Things To Do In Ueno: Exciting museums, cherry blossom viewing spot and more

If you come to Tokyo, spend a day discovering the top things to do in Ueno. As a peaceful area in the Taito Ward, Ueno is well-known for its cultural attractions, a variety of museums, dynamic shopping markets, and a public park.

Tourists and locals also go to this area to enjoy the cherry blossoms and explore Japanese street foods. Ueno Zoo with cute pandas is also another interesting place to visit.

Follow this article to learn more about exciting activities you can try in Ueno.

About Ueno

Ueno is one of the most favorite destinations in Tokyo. Located in the northeast of Tokyo, Ueno belongs to Taito Ward, an area knownarea is known for many attractions such as Asakusa, Okachimachi, and Kappabashi. Ueno is situated close to a key transportation hub and is a part of Tokyo’s ancient Shitamachi district.

In the past, Ueno had been considered a working-class neighborhood with lower land prices than other areas of Tokyo.

Nowadays, Ueno has completely transformed, becoming the most livable area in Tokyo with affordable prices, plenty of attractive places to visit, vibrant markets, and diverse entertainment options.

Ueno and Asakusa are currently competitors for the position of being one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tokyo by international visitors. Because of this, Ueno has been more flexible and more creative to attract foreign guests.

Have no idea where to go and what to do in Ueno? With the help of this list of 17 best things to do in Ueno, start planning for your wonderful trip!

17 Best Things To Do In Ueno!

1. Stroll Around Cherry Blossom-Lined Streets In Ueno Park

Ueno Park is one of the biggest and most popular parks in the heart of Tokyo. It is located close to Ueno Station and connects to several of the area’s tourist attractions.

With over a thousand cherry trees surrounding its center walkway, it is one of the most ideal spots in Tokyo for cherry blossom viewing. About 2 million people flock to see the spring blooms each year. This park may be the first spot you should visit when traveling to Ueno.

Opening hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM 

Price: Entrance is free

 

2. Experience The Ancient Japanese Life In Shitamachi Museum

Visitors can observe how Japanese people lived in the past at the Shitamachi Museum. Shitamachi means “undertown” in English. The museum provides an intriguing insight into Tokyo’s history and Japanese ancient life.

With authentic store interiors, equipment, furniture, and other memorabilia from that era, some of the neighborhood’s character and ambiance from the Taisho era have been preserved. Many Japanese people now quite like these traditional areas, including Asakusa and Ueno because of their nostalgia.

Opening hours: 9:30 AM－4:30 PM (Tuesdays to Sundays, closed on Mondays) 

Price: 300 Yen ∼ 2,14 USD

3. Lost In Exciting Shopping Paradise At Ameya Yokocho

Ameyayokocho or Ameyoko is a well-known shopping street located between the stations of Ueno and Okachimachi. Due to its bustling and vibrant atmosphere, the street is well-liked by tourists. Numerous low-cost stores provide a wide range of items, including fresh seafood, dried food, cosmetics, and clothes.

Customers are even encouraged to bargain, making it an excellent spot to get some great deals! In addition, this place is also a paradise for Japanese street food. Go on a food tour and enjoy as much delicious food as you can.

4. Take Some Pictures With Cute Animals At Ueno Zoo

The Ueno Zoo, well-known for its cute pandas, is one of the most beloved attractions in Ueno. The zoo is very large and features excellent facilities. You can see animals around the world in an intimate environment that closely resembles their natural habitats.

The zoo is divided into 63 main sections, including the Gorilla, Japanese Animals and Tiger’s Forest which are further divided into subcategories. It will be a fun trip for kids because there are so many different animals to see there.

Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed on Monday)

Price: Admission is 600 Yen ∼ 4,27 USD

5. See the lovely water lilies garden on Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park

If you’re visiting Ueno in the summer, from June to August, go to Shinobazu Pond to see cute water lilies blooming on the surface of this natural pond. After admiring the water lilies, you can also check out the duck pond or the boating area, where you may rent one of three various kinds of boats and get some fresh air while taking in the sights around you.

6. Back To Childhood At International Library Of Children’s Literature

This library contained a massive collection of children’s stories and books from Japan and around the world, making it excellent for families with children. About 700,000 Japanese and foreign children’s books are available in the library.

