Best Things to Do in Ueno

Ameyoko Shopping Street is a lively shopping street stretching approximately 400 meters from Ueno Station to Okachimachi Station. This area, which developed from a postwar black market, is famous for its inexpensive food, clothing, and accessories.

Shinobazunoike Pond is located in Ueno Park and is a popular recreational spot rich in nature. The pond is covered with lotus trees, and beautiful lotus flowers bloom in summer. There is also a boat launch and Benten-do Hall around the pond, where visitors can enjoy strolling and boating. For Japanese people, it is a precious place where they can feel nature in the city.

Ueno Toshogu (Ueno Toshogu Shrine) was built in 1627 and is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The shrine is characterized by its gorgeous pavilions and stone lanterns lining the approach to the shrine. The shrine also has one of the oldest bronze lanterns in Japan and a five-story pagoda with a history of over 400 years. For Japanese people, it is a place where they can feel the culture and history of the Edo period, and is especially crowded with visitors during Hatsumode and festivals.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, opened in 1926, is located in Ueno Park. The museum features special and permanent exhibitions of domestic and international art works, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of art genres. The diversity of exhibits, from contemporary to classical art, is an attractive feature of the museum. For Japanese people, it is a familiar place for art appreciation, attracting many art fans and students.

The National Science Museum, founded in 1877, is located in Ueno Park. Exhibits cover a wide range of fields including natural history, science and technology, and industrial history, with dinosaur fossils and models of space probes among the most popular exhibits. With many interactive exhibits, it is a place of learning that both children and adults can enjoy. For Japanese people, it is a place to learn about the development of science and technology and the mysteries of nature, and many schools visit as part of their education.

Founded in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum is the oldest museum in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, the museum exhibits a collection of about 110,000 pieces of Japanese and Asian cultural properties. In particular, many national treasures and important cultural properties are on display, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture. It is an important facility for Japanese people to preserve and pass on their cultural heritage, and is also used as an educational destination for schools.

Shin-Yingi-Tei is a historic teahouse located in Ueno Park. This teahouse has been in existence since the Edo period (1603-1867), and visitors can enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets while admiring the beautiful Japanese garden. The seasonal views are attractive, especially the cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in fall.

The Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan and was opened in 1882.

Located in Ueno Park, it is home to a variety of animals from around the world, including pandas and gorillas. The giant pandas are especially popular and attract many tourists.

For Japanese people, it is a leisure spot for both children and adults, and a place to learn about nature and ecosystems through interaction with animals.