Ueno District in Tokyo

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  • Tokyo Ueno Station

  • Tokyo Ueno Shitaya Shrine

  • Tokyo Ueno Shitaya Shrine

  • Tokyo Ueno Shitaya Shrine

  • Tokyo Ueno Neighborhood

  • Tokyo Ueno

  • Tokyo Ueno

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Facts & Figures

Some parts of the Ueno district have preserved the atmosphere of old Tokyo. There are many places waiting for your discovery. Best Ryokans in Tokyo Explore Ryokans in Tokyo >
Ryokans are the perfect way to discover old Japanese culture and traditions.
Just to name a few like the Ueno Park with its high concentration of museums or the oldest zoo in Japan. The Ueno Station is a great start point to explore the Northern part of Japan (Tohoku region).

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the fascinating city Tokyo with a local guide. Check out this page > for more details about this tour.

History

Ueno was in the old days the area for the working class. The area had a special name Shitamachi district (low lands). Still today there are many places not so fancy like Shinjuku or Ginza.

Location

Map of Japan

Ueno district is located within the Taito-ku (ward) in central Tokyo.

How to get to Ueno?

  • Ueno Station is served by JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Joban Line,
  • Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, Ginza Subway Line, Hibiya Subway Line and
  • Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Joetsu, Nagano Shinkansen

Sightseeing spots

Top:

Ueno Park - the Ueno-onshi-koen Park is housing many important museums (see list below), oldest zoo in Japan and is a great place to enjoy the cherry blossom season

National Museum of Western Art - the museum founded in 1959 displays the art collection of Matsukata Kojiro (1865–1950), he collected art objects from the Renaissance to the early 20th century

Tokyo National Museum - the museum is focusing on natural history and the history of science and technology

National Museum of Nature and Science - enjoy there many interactive scientific experiences

Ueno Royal Museum - great collections of artwork from Ukiyo-e prints to modern art are on display

Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Tokyo Cultural Hall) - opened in 1961 this concert hall is famous for its acoustics

Shitamachi Museum - the culture of Shitamachi is explained there, during Edo time people belonging to the working class created a unique culture in the lowlands/flatlands (Shitamachi) of Tokyo

Bentendo Temple - this Buddhist temple is located in the middle of the Shinobazu Pond within the Ueno Park

Ueno Zoo - oldest zoo in Japan (from 1882)

Kaneiji Temple - this Tendai Buddhist temple was founded in 1625

Ameya-yokocho Market - also known as "Ameyoko" is with over 400 cut-price shops worth a visit

Okachimachi Jewelry Wholesale District - the only jewelry wholesale district in Japan

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

March

Ueno Sakura Matsuri (Mar 20 till Apr 8)
Celebrate the cherry blossom festival at Ueno Park under app. 1200 cherry trees. Enjoy daily events around the Shinobazu-no-ike Pond within the Ueno Park.

July

Ueno Summer Festival (Ueno Natsu Matsuri) (July 13 till Aug 12)
The highlight of the Ueno Natsu Matsuri is the parade with folk dancing and local performing arts on the 21st of July (Saturday) held on Chuo-dori Ave.

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