Ueno Park

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Ueno Park is a large park located in Ueno next to Ueno station. It is comprised of three main levels, The lower level at the southern end with the pods and Ueno Zoo, the middle level that is at street level with Ueno station and has a couple of shrines, and the upper level that has the museums and more shrines. The upper level is also where the Sakura and Plum trees are located.

It is very easy to spend a day in Ueno park going through the museums and shrines. You can also easily branch off and do some shopping and explore the neighborhoods around Ueno park.

The lower level consists of three ponds one of which has boat rentals including swan boat rentals. The lower level also has the Shinobazunoike Buddhist temple which is located on an island in the middle of the main pond. The Ueno Zoo surrounds one of the ponds on this level.

The middle level is the smallest and can be accessed from the Keisi and JR station exits easily. There are some vending machines and some low walls where you can sit and enjoy a snack and watch the pigeons. Located around the corner and past the ponds on the middle level is a Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple. The Shinto shrine has a series of Torii gates that go up the hill to the upper level.

The Upper level contains shops and eateries located on the southern end of the park. You can pick up some food and throw a picnic here along the sakaru lined paths of the upper level. There is an elevator to get from the upper level to the train stations for those who cannot walk stairs. The upper level consists of tree lined walkways and open courtyards which are surrounded by museums. At the north end of Ueno park is a large fountain. And if you get thirsty and want a refreshment there is a nice Starbucks located here in Ueno Park.

The Ueno Toshogu shrine is located here and has a Pagoda and Golden doors. Also located here is the Ueno Daibutsu temple.

Ueno Park also has two monuments to Samurai. The first is the Saigo Takamori Statue, which depicts a Samurai and his dog. This statue is considered to depict the last true Samurai of Japanese culture, The other monument is to the Shogitai which was an elite Samurai regiment that was assigned to protect a temple and were almost exterminated in the Battle of Ueno in 1868. The monument sits on the site where the Samurai died and was maintained by the Samurai’s families until the late 20th century when the city of Tokyo took over the monument.

When to go

In late March and early April the parks Sakura trees are in bloom. The park also has plum trees that bloom just before the Sakura trees bloom. The park is open year round.

What is nearby?

Ueno park is located in the Eastern part of Tokyo and the following areas are within a 30 minute train ride:

Asakusa
Nakamise Shopping District
Akihabara
Tokyo Station
Imperial Palace
Tokyo Skytree
Asakusa Shrine
Nezu Shrine

Inside the park itself you can visit the following places:

Ueno Zoo
Shogatai Monument
Toshogu Shrine
Dsibutsi Shrine
Shinobazunoikr Bentendo Temple
Ueno Royal Museum
National Museum of Western Art
National Museum of Nature and Science
Ueno Park fountain
Fixv Storeied Pagoda
Tokyo National Museum

How to get there?

Ueno park is located adjacent to the JR/Metro Ueno Station and also the Keisei Ueno Station.

The address is:

Japan, 〒110-0007 Tokyo, Taito City, Uenokoen, 8−・池之端三丁目

Hours of Operation

The park is open from 5 am to 11 pm daily

The Museums, shrines/temples, and zoo all have their own operating hours.

Cost

The park is free and open to the public. The shrines and temples are also free and open to the public. If you want to see the inside of the Toshogu shrine you will need to pay for that part of the srhine.

The Zoo and Museums all have a fee to get in to them.