Culture
Stroll Through Picture-Perfect Ueno Park
Takane ShojiWant to take a stroll in a meticulously groomed park under the blue sky? Ueno Park is the perfect location!
The Ueno Park (Ueno Koen) in the Taito district of Tokyo is a public park and with more than 10 million visitors annually the most popular city park in Japan. It includes the area of the Kaneiji Temple, which was built there to symbolically protect Edo Castle, which is in the Boshin Civil war in 1868 was largely destroyed.
Today's park is home to a variety of museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Natural Sciences, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Tokyo Prefecture Art Museum. The Ueno Zoo, the oldest animal park in Japan, is also located here.
In the southern part of the park is the Shinobazu pond, which is based on Lake Biwa near Kyoto and in the middle of which is the Bentendo temple hall. The Kiyomizu Kannon Temple - also based on its model in Kyoto - and a Toshogu shrine dedicated to the Tokugawa clan were also built on the large area.
At the same time, the Ueno Park with its more than 1000 cherry trees is a popular destination, especially in spring, to admire the cherry blossoms while doing a hanami and picnic under the trees.
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First opened in 1882, Ueno Zoo is Japan’s oldest zoo. The 14.3-hectare complex is home to over 3,000 animals of 400 different species. Notable animals in the zoo include the Giant Panda, Gorilla, and Bengal Tiger. The Ueno Zoo is an easy 5-minute walk from the JR Ueno Station Park Exit.
Established in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s largest and oldest national museum. Originally located at Yushima Seido Shrine, the museum was moved to its current Ueno Park location a few years after its establishment. The museum has a wide selection of both permanent and temporary exhibitions, mostly themed around Japan.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine, not to be confused with the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, was built in 1627 in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu — the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Although not as well-known as the one in Nikko, this shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan. The building is adorned by gold trimmings and intricate carvings. Admission to the shrine is free.
Japan’s First Public Museum of Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is host to major art exhibitions every year. Since its founding in 1926, the building was demolished and rebuilt to its current facade in Ueno Park. The museum’s diverse range of exhibitions and art shows are aimed to promote art appreciation and awareness within Tokyo.
A 2-minute walk from Ueno Station on the Ginza, Hibiya or JR Yamanote lines.
Want to take a stroll in a meticulously groomed park under the blue sky? Ueno Park is the perfect location!
Ueno Park in Tokyo takes on a whole new life every autumn, as the peaceful green of the leaves turns to a jamboree of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows.
Ueno Park is located in central Tokyo and is home to 1,200 cherry trees that will flourish with pink magical flowers. The 133-acre park receives approximately 2 million visitors each year to experience “Hanami” or cherry blossom viewing while picnicking directly beneath a tree. Just minutes from JR Ueno Station, entrance to the park is free.
Ueno Koen is a spacious western-style public park in central Tokyo that features some temples and shrines, a pond, and some more attractions.
Ueno Park is Tokyo's first public park. It contains several museums, a large pond, a baseball ground, a concert hall, a zoo, shrines and temples.
I often see Ueno Park on Japanese TV whenever cherry blossom season approches. I decided to see what the buzz was all about.
Ueno Park is a large public space located in central Tokyo, and one of the first public parks in Japan.
Ohanami in Ueno Park: Sakura-dori Avenue in Ueno Park provides a glorious scene of a long flower tunnel made of cherry blossoms.
Ueno Park (Ueno Koen) is one of Tokyo's most famous spots for viewing the cherry blossoms during the spring sakura season.
Beautiful lotus flowers at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park, Tokyo
Shinobazu Pond sits in the middle of Ueno Park. This large pond has a circumference of two kilometers and is home to many birds, large carp, and turtles.
The artistry and horticulture of azalea bonsai is celebrated and promoted at the The Japan Satsuki Association's Satsuki Festival in beautiful Ueno Park.
Most places in Japan offer tour guides for a reasonable price, but what’s better than no price tag?
A traditionally minded sweets cafe in Tokyo's Ueno Park, Shin-Uguisu Tei serves a traditional Japanese snack, the famous usuigu dango, right next to Ueno Zoo.
Hanami at its best at Ueno Park, Tokyo: Walk around the small lake near the park, eat many delicious Japanese dishes from the various food stalls or go on a short boat trip.
Ueno's Shinobazu Pond is home to one of the largest collection of lotus in Japan. The pond is jam-packed with beautiful pink and white lotus.
The peony garden at Ueno Toshogu Shrine opens for only a month in early spring and welcomes visitors to enjoy the various peony species from all over the world.