Here you can use a children’s library room, a book museum, a research room, a “Meet the World” room and other advanced amenities featured.

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays) 

Price: Entrance is free

7. Visit The Bentendo Temple On The Shinobazu Pond

Bentendo Temple, a floating temple located in the center of Ueno Park’s Shinobazu Pond, should be mentioned on any list of the city’s tourist attractions. The temple is an excellent representation of traditional Japanese architecture.

This temple worships Benzaiten – the goddess of good fortune, studying, the arts, and relationships. This temple’s grounds have a variety of unique stone monuments, making it a wonderful site to explore with companions.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mondays – Sundays) 

Price: Free

8. Discover Craft Beer In 1930s Style Old House At Ueno Sakuragi Atari

This place, which is only a 10- to 15-minute walk from JR Nippori Station and Ueno Station, will appeal to tourists who enjoy historical buildings. The Ueno Sakuragi Atari compound’s three structures were all constructed during the Showa Era, which was about 80 years ago.

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There is a beer hall, event space, bakery and even an olive oil store in this neighborhood. There are many fantastic spots to take pictures that perfectly capture the area’s special retro-modern vibe.

9. Pray At Nezu Shrine

As one of Japan’s oldest shrines, Nezu Shrine was built more than 1,900 years ago. The shrine is very large and perfect for a stroll. The shrine is undoubtedly a beautiful place to visit because of its crimson torii gates, which resemble those of Kyoto’s well-known Fushimi Inari shrine.

The Tsutsuji Matsuri, or Azalea Festival, which takes place at Nezu Shrine from early April to early May, is its most famous event. Visitors can admire the numerous azalea plants’ vibrant blooms at this time.

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Mondays – Sundays) 

Price: Free

10. Explore The Oldest Museums In Japan – Tokyo National Museum

As Japan’s oldest and biggest museum, the Tokyo National Museum was first opened in 1872. With more than 110,000 items, including roughly a hundred national treasures, the museum has one of Japan’s greatest and biggest collections of artwork and archaeological artifacts.

There are many exhibitions that are held regularly you can explore. Visitors may also take in the seasonal scenery in the museum’s garden.

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM 

Price: 

• Adults – 1,000 yen ∼ 7,12 USD
• University Students – 500 yen ∼ 3,56 USD
• Persons under 18 and over 70 – Free

11. Find Something Useful At Kappabashi Kitchen Street

Kappabashi street is a retail area that sells everything a cook or restaurant owner may require with the exception of fresh food. Everything related to your kitchen including pans, pots, kitchen knives, utensils, tables, chairs, and signage, can be found here. Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it’s still a fascinating location to explore.

12. Enjoy The Best Meal At Ueno Bamboo Garden

Located right next to Ueno park, this restaurant is a great place to drop in if you want to take a break and eat something. This place is famous for its mouthwatering Chinese dishes with the most popular choices being Sesame Dumpling, Extra Spicy Stir-fried Chicken, and Almond Jelly.

You will enjoy the best meal in a green and beautiful space with an extremely tourist-friendly atmosphere.

Opening hours:

• 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM -11:00 PM (Mondays – Fridays)
• 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Saturdays) 
• 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Sundays) 

Price: around 1000 Yen ∼  7,12 USD to 5000 Yen∼ 35,58 USD

13. Appreciate Excellent Art In Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum displays a variety of modern Japanese and international artworks. It is financed by the prefectural government and features a fantastic collection of works on a range of artistic mediums, including calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and woodblocks. Some exhibitions may cost a little even though the entrance is free.

Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Fridays: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM during Special Exhibitions (Closed on every 1st and 3rd Monday)

Price: Entrance is free. Exhibition fees vary by exhibition

14. Have Fun At The Toy World – Yamashiroya

A short walk from JR Ueno Station, Yamashiroya is a shop famous to all lovers of Japanese popular culture. This huge establishment has six floors and sells a wide range of toys and accessories.

Many goods from video games, comics, and anime may be found here. If you aren’t a fan of anime and manga goods, coming here to buy some cute gifts for your friends is also a good choice.

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM

15. Hang Out In Yanaka

One of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods, Yanaka is known for its local cuisine and nostalgic, retro-styled towns. Yanaka Ginza is the place that you ought to explore the most. It is a traditional shopping area with Japanese influences that are found in the Yanaka neighborhood, not far from Ueno.

