Hyperlocal Tokyo

Family Gathering for a Meal - Obon Lunch After visiting the graves at Kan'ei-ji Temple, we had our traditional family meal. This time, we went to the Japanese restaurant, Inshoutei, located in Ueno Park. With my niece's family being away for a while, there were 14 of us, but it was still quite lively. We enjoyed the Hanakago Bento. The second-floor tatami room with its beautiful view made for a very pleasant time. We were grateful for my mother's long life and prayed that we could all gather together again in good health.

After visiting the Tanaka Ikkyū exhibition, I stopped by the Inmatsutei restaurant and enjoyed the Hanakago Honzen (flower basket full course meal). The restaurant has a historical charm, and I was able to enjoy my meal at a counter seat with a view of the outside scenery. The seats were spaced apart, allowing for a relaxing dining experience. While the menu focuses on tofu dishes, there were also dishes like bonito sashimi and grilled fish. Although there are many seats, I recommend making a reservation.

I visited this restaurant for lunch on a Monday in June, having made a reservation beforehand. I booked a month in advance, but due to the fact that we were a group of four, there were no available slots during peak lunch hours like 12 pm. We ended up having a leisurely lunch starting at 2 pm! Lunch reservations on weekends and holidays are only available for the "Hanakago Honzen" set, I was informed. I made the reservation online, and since I was pregnant, I inquired about the possibility of food modifications in the notes section. The restaurant kindly called me back to confirm and accommodate my request. The restaurant is located near the Park Exit of Ueno Station. After exiting the station, turn left and walk into the park. It's about a 10-minute walk. The entrance seems to be separate for sweets and meals. We entered from the right side, towards the back. At the entrance, they take your shoes and suitcases. The traditional Japanese building has a charming atmosphere, with plenty of wood used throughout, creating a calming ambiance. Even the restrooms have subtle hints of traditional Japanese decor, with something resembling a doll and an emperor figure marking the men's and women's restrooms. The food was all incredibly delicious! The chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) in the first course had a surprising texture, with a bit of mochi-like consistency from the sesame tofu inside. The yuba sashimi (tofu skin sashimi) was incredibly smooth and rich, absolutely divine! The second course, the "Hanakago" (flower basket), was meticulously crafted, with each dish a delight to savor. The fried dishes in the third course were crispy and light. The bean rice was made with roasted soybeans, and the saltiness of the beans and the rice were perfectly balanced, making it impossible to stop eating. The okara tea was a new experience for me, with a flavor reminiscent of a blend of soba tea and black bean tea. It was delicious and warming. The dessert that day was white wine jelly and a puffed rice cake. I had the jelly, which had been modified for me, but both options included watermelon, kiwi, and pineapple, all sweet and delicious. I requested modifications to avoid raw fish, raw meat, and alcohol. The sashimi in the first course was replaced with konjac, and the white wine jelly in the dessert was replaced with green apple jelly. The bean rice and okara tea were also available for purchase. Since we were a group of four, we were seated in a semi-private room. The room had sliding doors and bamboo blinds, with a glimpse of the garden through the blinds, creating a very relaxing atmosphere. The room also had a sunken kotatsu (heated table), which was very comfortable for me as a pregnant woman. The air conditioning in the room was quite strong, and I felt cold at one point, so I asked for the temperature to be adjusted. It was still cold, and I felt bad asking again, but when I did, they turned it off completely. It wasn't a particularly hot day, so turning it off was just right. The food and atmosphere were fantastic, but there were a few points where I felt the staff could have been more attentive. First, when I called to inquire about food modifications, I also asked if they could do anything special for my mother's birthday. They said they could provide an anmitsu (sweet bean jelly dessert), so I requested it. However, on the day of the meal, my mother's dessert was the same as everyone else's, and there was no anmitsu. We had to leave for the Shinkansen, so I didn't say anything, but it was disappointing since she was looking forward to it. Also, since we were in a semi-private room, the sliding doors were opened and closed every time food was served. They were opened with quite a bit of force and suddenly, which caused my bag to be knocked over and crushed a few times. I moved my bag to a different location, but it would have been nice if they had called out before entering or opened the doors with a little less force. Regarding the air conditioning adjustment, when I asked for it, they closed the sliding doors and shouted "It's cold!" in a loud voice. I felt they could have been a bit more considerate. They also didn't mention that the bean rice was refillable, which I found out from other reviews. I understand that some people might not mind these things, but considering the delicious food and charming atmosphere, I felt compelled to write this review in hopes that the restaurant can become even better. The staff who took our order and handled the payment were very friendly and pleasant! I look forward to visiting again to enjoy the food and the beautiful garden. Thank you for the delicious meal!

It was my first visit in five years. I had always seen the line and made a reservation this time. I had the ¥2,950 course. In addition to the items in the photo, it included grilled fish with a sweet and savory glaze, and pickled onions. The rice was black bean rice, and the miso soup was refillable. For dessert, there was a sweet rice cake (fu-manju) and coffee. I was very satisfied with the food and the atmosphere, and I was able to relax and enjoy myself.

When it comes to dining in Ueno, there are three iconic establishments: 'Inshoutei,' 'Seiyoken,' and 'Umekawatei.' Inshoutei is a historic restaurant where you can enjoy delicious kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine) and lunch. Their lunch is reasonably priced, and you can even get refills of the bean rice and red miso soup. Reservations fill up quickly, but if you arrive around 11:00 AM, you can usually get a table. The interior is larger than it appears, so there are plenty of seats. The service is excellent during the meal, but the reception at the entrance leaves something to be desired. Perhaps it's the kind of place where you just walk in without saying anything. It's quite common to see customers waiting impatiently.