Ueno Park – Tokyo

Shinobazuno Pond in Ueno Park
The boat rental at Shinobazuno Pond with the Tokyo Skytre in the distance.

Ueno Park is a large public park located in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1873 and is one of the city’s most popular destinations for both locals and tourists. The park covers an area of over 130 acres and is home to a number of important cultural and historical landmarks, as well as a wide variety of plants and flowers.

One of the most notable landmarks in Ueno Park is the Ueno Zoo, which is home to over 3,000 animals from more than 400 different species. Visitors can see a wide variety of animals, including giant pandas, elephants, tigers, and gorillas.

Another popular attraction in Ueno Park is the Tokyo National Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Japanese art and artifacts in the world. The museum’s collection includes over 110,000 items, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and textiles.

Ueno Park is also known for its beautiful cherry blossom trees, which bloom each spring and attract large crowds of people who come to view the flowers and enjoy hanami, the Japanese tradition of flower viewing.

In addition to its cultural and historical landmarks, Ueno Park offers a range of recreational activities, including row/pedal boating on Shinobazunike Pond, jogging and cycling on its many paths, and picnicking in its spacious green spaces.

Bentendo Hall lit up at night

Another popular attraction of Ueno Park is Bentendo Hall, an octagonal temple found on an island in Shinobazu Pond. The temple is popular, particularily in spring during Hanami, where delightful food stalls line the path to the temple as many head to the temple for worship. 

In general, Ueno Park has a whole lot to offer, and depending on what you plan on doing at the park, one could easily spend an hour, half a day, or even a full day simply exploring the various activities, museums, and sites contained in Ueno Park. 

Hours and Admission

Where To Stay

Mustard Hotel Shibuya

Economy hotel located near Shibuya Station

Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya-jingumae

Stylish hotel located mere minutes away from Shibuya

Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel

5 Star Hotel with unforgettable views of Shibuya and excellent amenities
Booking.com

Access

Ueno Park can be found directly outside of JR Ueno Station, following the Park exit. 

From Tokyo Station, Ueno Station is only a five minute train ride on numerous train lines, with departures every few minutes. From Tokyo Station, it will only cost 170JPY.

From Shibua Station, it is a longer journey of about 30 minutes to Ueno Station, costing 210JPY. 

Are you planning a trip to Japan soon? Then you really should consider purchasing a JR Rail Pass, especially if you are planning on hitting all the major tourist cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Sapporo. 

The JR Rail Pass makes getting around the country easy, and can save you several hundreds in travel expenses. All you need to do is just show your pass at the ticket gate, and you have access to any and all JR rail lines across the country, and not just the standard commuter trains, but luxury trains, and even the world famous Shinkansen (Bullet Train). A JR Rail Pass is an essential item for any visitor to Japan. Buy your pass today by clicking here now!

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