Discover delectable street foods, eateries with a nostalgic vibe, and for some reason, lots of cats. This is a terrific place to explore true daily life in Tokyo.

16. Explore The Amazing Natural World In National Museum of Nature And Science

The National Museum of Nature and Science is the sole science and nature museum in Japan. There are many exciting exhibits ranging from interactive gadgets and robotics projects to fossilized dinosaurs from the prehistoric age. The museum has several interactive displays that allow children to explore and learn while having fun.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays) 

Price: Around 620 Yen ∼ 4,41 USD for adults; free for high school students and children

17. Admire The Splendid Golden Shrine – Toshogu Shrine

One of the most significant shrines in Japan is the golden shrine, which was constructed in 1616 and honors Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man responsible for the establishment of the Edo Shogunate.

The shrine site is surrounded by several bronze lanterns, the main hall is decorated in customary gold and black, and there is a five-story pagoda. Any time of the year is a good time to visit this magnificent temple, but cherry blossom season is the most recommended time to go.

Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Mondays – Sundays)

Price: Although the temple entry is free, there is a route inside its wall required a small amount of 500 Yen∼ 3,56 USD.

How To Get There

Take the Ginza and Hibiya lines of the Tokyo Metro to get to Ueno Station. , Use the Keisei Dentetsu Line to Keisei Ueno Station.

• From Shinjuku Station: Twenty-four minutes on the JR Yamanote Line to Ueno Station.
• From Tokyo Station:  JR Yamanote Line takes seven minutes to reach Ueno Station.
• From Narita Airport: Approximately one hour and twenty minutes by train.
• From Haneda Airport: About fifty minutes by train.

Ueno Station

FAQs

1. Why is Ueno famous?

Located in northern Tokyo, Ueno is a beloved tourist destination, featuring fantastic local vibes and attractions including bustling markets, a sizable park, interesting museums, a zoo, traditional temples, and more. Additionally, it’s the top location in Tokyo to see cherry blossoms!

2. Is Ueno worth visiting?

Yes, Ueno is undoubtedly worth a visit!

There are many tourist attractions in this neighborhood, including various museums, lively shopping streets, and ancient temples and shrines. The Ueno Zoo, the Shinobazu Pond, the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science and Ameyoko Street are some of the greatest spots to visit in Ueno.

3. Is it good to stay in Ueno?

One of the greatest areas to stay in Tokyo is unquestionably Ueno. Some of Tokyo’s most popular tourist destinations are located in Ueno, and this area has the perfect location for seeing the rest of Tokyo. In addition, this place is highly rated for safety and visitor-friendliness.

4. Does Narita Express go to Ueno?

You can choose the Keisei Skyliner train to go to Ueno Station. This is a private railway running between Narita and Ueno.

5. Can I use the JR pass for the Ueno Tokyo line?

Access to the five major Tokyo railways lines is provided by the JR Pass. The Shinagawa, Tokyo and Ueno Stations are among the city’s stops for the Tokaido Shinkansen.

6. Can I have a picnic in Ueno Park?

As one of Tokyo’s largest parks, Ueno Park has a lot of museums, historic temples, and other religious structures. Each year, it’s also a very well-liked and busy location for picnics under the cherry blossoms.

7. Where can I see cherry blossoms at Ueno Park?

The Sakura-Dori, Ueno Park’s iconic central walk lined with cherry trees, is the best place to view the cherry blossoms. The greatest spot to experience Japanese spring is in the 400-meter-long Sakura tree tunnel.

8. How much does it cost for a trip to Ueno Park?

Although Ueno Park is free to visit, there are small entry costs for the many other amenities (about 600 yen). The majority of museums start at 9:00 and close at 16:00 or 17:30, with the exception of Mondays, when most are closed. The park is open from 5:00 AM till 23:00.

Conclusion

Ueno is a special area of Tokyo where you can enjoy both the atmosphere of a classic Japanese town and the hectic pace of the metropolis. Additionally, it offers a chance to explore Japanese nature, culture, history, and art.  If you visit Tokyo, stop by here and try the 17 best things to do in Ueno that we’ve listed in the blog. Hope you will have the greatest travel experience in Ueno.