Ueno Yorozuya Shuho is the first spot on our list and a truly unique one. This izakaya invites you to experience the Japanese drinking custom called “kaku-uchi,” meaning to drink directly at a liquor store. It’s just a brief walk away from the station but still nestled in a calmer, more relaxed part of Ueno’s downtown area.

Yorozuya Shuho originally was a long-established liquor store that could look back on a history of more than 90 years – until the place was refurbished and renovated. With a cozy warehouse-style feel, the motto of Yorozuya Shuho now is “introducing the proper taste of sake to younger generations.” Thus, the fun experience of “kaku-uchi” started being offered!

The bright and open space has a very warm, welcoming atmosphere to it and the colorful mural on the wall gives the place a dash of modern art. The show owner herself is a woman who likes a good Japanese sake, so it really is a great place for female travelers on the lookout for a couple of drinks.

The best part about kaku-uchi is the incredible value. Not only is the draft beer affordable, but so are all the home-made dishes!

Even entire bottles of sparkling wine are readily available to celebrate your trip, a great evening, or simply yourself.

The best and most delicious deal you can enjoy at Ueno Yorozuya Shuho is their popular set, which includes a draft beer and your choice of one dish: gyoza (dumplings), beef tongue stew, or offal stew.

The offal stew is made from pork offal and plenty of vegetables, boiled in a simple yet heavenly delicious soy sauce-based broth. Even if you’ve never had offal before, this classic Japanese comfort food is a gourmet experience so tasty, it’ll leave you craving for more!

The beef tongue stew combines beef tongue with a savory demi-glace sauce and vegetables. This is a popular dish of what can be called Japanese Western-style cuisine and makes a wonderful snack to be enjoyed while sipping a cold beer.

Gyoza, Chinese-style dumplings, are the safest choice for everyone who doesn’t feel like experimenting with food. The light filling of pork, cabbage, and other ingredients will make gyoza one of your favorite beer foods in no time.

Another characteristic of the kaku-uchi drinking experience are the sweets and canned foods! The shop offers a variety of readily-packed delights that can be hard to find anywhere else, so make use of the casual experience and taste your way through Japan’s cans!

Ueno Yorozuya Shuho is a place where everyone comes together to enjoy casual drinking in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, no matter age, gender, or nationality. Have a chat with the local regulars and make new friends – everyone’s friendly here!

Spot number two is called Ajinofue and can be found under the viaduct that connects to Ameyokocho, near Okachimachi Station. It’s a standing bar managed by Yoshiike, one of Ueno’s most famous and long-established seafood stores.

The first floor offers a spacious, warm standing space to casually enjoy a drink at, while tables can be found on the second floor for those who’d like to rest their legs after a long day of sightseeing. The bright, relaxed environment makes Ajinofue a great spot for women by themselves or groups of friends.

One of the biggest charms of Ajinofue is its wonderful selection of seafood-centered side dishes. All sorts of little gourmet gems are arranged side by side at the counter, ready to be picked up and enjoyed! Since the bar is managed by a famous seafood wholesaler supplying various department stores around, you can look forward to amazing quality and taste!

Ajinofue’s system is simple. You simply choose the dish you want to eat, bring it to the cash register, and enjoy it anywhere you like!

These are the three delicacies we chose—a delightful mix of sashimi and grilled treats! As you can see, you can craft your own dinner, perfectly tailored to your favorite flavors. If you’re in the mood for sashimi, we highly recommend trying the "3 kinds of prime sashimi" plate, shown above.

This is a piece of chu-toro, medium-fatty tuna. It is amazingly fresh, has a rich tuna flavor, and is so soft, it basically melts on your tongue! The sea bream and salon are equally delicious, so don’t hold back and indulge in prime sashimi for an astonishingly low price!

The grilled salmon (left) was caught in Hokkaido and directly brought to Ajinofue, offering a uniquely delicious taste of Japan’s northernmost prefecture. Our other plate features grilled chicken tails and little meatballs, both made from chicken meat. They’re juicy, flavorful, and the perfect snack to pair with a cold beer!

Of course, Ajinofue also offers an amazing selection of drinks on the menu. We always start with the refreshing lemon sour as our go-to choice and work from there!

The Japanese sake selection focuses mainly on offerings from Niigata. If you’re new to sake, we recommend starting with Koshi no Hakucho. It’s a reliable choice for beginners and even comes in a cute bottle!

The menu features several renowned sake options, such as Koshi no Kanbai, Secchubai, and Kintsuru. This traditional Japanese drink is served in a glass accompanied by the iconic masu box.

Ajinofue pairs its delicious sashimi and snack offerings with an excellent selection of Japanese sake, all in a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere that is both welcoming and fun. Whether you come alone or with friends, you’re sure to enjoy the experience!

Last stop before heading home: Niku no Ohyama! This place is one of Ueno’s most famous eating and drinking hot spots, a long-established meat wholesaler that has tickled the taste buds of millions of Tokyoites with its heavenly dishes. Next to the take-away counter, the shop offers a standing bar, inviting you to have a drink and a hearty meal!

Because of its nature as a standing bar, Niku no Ohyama is Ueno’s perfect spot to just drop by yourself. You’ll always manage to find a spot!

Simply order at the cash register right next to the glass case that contains all the yummy fried treats. Having to wait in line can be a real boon here, as you get the chance to look at the different dishes and choose which one you like.

Be sure to try Hoppy, the iconic drink of Tokyo’s old downtown area. Hoppy tastes like beer but isn’t—on its own, it contains just 0.8% alcohol and is typically mixed with shochu. At Niku no Ohyama, a bottle of Hoppy (called “soto”) is served with a generous portion of shochu (called “naka”), providing enough for three full cups from one bottle.

For snacks, we highly recommend starting with the “special menchi.” Menchi, short for “menchi-katsu,” is a breaded and deep-fried cutlet made from ground meat. This fried delicacy smells so enticing, it’ll make your mouth water as soon as you unwrap the paper!

As a meat specialty shop, Niku no Ohyama offers three types of menchi: the “yamitsuki menchi” (yamitsuki literally means “addictive”), the “special menchi,” and the “takumi no wagyu menchi” (featuring premium Japanese beef). The rising quality of beef explains the difference between these options—simply choose the one that suits your mood and taste!

In addition to menchi, Niku no Ohyama serves a variety of snacks, ensuring you won’t leave hungry. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

If you really want to treat yourself, opt for the takumi no wagyu menchi. Made with the finest Japanese beef, this luxurious snack offers a delicious yet approachable taste of Niku no Ohyama’s expertise.

Beneath the crispy breading lies a juicy filling that bursts with the rich umami flavor of beef from the very first bite. This menchi is delightful on its own, but adding a little sauce elevates it to a whole new level!

While Niku no Ohyama specializes in meat, they also offer a variety of other dishes, so why not explore the menu and try something new?

One of them is the “ebi-katsu”, a deep-friend cutlet of soft and juicy shrimp meat! Its springy texture and natural flavor make this a must-try for every seafood lover.

After a long day of sightseeing in Ueno, why not go bar-hopping and check out all three spots on our list? Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for a cozy spot or planning a fun evening with friends, you can look forward to a welcoming atmosphere, delicious dishes, and plenty of drinks to enjoy!

Wrtitten by Paricco