On November 4th, PARCOya (PARCO_ya), based on the concept of "Parco for adults," will open in Ueno. This will be PARCO's first new store within Tokyo's 23 wards in 44 years, and we bring you a report on the gourmet and shopping information at PARCOya.
PARCOya, which will open on the first to sixth floors as part of the newly constructed Ueno Frontier Tower next to Matsuzakaya Ueno, will house 68 tenants. Approximately 80% of the tenants will be companies making their first appearance in the Ueno Okachimachi area, while 20% will be companies and brands with deep ties to the local area and rooted in manufacturing.
Ueno Yabusoba, a long-established restaurant founded in 1892, will open its first store in the building on the sixth floor of PARCOya's gourmet floor, "Kofuku Kairo." Hoping to allow more people to enjoy the flavors passed down through generations, the store will be introducing new "Japanese galettes" such as the "Buckwheat Galette" (1,200 yen) and the "Dessert Soba Tsuzumi" (750 yen). Other popular restaurants include the hamburger steak specialty store "Kuromaru," "Ueno Yakiniku Yozando," "Kanazawa Umaimon Sushi," and "Sendai Gyutan Charcoal Grill Rikyu," all of which are sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. For a shopping break, we recommend "Anmitsu Mihashi" (3rd floor), which has its flagship store in Ueno, or "Kurogi Otona" (1st floor), a new Japanese-style cafe and bar by the popular Japanese restaurant "Kurogi," whose reservations are always difficult to get. "Anmitsu Mihashi," a sweets shop with a constant queue, offers anmitsu and oshiruko in a spacious 34-seat space, and also sells anmitsu as souvenirs. "Kitchen Otona Kurogi" (1st floor), a cafe and bar open from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM, offers "sophisticated Japanese sweets for adults," including its signature Japanese-style parfaits, as well as Parcoya-exclusive shaved ice and warabi mochi (bracken-starch dumplings). The hearty "Matcha Parfait" (1,800 yen), layered with warabi mochi, ice cream, castella, soft serve ice cream, and more, is a masterpiece with just the right amount of sweetness and the bitterness of matcha. Light meals such as hot sandwiches and an original blend of coffee created in collaboration with Sarutahiko Coffee to go with Japanese sweets are also available. "Hibiya Kadan," also located on the 1st floor, has opened a new concept shop displaying art and plants in a new initiative in collaboration with Tokyo University of the Arts. Additionally, collaborations with local businesses will include Yoshida & Co.'s specialty store "KURA CHIKA by PORTER" (2nd floor), hat brand CA4LA (1st floor), which originated in Ameyoko, and ethical fashion brand Mother House (3rd floor).
If you visit Parcoya, be sure to check out the wide selection of panda goods associated with Xiang Xiang, the panda born at Ueno Zoo. From food to stationery and other miscellaneous goods, you'll find plenty of panda merchandise throughout the building. Also on the first basement floor, the new concept shop "Ueno ga, Suki. Station," which also doubles as a tourist information center, offers a wide selection of Ueno souvenirs, from traditional crafts to works by up-and-coming creators like those sold in museum shops. This makes it a great spot for foreign tourists and those heading out to Ueno to find useful information and souvenirs.
