Visiting Ueno Park

About Ueno Park

Ueno Park gathers three national museums, a concert hall and Ueno Zoo, Japan's oldest zoo, around Shinobazu Pond, where you can hire pedal boats among the lotus leaves. In cherry-blossom season its central avenue becomes one of the city's busiest hanami picnic spots.

Tip: Arrive early in blossom season to see the trees before groups claim every patch of ground.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 2–3 hours.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Ueno, museums, a big park and a busy market street.

Best time to visit Ueno Park

Ueno Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:

• October: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
• December: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• November: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.

When to visit Tokyo has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Ueno Park is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

• No. 10 of the 20 sights in our Tokyo things-to-do list.
• Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
• Day 7 of the 7-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Tokyo.
• One of the picks in outdoors in Tokyo.
• A family favourite in Tokyo with kids.

Near Ueno Park

Also in Ueno, so you can walk between them:

• Tokyo National Museum — 2–3 hours, low cost

If you like Ueno Park

• Meiji Jingu Shrine — Harajuku, 1–1.5 hours
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden — Shinjuku, 1.5–2 hours
• Imperial Palace East Gardens — Marunouchi, 1–1.5 hours
• Harajuku and Takeshita Street — Harajuku, 1–2 hours

Staying near Ueno Park

Stay in Ueno ($$) to walk here: museums, a big park and a busy market street. All areas to stay in Tokyo.

Questions travellers ask