for eating on the go. In the past, they used to sell a delicious hamburger and napolitan sandwich that was so tasty it would make your jaw drop, and I visit here hoping for its comeback. Although Taimeiken is located in Ueno Station, you can't enjoy that sandwich there. The popular onigiri and sauce yakisoba cost 321 yen and have 448k calories, equivalent to a small bag of buttery popcorn. As I was hesitating, a seemingly office lady quickly grabbed the bento, which intrigued me. The yakisoba was not greasy or dry, with just the right amount of oil and a balanced flavor. The onigiri was also delicious.

I went to The Garden to buy the usual eel bowl from Miyagawa (1598 yen) and beef bowl from Imahan (1008 yen) to visit my mother-in-law for New Year's greetings. Today, I ate them without heating them up, so the eel was a bit tough, but considering the price, it was reasonable. The beef bowl also had a fair price.

On October 16th, I made a round trip from Akihabara to Tsuchiura. The train schedule was a bit tricky, so I decided to have lunch near the station. I thought about trying a train station bento for a change. I chose the Oyster and Salmon Bento for 799 yen. If you pay with Suica (cashless), you can get a special deal. The salted salmon goes well with white rice rather than oyster rice. Maybe I was a bit too greedy. It was a slightly light bento.

Located at Ueno Station, THE GARDEN Jiyugaoka Ueno store. This is a convenient store to buy various things. I stopped by to buy some snacks on my way to the accommodation. They have a wide selection of bento boxes, so it's hard to choose. I didn't need a lot, so I chose this one: - Persimmon leaf sushi for 820 yen The service at the register was polite. The staff had a nice atmosphere which left an impression. Even though I've seen local bento boxes at events, I've never bought one myself (laughs). It feels like you can't fully enjoy the atmosphere without buying one at the station... I opened it at the accommodation. It consisted of 2 pieces each of mackerel, sea bream, and gizzard shad. The persimmon leaf sushi with 6 pieces looked beautiful. When you unwrap it, the ingredients are quite big. The taste was not too vinegary, but the quality of the rice was good and delicious. The ingredients were not dry, and the gizzard shad didn't have a strong smell. I thought this was quite good. Persimmon leaves are amazing. The 6 pieces were gone quickly, but I would definitely buy this again.

I was at work, so I was really tempted by the simple lunch option of a pork cutlet rice ball, but I ended up buying a pork cutlet burger, a fish cutlet burger, and a shrimp cutlet burger. For lunch, I had a pork cutlet burger and a fish cutlet burger from Panda brand, and a fruit sandwich from Lawson. The second time Imai Izumi's sandwich seemed a bit tough compared to yesterday's, but it was still good. I might try the rice ball next time. Tetsu always says you should eat cutlets while they're hot, so I made sure to eat them on the same day.

I went to buy a bento to eat with my mother-in-law at the garden. I bought eel from Miyagawa, which she enjoyed last time. I also bought half a beef bowl just in case. I couldn't resist buying a "filet" cutlet rice ball from Mai Izumi as well. The sauce goes well with bread, so it might be better to change the sauce for onigiri.

On June 20th, I visited the restaurant again. This month was my second time using the special express train on the Joban Line. I decided to buy a bento here in the morning and eat it on the train. Last time, I mentioned how delicious the sandwich from Taimeiken was, but unfortunately, it was not available this time. I saw an older man pick up the "High-Quality Nori Bento" for 1,080 yen, and I thought it would be perfect for a review, so I picked it up too. However, it felt too heavy for the price, so I decided not to get it. I ended up choosing the popular Onigiri Set for 321 yen, and it was very delicious. Especially the meatballs and tamagoyaki were good. I accidentally reserved a seat by the aisle. As I was finishing up my bento and only had half a shumai left, an old man came and said that he had the window seat next to me. The overhead lights were red (green for reserved or purchased seats), and the old man showed me his ticket, which was red. But in the next moment, it turned green. Looking at the seats in front, there were still empty red seats. I hope JR can improve their seat allocation system. I left the half shumai on the old man's seat, placed my bag on the shelf, cleaned up my bento, closed the table, and let the old man pass. Then I finished the remaining shumai. It seems like I have been having bad luck or poor timing recently. I hope things get better.

