Ueno is best known as the home of Ueno Zoo, located in the equally famous Ueno Park. Historically regarded as a working-class area, Ueno’s low-lying land—part of Tokyo’s traditional Shitamachi (downtown) often saw lower land values than other parts of the city.
Much of Ueno centres around the sprawling Ueno Park, which houses many of Tokyo’s major cultural institutions, including prominent museums and galleries. Within the park, you’ll find the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the National Science Museum. There’s also the Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall (Tokyo Bunka Kaikan), a large concert hall that hosts performances year-round.
Probably the most popular attraction in the park is Ueno Zoo (Onshi Ueno Dōbutsuen), home to a wide variety of animals, including standout exhibits like the gorillas and tigers. Established in 1882, the zoo plays an important role in wildlife conservation and education.
During cherry blossom season, Ueno Park bursts to life with thousands of visitors enjoying hanami (flower-viewing) picnics under the blooming trees. With over 1,000 cherry trees, the park becomes a sea of soft pink from late March through to early May. Another beautiful seasonal feature is the blanket of lotus flowers covering Shinobazu Pond, which surrounds Benten Island and Bentendō, a temple dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten. The pond is actually made up of three parts: the Boat Pond, Lotus Pond, and Cormorant Pond. A scenic walking path with a 2-kilometre loop makes it a peaceful stroll. When it’s time for a break, there are plenty of al fresco-style cafés in and around the park to enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.
Another must-see in Ueno is the bustling Ameyoko Market, which runs along the Yamanote Line tracks from Ueno Station to Okachimachi Station. Originally a post-war black market trading in American goods, Ameyoko is now a legal and lively market with a classic Asian street-market feel. Bargain hunters can browse everything from fashion and cosmetics to jewellery and food, with the aroma of dried spices and fresh seafood in the air. Around the Okachimachi end of the market, you’ll also find a cluster of sporting goods stores selling everything from golf clubs to tennis gear.
Ueno Station is the area’s main transport hub and one of Tokyo’s major stations. It’s served by several JR lines, including the Yamanote Line and Shinkansen, as well as Tokyo Metro’s Ginza and Hibiya lines. The station provides the most convenient access to Ueno Park. And before you head off, make sure to stroll through Ameyoko Market, many of its stalls are tucked under the rail lines. Just follow the tracks down to Okachimachi Station and see what bargains you can find along the way.
