Hyperlocal Tokyo

The restaurant was small, with only one waiter and one cook. The waiter was very busy. They only served regular coffee, no cappuccinos or anything fancy, but it was good. The pasta and omelet were also delicious. The restaurant had a nice atmosphere with lots of little decorations. We were Chinese, but there were also French and Italian diners. Unfortunately, it closed promptly at 7:00 PM, so we couldn't continue our conversation and had to move to another place. This is my only regret. I wish it stayed open until 8:00 PM so we could have dinner and discuss business.

I visited for morning tea. It's located on a street that branches off from a busy thoroughfare used by many commuters, so it's not very crowded, especially at this time of day. It's called "Kuyakusho Nishi Yoko Ten" (District Office West Side Shop), but there are two other "Katsura" cafes in the area. Both are within a 500-meter radius, making it a truly local, traditional Japanese coffee shop in Ueno. I was drawn in by the rave reviews and decided to try the egg sandwich. It wasn't the kind where the egg is mashed and mixed with mayonnaise, but rather a thick, fluffy omelet with ham. It's made to order. From behind the counter, I could hear the clinking of a stainless steel measuring cup as the eggs were cracked in and whisked, followed by the satisfying sizzle of the omelet being poured into the pan. The freshly made, warm egg sandwich was delicious, no doubt about it. I enjoyed it with iced coffee and a mini yogurt. The French toast and various homemade cakes on the menu looked tempting too. I'll definitely try them next time.

On Saturdays, the area around Ueno Station is packed, but this charming cafe, just one street back, allowed me to get a table even at noon. It's a retro, old-fashioned cafe with regulars and foreign tourists alike. Due to work, I had lunch here two weeks in a row. The first week, I had the egg and vegetable sandwich with salad and coffee lunch set. The second week, I ordered the 'Katsura' sandwich, cake, and coffee lunch set. The bread was soft and had a gentle flavor. The 'Katsura' sandwich is a ham and vegetable toast sandwich, but it's light and perfect for a light meal. Personally, I prefer coffee that isn't too acidic, so I gave it four stars.

The thick-cut butter toast is absolutely divine! The service is also top-notch. It's a truly special place, right by Ueno Station but with a calming and cozy atmosphere.

This is a true oasis, a cafe near Ueno Station that thankfully opens early on weekends and holidays. It's also a welcome sight to see that it's non-smoking, which is why I decided to visit. On a cold morning with light rain, the cafe was warmly welcoming. The cafe has a simple, unassuming charm. Inside, I saw several elderly couples, likely local residents, dressed in casual attire. Most of the seats were occupied, and I, a solo diner, was guided to a large table where I shared with others. I ordered the morning sandwich and coffee and spent some time staring at the little trinkets on the table (laughs). I was impressed by the sugar pot with the character '桂' (Katsura) on it while I waited. My order was an egg and ham sandwich. The kitchen is almost completely open, so the delicious aroma of the frying eggs filled the air, providing a sense of comfort. The coffee arrived first. It had a slight acidity, but somehow it felt just right for this cafe, even though it was my first visit. Then came the sandwich, with its lovely yellow and pink hues. It was a cold, rainy day, almost like it might snow, but this place felt like spring had arrived, bringing warmth to my heart. The sandwich was quite thick, and the slightly salty egg omelet was perfectly balanced with the soft bread, creating a simple yet delightful experience. For dessert, I ordered a cheesecake. It was small but delicious, and I wished I could have had more. It was a simple, everyday sandwich that I could probably make myself, but I knew I wouldn't be able to replicate it. It was a delicious meal. Thank you. It was a bit amusing to find a tiny piece of eggshell in the omelet (laughs). When I paid, I was given a discount coupon for my next visit. I wanted to use it, but I also felt hesitant, thinking it might reduce the cafe's profits. Despite this, the kind service warmed my heart as I stepped back out into the cold, rainy weather.