Hyperlocal Tokyo

This is the shop that was featured on the TV show "Matsuko's Unknown World." They open at 3:00 PM, but you have to sign up on the waiting list at 2:30 PM. When I arrived around 2:30 PM, there were about four groups ahead of me. After signing up, I took a stroll through the park and returned to the shop before 3:00 PM to wait for my name to be called. At this time, you also choose your order, either cream anmitsu or anmitsu. I chose cream anmitsu. When my name was called and I entered the shop, they served me a delicious cup of tea. The shop was quiet and had a pleasant atmosphere without any background music. The cream anmitsu was absolutely delicious, just as the reviews said. It had a wide variety of ingredients, and I could taste the flavor of each one. The different textures in one bowl were a delightful experience, making me feel like I was indulging in something special. The system might be a bit complicated, but the taste is worth it. I would definitely visit again! It was truly delicious. Thank you so much!

A sweet shop open from 3 PM for two hours! Located a 5-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station, I visited "Kissaco", a renowned confectionery and sweet shop established in 1875. It's the sweet shop of "Inshoutei", a 2021 Japanese Cuisine Hundred Famous Shops located in Ueno Park. It was also featured on "Matsuko's Unknown World" for its anmitsu with o麩 (wheat gluten). I arrived at 3:30 PM on a weekday and was the second in line. For some reason, it took almost 30 minutes to get in. I wrote my name, the number of people in my party, and the menu on the waiting list. I ordered the cream anmitsu for ¥800. It was served in about 10 minutes. The anmitsu with o麩 had a scoop of matcha and vanilla ice cream on top. The rich vanilla and slightly bitter matcha ice cream were a perfect match, and the agar-agar and o麩 were delicious. I enjoyed it all the way to the end. They use a rod to serve the sweets, and with about 20 seats, it's essentially a complete turnover system. It would be great if they could review their operations, such as serving one group at a time, to shorten the waiting time.

I visited "Kissa Ky" (喫茶去), a cafe located within Ueno Onshi Park, on a weekend afternoon around 3:30 PM. This cafe has a challenging operating time of 3 PM to 5 PM, so I went there with no expectations. To my surprise, I was able to sign in and enter. Please note that I am unfamiliar with the cafe's system. The menu had four options: ✔ Soy milk matcha ice cream ✔ Cream anmitsu ✔ Matcha ✔ Anmitsu I ordered the most popular item, the cream anmitsu for ¥900. It had an interesting visual presentation! It was a three-layered dessert with matcha, soy milk ice cream, and red bean paste. Beneath that were three types of chilled agar-agar: clear, matcha, and black sugar. Each had a distinct flavor. There were also other ingredients. The matcha was very rich, the agar-agar was jiggly, and the overall sweetness was subtle. You pour black sugar syrup over it, creating an elegant flavor. It was absolutely delicious! Thank you for the meal!

A sweet shop located in Ueno Park. They only have four items on the menu. I ordered the cream anmitsu. It was incredibly delicious. The cream, toasted wheat gluten, and red bean paste combined for a refreshing and flavorful experience. Adding black honey syrup for a flavor change was another delicious touch. The honey, completely integrated, became like a high-quality sauce. The toasted wheat gluten was also chewy. Its texture was fantastic compared to mochi balls. The first round can accommodate up to eight groups or sixteen people. After that, guests are seated in the order their names were written down. Considering the location, the charming atmosphere, and the delicious food, the price is reasonable. The service was also kind and wonderful. They accept credit cards. I definitely want to go back.

I visited the restaurant hoping to try their anmitsu (a Japanese dessert). Despite the gloomy weather, there were about 20 groups waiting 30 minutes before opening, showcasing its popularity. Upon entering the store in order of arrival, I noticed that there were still customers from the nearby restaurant, 'Inmatsutei'. I had heard rumors about the long wait, so I was prepared for it. However, the interior was surprisingly spacious, and it seemed like it could accommodate around 20 groups. (Although the tables were spaced out, it didn't feel cramped.) Everyone was enjoying their cream anmitsu with ice cream. The refined and high-quality mochi (pounded rice cake) was so delicious that I wanted to buy some to take home. Considering the quality and quantity of the anmitsu, as well as the value of the space, it was a very worthwhile tea time. I felt that there was a reason why people were willing to wait for a long time to eat here. The meticulous craftsmanship raised my expectations considerably, and I decided to try the lunch at 'Inmatsutei' next time.