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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kanto - Tokyo - Northern Tokyo
Ueno Park	# 7   of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo
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Tokyo National Museum Ueno Park (上野公園, Ueno Kōen) is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period. Kaneiji stood in the northeast of the capital to protect the city from evil, much like Enryakuji Temple in Kyoto. During the Boshin Civil War, which followed the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Kaneiji suffered nearly complete destruction in a battle between the victorious forces of the new Meiji government and loyalists of the overthrown shogunate. After the battle, the temple grounds were converted into one of Japan's first Western style parks and opened to the public in 1873. A statue of Saigo Takamori, one of the generals in the Battle of Ueno, stands near the park's southern entrance. Ueno Park during the cherry blossom season At the southwestern end of the park lies Shinobazu Pond, one of many reminders of Kaneiji Temple's former grandeur. The pond represents Lake Biwako (in a reference to Kaneiji's model, the Enryakuji Temple of Kyoto, which overlooks Lake Biwako). On an island in the middle of the pond stands Bentendo, a temple hall dedicated to the goddess of Benten. Today Ueno Park is famous for the many museums found on its grounds, especially the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the National Science Museum. It is also home to Ueno Zoo, Japan's first zoological garden. Additionally, Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's most popular and lively cherry blossom spots with more than 1000 cherry trees lining its central pathway. The cherry blossoms are usually in bloom during late March and early April and attract large numbers of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties. Temples and Shrines: Kaneiji Temple Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: Free During the Edo Period Kaneiji Temple was one of the largest and wealthiest temples in the city. It was destroyed during the Boshin War, and remnants of the original temple complex, such as its five storied pagoda and Toshogu Shrine, are scattered around the park. The current Kaneiji is a relatively unremarkable, small temple located in a quiet neighborhood near the northwest corner of Ueno Park. Kiyomizu Kannon Temple Hours: 9:00 to 16:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Kiyomizu Kannondo was originally built in 1631 as part of Kaneiji Temple. Its design, including a wooden balcony extending from the hillside, was inspired by Kiyomizudera in Kyoto. The temple is home to an image of Kosodate Kannon, the goddess of conception, and is particularly popular among women hoping to have children. Toshogu Shrine Major renovation works are carried out until December 2013 Ueno Toshogu Shrine was built in 1616 and is one of numerous shrines across the country that are dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate. The Ueno Toshogu Shrine used to be incorporated into Kaneiji Temple until 1868. Major renovation works are currently underway, scheduled to be completed in late 2013. Bentendo Hours: 7:00 to 17:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Bentendo is an octagonal temple hall on an island in Shinobazu Pond at the southern end of the park. The temple is dedicated to Benten, the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge. Bentendo's grounds are especially lively during the cherry blossom season when they are crowded with festival food stalls. Museums and Zoos: Tokyo National Museum Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (until 18:00 on Sat/Sun, until 20:00 on some Fri) Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 28 to Jan 1 Admission: 600 yen (free on May 18 and 3rd Monday in September) The oldest and largest museum in Japan, this museum is made up of five buildings, each like a separate museum in itself. They house the largest collection of national treasures and important cultural items in the country. National Science Museum Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays) Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 28 to Jan 1 Admission: 600 yen This museum covers both science and natural history with hands-on physics and robotics experiments, an impressive collection of mounted animals and a 360 degree virtual theater relocated from the Aichi Expo. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Closed for renovations for two years from April 5, 2010! This museum displays all types of art in its six galleries, some of which are underground. There are no permanent exhibitions but some free exhibitions by various art groups. National Museum of Western Art Hours: 9:30 to 17:30 (until 17:00 in winter, until 20:00 on Fridays) Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 28 to Jan 1 Admission: 420 yen (free on 2nd and 4th Saturday each month, Nov 3) This museum displays Western art, primarily by European artists. There are rotating exhibitions from the museum's collection as well as temporary special exhibitions. Shitamachi Museum Hours: 9:30 to 16:30 Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 1 Admission: 300 yen Shitamachi is the name of the artisan and merchant part of old Tokyo. This nostalgic museum has exhibits and reconstructions that show what life was like in Tokyo from the late Meiji to early Showa Periods. Ueno Zoo Hour: 9:30 to 17:00 Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 1 Admission: 600 yen (free admission on March 20, May 4 and October 1) Opened in 1882, Ueno Zoo is Japan's oldest zoo. Its most popular residents are giant panda bears, which first moved here in 1972 on the occasion of the normalization of relations between Japan and China. After the death of Ling Ling in 2008, the zoo had temporarily no panda bears, but they made a comeback in 2011. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

Ueno Park is just next to JR Ueno Station. Easiest access is provided by the station's "Park Exit". Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels and Ryokan

Ueno offers several low and medium budget hotels and is convenient for access to/from Narita Airport. Located along the Yamanote Line and the Tohoku, Joetsu and Nagano Shinkansen, it is a convenient base for exploring the city and for side trips to the northern Kanto Region, the Tohoku Region, Niigata and Nagano. Read more in our Tokyo Hotel Guide

Sponsor Hotels Sakura Hotel and Hostel Economy hotel and hostel in central Tokyo with cheerful English speaking staff. Monthly furnished apartments also available. Aizuya-inn Free internet, hot drinks, friendly foreign staff, and a warm welcome are what you will find at this Tokyo inn.

Recommended Hotels around Ueno - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno Recently opened hotel with excellent location right in front of Ueno Station. Agoda from $195 (1 person) from $195 (2 persons)

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News and Reports

December 13, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by schauwecker December 5, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 27, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 22, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 15, 2011 Tokyo Autumn Color Report by scott November 14, 2011 Christmas lights in Roppongi Hills Tokyo by aginorz October 24, 2011 Halloween in Tokyo by aginorz October 13, 2011 Tokyo Fall Colors? by schauwecker More reports...

Travel Community

Ratings for Ueno Park: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 1557 users): 83/100   recommended Popularity of Ueno Park: Users who have been to Tokyo: 5855 Users who have been to Ueno Park: 2780 7th of 60 most visited sights in Tokyo. 7th of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Ueno Park? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Shop Directory

Domy-B Co. All-inclusive wedding package in Japan. We provide everything!... Yakiniku Ueno Taishoen Our restaurant was founded in Ueno in 1948. Come and taste the carefully selected meat we pride ourselves on.... Standing Bar Kadokura Near Ueno Station! Enjoy delicious cuisine at this moderately priced standing bar.... Italian Bar Il Cadoccio You can enjoy wine along with Italian cuisine such as pizza and pasta at reasonable prices!... More shops...

Tours and Packages

Tokyo Tours Various tours and travel packages for Tokyo and surroundings.

English Links

Tokyo National Museum Official English website. National Science Museum Official English website. National Museum for Western Art Official English website. Shitamachi Museum Official English website. Ueno Zoo Official English website.

Japanese Links

Kiyomizu Kannondo Temple Official website. Ueno Toshogu Shrine Official website. Kaneiji Temple Official website. Tokyo National Museum Official website. National Science Museum Official website. National Museum for Western Art Official website. Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Official website. Shitamachi Museum Official website. Ueno Zoo Official website.