Kinojiya | Review by 王小鈞

This time in Okachimachi, I found a beef cutlet restaurant that left a really good impression on me! Beef Cutlet Aona’s main branch in Okachimachi is a little different from a typical pork cutlet restaurant. Here, you can cook the beef cutlet yourself. The restaurant provides a small griddle, so you can control how well done you want it. Cooking it as you eat is pretty fun!

This time, I chose the MIX beef cutlet with three kinds of meat, so I could try the different textures and flavors of various cuts of beef all at once. I thought it was a great value, and the price was also fairly affordable.

The beef itself is very flavorful and is actually delicious on its own! There are also three kinds of sauces, mustard, and salt to pair with it. Switching between different ways of eating it made every bite feel different.

The outside was fried until fragrant and crispy, and I cooked the beef inside a little more to my preferred doneness. It was really delicious eaten hot!

This time, while shopping along Ueno’s Ameyoko Shopping Street, I was drawn to this dried fruit and nut specialty store! The storefront was filled with all kinds of dried fruits and nuts, with so many varieties that there was almost too much to take in. I couldn’t help but stop and browse for a while.

This is Kojimaya, which has been in business for over 60 years and is known for its extensive selection. From all kinds of nuts, dried apricots, and raisins to mixed dried fruits, there are so many choices. Anyone who likes these kinds of snacks will probably have a hard time leaving empty-handed!

They’re great both as snacks for yourself and as souvenirs to bring back to Taiwan. I originally only stopped to take a look, but the wide array of products kept me browsing for quite a while. When visiting Ameyoko, don’t just focus on cosmetics and drugstore products—this store is also well worth stopping by!

This time, while walking around the Ueno area, I stopped by Shitaya Jinja. It’s only about a 3-minute walk from the station, which is really convenient. You can easily visit along the way without having to set aside extra time.

Shitaya Jinja dates back to the Nara period and is one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines. It is also the origin of the area’s name. I had expected a shrine in the city to be fairly lively, but the grounds were surprisingly quiet and peaceful, with less noise and a greater sense of calm.

Although it isn’t a very large shrine, it’s still quite nice to walk around and experience the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese shrine. If you’re planning to visit the Ueno area, you can stop by for a walk and say a prayer!