I bought a few different types of bento at The Garden and went to see my mother-in-law. I decided to buy the eel from Miyagawa again because it was reasonably priced at 1480 yen and tasted delicious. It was only half a portion, which is probably why it was priced that way, but it was enough for me. Last time, I felt the sauce in the small packet was too strong when I ate it on the Shinkansen, so this time I put the sauce on and microwaved it before eating. I felt that the sauce settled down and tasted even better than last time.

I had only 30 minutes to transfer from Keisei Ueno to the train, so I stopped by The Garden to look for a bento. I ended up buying the Hageten's Tempura Rice Ball (550 yen before tax). The tempura rice ball is a bit big to eat in one bite, and since the shrimp tempura is on top, it feels like the shrimp might fall off. However, the rice is delicious and the seasoning of the shrimp tempura is just right and tasty.

Purchased a bento box at The Garden. Was undecided on which one to choose, but ended up getting the eel bento box from Tsukiji Miyagawa Honkan for 1598 yen. Ate it cold on the Shinkansen as I couldn't reheat it. It was reasonably priced for an eel bento box, but it seemed to be made with domestic eel. There was no unpleasant fatty taste typical of domestic eel, so it tasted quite good. The sauce that came in a packet was a bit too young, and I regretted using it. Surprisingly, even the pickled vegetables that I usually don't like tasted delicious, which might be due to the long-standing reputation of the restaurant.

In November 2018, I checked out of the Dormy Inn Ueno-Okachimachi, did some shopping at Yoshiike Honten, then met up with a friend at Ueno Station. We had breakfast at Irori An Kiraku, where I had station soba before meeting up with my friend and buying some drinks at THE GARDEN for the Shinkansen ride. They had a variety of drinks available, including small cups of sake, which was convenient for travelers. I purchased three bottles: Fukushima's Junmai Ginjo for 494 yen, Miyagi's Urasama Junmai for 584 yen, and Niigata's Yamanokai Junmai Ginjo for 940 yen. I thought about saving some for Akita, but ended up finishing everything before we reached Sendai, so I just sat back and relaxed for the rest of the journey. Thank you for the meal!

Popular items sold at the "Soraben" corner inside Haneda Airport Terminal 2. In fact, they are also sold at "The Garden" inside Ueno Station. This time, I bought them here. These small fox-shaped rice balls can be eaten in one bite. There are two each of five-grain rice, red rice, chestnut rice, mountain vegetable rice, and plum rice. The taste of each is quite good. The chewy texture and variety are delightful. It's a bit lacking in filling, though. It would make a good snack. The package features a fox, which is the god of the Anamori Inari Shrine in Haneda. There are various blessings associated with it, such as prosperity in business, the legend of the gate that GHQ could not remove, and being a guardian god of the sea and fishing. Eating it brings good luck. Eating it with that in mind makes it even more delicious. Produced by "Japan Airport Delica" (including tax 744 yen).

At Ueno Station Central Exit, there is "THE GARDEN Jiyugaoka" which sells a variety of drinks, side dishes, sweets, souvenirs, etc. However, the most popular section is the bento corner. They have bento boxes from stations all over the country, not just in and around Tokyo. This time, I bought the "Odawara Chicken Rice (890 yen)" and the "Yoshikami Pork Cutlet Sandwich (669 yen)", both of which I tried for the first time. The "Pork Cutlet Sandwich" was disappointing because the bread was too hard. Personally, I think "Maisen" pork cutlet sandwich is much tastier. The "Chicken Rice" looked a bit messy with the minced chicken, which put me off a bit (laughs). I was satisfied with the chicken meat, but the rice was a bit lacking. The carrots had a chemical taste that I didn't like... Sometimes, it's nice to sit on a bench in the park and leisurely enjoy a station bento. Autumn is definitely a great time to eat outside.

This is delicious! It tastes great when served cold. The crispy fried corn costs 666 yen. It was a good find at the Ueno store.