The Bell of Time in Ueno Park was once part of a series of bell towers located around old Edo to help keep time for the citizens. Sounding three times a day, Ueno's Bell of Time is now listed as part of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.
First opened in 1926 as Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum, it was the first public art museum in Japan, generously supported by a large donation from Keitaro Sato, nicknamed the "god of coal". Today, its philosophy is to be a gateway of art to the community. Whether you are new to art or an experienced practitioner, you will learn something new here.
Ueno Park, Ueno, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, Gojoten Temple, Hanazono inari Temple, temple
The second part of my trip to Ueno Park, exploring Toshogu Shrine, Ueno Park Pagoda, Bentendo Hall Temple and the Shinobazu Pond
Kiyomize Kannon-do in Ueno Park was built in 1631. This popular temple features in Utagawa Hiroshige's '100 Famous Views of Edo' ukiyo-e series. The temple survived the Boshin War ,World War II and is home to a moon pine tree. Mothers offer prayers here for safe childbirth.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno will be exhibiting the works of contemporary Japanese calligraphers from mid-November to early January.
Hidden in the middle of Tokyo's Ueno Park, this magnificent peony garden is well worth discovering for nature addicts and beauty lovers. Hundreds of flowers in bloom in the heart of winter sounds like a little bit of magic, doesn't it?
One of the highlights at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo are the giant panda cubs, Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, who were born in June of 2021. The zoo celebrates their 50th anniversary of having giant pandas this year, and a special event running this October commemorates this.
Now in its 5th year, the Samurai Festival at Ueno Park allows attendees to experience Japanese history through samurai culture. The four-day event includes a variety of performances such as sword fighting displays, armor try-ons, and plenty more.
The Setouchi Gourmet Festival takes place at Ueno Park, and it's a celebration of the culinary delights you can find in the Setouchi region of Japan.
This summer, the Shitamachi Highball Festival at Tokyo's Ueno Park brings together highballs with foods that pair well with them, plus music stage performances.
2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the urban park system in Japan, and an event will be held in celebration of this at Ueno Park.
Typically, the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Ueno Park from late March to early April. During this celebratory event, you can enjoy music, parades, and picnicking, as well as the magical glow of 800 hanging lanterns at night.
The Tokyo National Museum is the oldest national museum and largest art museum in Japan, is located directly on Ueno Park and goes back to an exhibition in the Yushima Seido Temple from 1872. As on...
Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan and one of Ueno's greatest attractions. The zoo began as a collection of wild animals affiliated with the National Museum of Natural History and first opened...
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is a renowned concert hall located in Ueno Park, the green heart of Taito Ward. The hall opened in 1961 as a hub for arts and culture and has since played host to numerous operas...
The National Museum of Nature and Science is in the northeast corner of Ueno Park in Tokyo. Opened in 1871, it has had several names, including Ministry of Education Museum, Tokyo Museum, Tokyo Sci...
The National Museum of Western Art is the premier public art gallery in Japan specializing in art from the Western tradition. The museum is in the museum and zoo complex in Ueno Park in Taito, cent...
NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO is conveniently located in the midst of the electric town Akihabara, also known as the capital of manga and anime. In addition, this neighborhood has an abundance of tech shops, maid cafes and a variety of restaurants. With just a 6-minute walk away from Akihabara station, it provides easy access to explore other areas nearby such as Ueno and Asakusa. This hotel embodies the rich cultures of music, art and food. Nohga’s concept of music is derived from Akihabara’s local history, starting as a district of radio and wireless component merchants in the late 1920s. The artistic and luxurious space throughout the hotel is achieved by featuring art and amenities designed in collaboration with craftsmen from around Japan. As for the food menu, it’s seasonal fresh ingredients are sourced domestically. The glasses and dinnerware served are collaborations with stores in the surrounding area. All 120 non-smoking guest rooms feature an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, in-room safety box, mini fridge, USB plugs, free Wi-Fi, a high-quality bluetooth speaker and flatscreen TV with original music and film. The lounge area and a compact 24-hour gym can be found near the reception on the second floor. Services include laundry (from 2,750JPY) and a 24-hour front desk with a check-in time of 3PM and check-out time of 11AM. For sightseeing you can rent a Tokyobike for the day (2,000 JPY/day) to explore the vicinity.
Oakwood Premier Tokyo comes from a brand of standout luxury hotel & service apartments right at the heart of the Tokyo metropolis. It is located in the business hub of Marunouchi with JR Tokyo Station in close proximity. This will allow guests and travelers to easily access the city's extensive transport network and visit various landmarks such as Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza and Shopping District. Boasting 123 luxurious apartments on the upper floors of a multi-serviced complex, each room offers a magnificent view of the city, not to mention all furnished and a fully-equipped kitchen set which is rarely seen in your everyday service apartment. Without doubt, these spacious tranquil retreats are curated to give you the amenities and services of a luxury hotel and a feeling of home. They are good options for both business executives and leisure travelers from one night of a short-stay to a few weeks/months of mid-to-long-term stay.
