Ueno Park(Ueno-kōen)
上野公園
based on 5,416 reviews
2026 Global 50 - Spring OutingsOpen Opening hours of Ueno Park
Ueno Park Highlights: Must-See Features and Attractions
Ueno Park is one of the largest parks in Tokyo. With its many facilities, you can stroll around to soak in the natural beauty and cultural charm, or spend an entire day exploring its art and culture. Every spring, the park transforms into a sea of cherry blossoms, attracting visitors from far and wide.
A prime spot for cherry blossom viewing
This is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo. The park currently has over 1,000 cherry trees, with the "Somei Yoshino" variety, discovered right here in Ueno Park, being particularly iconic. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, Ueno Park becomes one of the most popular spots for locals to enjoy the flowers. The cherry blossom avenue is a must-visit spot; when the wind blows, the falling petals create a spectacular "rain" of blossoms—this is the very place that inspired Lu Xun's famous line about the cherry blossoms in Ueno. The "Cherry Blossom Festival" is held annually during this time, and at dusk, the park lights up, illuminating the blossoms for a truly enchanting experience.
Shinobazu Pond
If you miss the "Cherry Blossom Festival," don't miss Shinobazu Pond in the southwest of the park. In summer, the melodious music from the outdoor concert hall complements the lotus flowers in the pond, while black swans, wild geese, and mandarin ducks swim gracefully on the water, making for a delightful scene. You can also visit the 4-story aquarium by Shinobazu Pond to see nearly 600 species of aquatic animals.
Ueno Zoological Gardens
In the northwest of the park lies Ueno Zoological Gardens, home to approx. 500 species of rare birds and animals. The zoo is divided into East and West Gardens. The East Garden is very popular, featuring two giant pandas from China, "Ri Ri" and "Shin Shin." The West Garden includes a petting zoo with small animals like pygmy goats and ostriches. The Peony Garden next to the zoo is a memorial garden established in 1980 to commemorate friendship between China and Japan. The "Lion Head" peonies here are particularly vibrant and worth seeing. In winter, you can also see winter peonies blooming within protective enclosures—a rare sight that can only be found here in Tokyo.
Historical sites
Beyond the stunning natural scenery, the park is home to many historical sites worth visiting. The bronze statues scattered throughout the park are a major feature. Additionally, the park contains historical sites such as Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Kan'ei-ji, the Tokugawa Mausoleum, and Kiyomizu Kannon-dō Temple, earning it the reputation as a "treasure trove of historical sites and cultural assets." Be sure to check out the Toshogu Shrine, a masterpiece of classical Japanese architecture, where the 6m-tall "Ghost Lantern" is a true highlight. It also houses many important cultural artifacts.
Museums and art galleries
Another major feature of Ueno Park is its abundance of cultural and art venues. One of these, the Hyokeikan, is a representative example of Western-style architecture from the late Meiji period and is a treasure in its own right. The National Museum of Western Art houses many masterpieces by renowned artists. The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum exhibits masterpieces such as traditional Japanese ukiyo-e and oil paintings. There are also the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall, The Ueno Royal Museum, and the Shitamachi Museum, which is why Ueno Park is often called a "forest of culture."
Other visitors' reviews of Ueno Park
Show More ReviewsStepping into this mountain forest, favored by time, is like entering a slowly unfolding three-dimensional painting. Morning mist, like gauze, gently entwines the verdant peaks, sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, each step resonating with the breath of nature. Ancient trees reach for the sky, their gnarled branches telling tales of centuries of wind and rain and unwavering perseverance; the babbling brook, crystal clear, is like the earth's whispered poetry. A mountain breeze caresses the face, carrying the fragrance of grass and earth, instantly banishing the hustle and bustle of the world. Birdsong echoes from the depths of the forest, crisp and melodious, like celestial music, adding a touch of vibrancy to the tranquility. Wildflowers dot the path, unassuming yet adorning every inch of the land with their tenacious vitality. Looking out from the summit, the mountains stretch endlessly, a sea of clouds surging, as if heaven and earth have merged into one. Standing atop the mountain, my heart moved by the scenery, I suddenly understood that true beauty is never clamorous, but rather silently awes the soul. At that moment, I didn't want to blink, afraid of missing even the slightest bit of nature's charm. It turns out, the most beautiful scenery isn't far away, but in the instant you're willing to stop and feel it with your heart. Slowly climbing along the old stone path entwined with wild vines, the wind carried the faint fragrance of wild jujube blossoms and the cool mist from the ravine below. A small lizard, its long tail trailing behind, darted into a crevice in the rocks, leaving behind the daily worries that lingered in my heart with each step. The higher I climbed, the wider the view became. Layer upon layer of verdant mountains unfolded in the flowing thin clouds, and in the distance, reed beds swayed in the wind, creating pale white ripples. A few water birds skimmed across the lake, and even the air seemed to soften. There were no noisy announcements or hawkers along the way, only local villagers carrying bamboo baskets, smiling as they handed you a few freshly picked wild akebia fruit. Peeling off the thin skin and taking a bite, the soft, sweet flesh instantly filled your mouth. Standing on the mountaintop, the wind billowed my coat, and the pent-up frustration of the past two weeks vanished with a long howl. Suddenly, I realized that those little things that kept me up at night were nothing compared to the vast mountain scenery. On my way down, I picked a few reeds covered in morning dew and put them in a glass bottle at my lodging. For the next few days, I could look up and see the wild beauty everywhere I looked.