Known for nature, museums, and cheap drinking spots, Ueno is among the most popular neighborhoods in Tokyo. With its many attractions, you can spend a whole day just exploring the area. Check out some of the best things to do in Ueno below:
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Top Attractions in Ueno
Ueno Park
This vast park is the heart of Ueno and is a popular cherry blossom spot. A whole day is not enough to explore the park in its entirety as it houses 5 museums and a zoo, among other points of interest.
Shinobazu Pond
Located inside Ueno Park, Shinobazu Ike is a large lotus pond that attracts a lot of fauna. You will often see ducks, turtles, and fish swimming in the waters. The lotus flowers bloom in summer.
Ueno Zoo
Arguably Tokyo’s most popular park, Ueno Zoo is known particularly for its giant pandas. For this reason, many snacks and sweets around the area are shaped or designed after pandas.
Ameyoko
This vibrant marketplace straddles Ueno and Okachimachi and sells almost everything and anything at affordable prices. It’s also one of the few places in Japan where sellers are open to haggling.
Kyu Iwasaki Teien
This public park used to be the residence of the Iwasaki clan, the founders of the multinational company, Mitsubishi. Here, you will find a gorgeous Western-style mansion, a Japanese building, and a billiards house designed in the late 1800s.
Kaneiji
Kaneiji was once a powerful temple with strong ties to the Tokugawa clan. It used to own the lot where Ueno Park now stands, but lost it to imperial forces in 1868. Today, the quiet temple is located north of Ueno Park.
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum houses an impressive collection of ancient Japanese art. It also showcases Asian antiquities found along the Silk Road.
National Museum of Nature & Science
The National Museum of Nature & Science is one of Japan’s largest natural history museums. It has extensive exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, plants, and more. The taxidermied remains of Hachiko are also preserved in the museum.
The Ueno Royal Museum
The only private museum in Ueno Park, the Ueno Royal Museum has no permanent collection but frequently holds exhibits surrounding different creative themes. It is also managed by the oldest art association in Japan.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is a great place to visit if you want to see a variety of Japanese art. The museum has a large collection of both traditional and contemporary art, so there is something for everyone. It is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot as well as a place to see beautiful autumn colors.
Unusual Places in Ueno
If you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path, here are some of the most curious places you’ll find in Ueno.
Shitamachi Museum
This museum is dedicated to the traditional culture of old Tokyo. It features exhibits on everything from clothing and food to crafts and traditional performing arts.
Ueno Daibutsu
The Ueno Daibutsu was a large bronze statue of Buddha originally erected in 1631. During the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, the statue fell apart, but the face remained intact. This bronze face is what’s preserved and worshipped within the premises of Ueno Park. Because it survived such a large-scale disaster, it’s a popular place of worship for students taking entrance exams and finding employment.
Giant Panda Mailbox
If you ever find yourself near Ueno Zoo, make sure to check out the Giant Panda Mailbox! This uniquely-designed post box is located near the entrance of the zoo.
Ana Inari
Most foreign visitors come here to strike a pose with the rows of torii gates a la Fushimi Inari, but curious explorers find the hidden fox shrine more intriguing. The story goes that the founder of Kaneiji Temple accidentally displaced a fox deity upon building the temple, so he built a hole in a cave to serve as the fox’s new residence. This shrine is now tucked in a narrow alley in Ueno Park and is barred with a gate. Entry is possible, but unfortunately, taking photos of this “fox in a hole” is not allowed.
Best Budget Shops in Ueno
Ueno is home to a lot of budget-friendly stores, so you can find good deals on clothes, food, and other items. Here are some of the best ones:
ABAB
This department store caters to teens and women in their 20s. I used to come here a lot as a student because they had the most affordable clothing I could find.
Niki no Kashi
Located in Ameyoko, Niki no Kashi is home to a variety of sweet shops, selling everything from traditional Japanese sweets like dorayaki to more Western-style desserts like cake and ice cream. If you’re looking for a sugar rush, this is the place to go.
Domremy Outlet
Another sweet score for the sweet tooths. This “sweets outlet” sells cake slices, pastries, and other desserts for a fraction of the cost.
Where to Eat in Ueno
If you’re looking for a casual place to eat in Ueno, there are plenty of options. Here are some of my picks:
Park Side Cafe Ueno
This cafe is a great place to stop for a quick bite. They have sandwiches, salads, and pastries, as well as coffee and tea. Located inside Ueno Park, you get to have a lovely meal while gazing at trees.
goodspoon Cheese Sweets & Cheese Brunch
This place is known for its mouthwatering cheese dishes. They serve brunch all day and have a selection of wine and beer.
Yanagi Chaya
A must for matcha lovers! Yanagi Chaya offers matcha-flavored sweets including matcha parfait and matcha tiramisu.
Coffee Shop Galant
This retro-style Japanese cafe (kissaten) in Ueno gets really busy during the weekends. If you want to enjoy your coffee and sweets while enjoying a Taisho-Showa atmosphere, this is the place to go. Visit early or on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ueno known for?
Ueno is most famous for its expansive park, which is a great place to relax or stroll around. It’s also home to many museums, including the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Western Art. Additionally, Ueno has a lively shopping district and delicious restaurants.
Is Ueno Park Free?
Yes, but the facilities located inside it (zoo and museums) require a fee.
What’s the best way to get to Ueno?
The easiest way to reach Ueno is by train. The JR Yamanote Line and several subway lines all stop at Ueno Station.
Can I walk from Tokyo Station to Ueno Park?
Yes, the walk would take around 15 minutes.
Is Ueno crowded?
Ameyoko is usually packed with shoppers. Ueno Park attracts a lot of visitors, especially on weekends. It is busiest during the cherry blossom season as it is a popular spot for hanami.
How to Get to Ueno
The following train lines stop at Ueno Station:
- JR Yamanote Line
- JR Keihin Tohoku Line
- JR Takasaki Line
- JR Utsunomiya Line
- JR Joban Line
- Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- Toko Metro Hibiya Line
- Tohoku Shinkansen
- Yamagata Shinkansen
- Akita Shinkansen
- Joetsu Shinkansen
- Hokuriku Shinkansen
- Hokkaido Shinkansen
Where to Stay in Ueno
Booking.comPlanning a Day Out in Ueno
While there are many things to do in Ueno, the highlight is undoubtedly Ueno Park. If you have time for only one activity, I recommend visiting the park—it’s a great place to relax and take in some of Tokyo’s natural beauty. However, if you want to see more of what Ueno has to offer, be sure to check out at least one of the museums or the zoo.