Located right next to Shinjuku Chuo Park, THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku is a modern hotel with an exceptional design and easy access to the nearby Shinjuku train station and the Meiji Shrine. The 14-story hotel building was renovated and reopened in August 2018 as THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku . The western-style rooms offer a park view on the top floor as well as a newly opened terrace suite. The spacious atrium design offers a relaxed atmosphere and connects the restaurant, bar, lounge and lobby with one another. One of the highlights of THE KNOT is the delicious dishes. There are six areas in which food and drinks are offered. From the grill area to high-quality black tea and fresh bread, everything is on offer.
Bunny Cafe Moff Rell in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward offers a chance to interact with adorable rabbits. You can make reservations for the cafe by phone, or you can visit and pay at the store before entering. The cafe provides 30- and 60-minute courses, and you can play with or feed the bunnies. If you are unsure about how to treat the rabbits, don't worry! The staff members will kindly explain everything to you. Minimum age is 10 years old.
Ayam-YA is a certified halal ramen restaurant found in the Okachimachi area of Tokyo, between Asakusa and Ueno, and not far from Assalaam Mosque. A sister branch in Kyoto also exists.
PIZZERIA & BAR NOHGA is an all day dining restaurant interpreting a fusion of “Spanish Italian” cuisine and has a kitchen to table design. There is a casual bar area and restaurant where you can take a peek inside the open kitchen whilst enjoying your meal. Visit the cafe for a range of coffees and teas along with an offering of tapas snacks and seasonal desserts. The cafe also offers an assorted dessert and all-you-can-drink cafe set. Breakfast takes on the art of sharing, where a range of platters are combined with focaccia and your choice of eggs cooked your way. Coming for lunch? Choose from a selection of pizzas, pastas and salads. Each lunch menu is accompanied with homemade soup, iced tea and focaccia. Dinner time offers a range of exquisite tapas and pizzas that can also be shared. Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:00, Lunch 11:30 - 14:30, Cafe 14:30 - 18:00, Dinner: 18:00 - 23:00 with last order at 10pm.
Ameya-Yokocho is an extremely busy street market that runs along the railway line between JR Ueno Station and Okachimachi Station. There are many small retail stores on this street selling seafood, fruits and vegetables, general supplies, as well as shops for discount clothing, accessories, cosmetics, watches and confectionery, as well as a large number of stalls selling street food snacks, as well as inexpensive restaurants, cafes and bars. Originally, the area that is now called Ameya-Yokocho was an inner-city residential area with many wooden houses crowded together. However, during the previous war, the entire area was burned to the ground in a bombing raid. Reconstruction began immediately after the war and a number of shops and street stalls sprang up in the area.
Yushima Tenmangu, also known as Yushima Tenjin, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Tenjin, the god of learning. It is conveniently located in Bunkyo City, positioned near Ueno Park and the University of Tokyo, which makes it a popular spot for students to pray for good grades and inscribe ema (wooden plaques) with their academic goals. The shrine is also abundant with seasonal flowers and plays host to lively events throughout the year, including the Plum Blossom Festival, Tenjin Festival, and Chrysanthemum Festival. The shrine was initially founded in 458 as a place of worship for Ame-no-Tajikarao, the god of physical strength. Later, in 1355 the building expanded and became one of the many shrines dedicated to Tenjin, the deified spirit of famous scholar and politician Sugawara-no-Michizane. The grounds feature beautiful shrine buildings designed in the traditional Shinto architectural style, some which are decorated with colorful carvings of Japanese legends. The Main Hall (or Honden) exemplifies this artistry. Other notable structures are Yushima Tenjin Treasury, a small museum that holds a number of cultural artifacts and paintings, and Omotesando, the copper torii gate at the shrine’s entrance. The torii was designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Tokyo.
The Nezu Shrine, built in 1705, is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Tokyo. It is famous for its Azalea Spring Festival, when around 50 species of azaleas are in full bloom from late April to May. Food stalls and games are also part of the festival. He is also known for his rows of red torii, similar to those in Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. It is one of the few shrines where the original structure has been preserved to this day. The Nezu Shrine has escaped destruction by fire and war, and it is an important cultural asset of the city. There are numerous cafes and traditional candy shops in the streets around the shrine. B. offer popular Karinto biscuits or taiyaki filled with bean paste.