Explore Ueno

Spacious parks and a shopping labyrinth

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Northern Tokyo
Ueno
Explore Ueno

Spacious parks and a shopping labyrinth

Ueno is unusual; on the one hand, there's the spacious, historic park, boasting world-class museums, a zoo, a tree-lined pond and some major shrines. Then there's the narrow maze of cheap eats and stalls selling everything from fresh fish to vintage watches, and a booming mini-Koreatown. Every turn promises a new adventure.

General Tips

Ueno is known for bargains; apart from the famous Ameyoko shopping street, try Takeya, a purple department store that claims to be the world's oldest discount store
From cakes and candy to socks and toys, you'll find panda goods everywhere, celebrating Ueno Zoo's new baby Xiang Xiang
Grab a drink and some yakitori chicken skewers with the locals at one of the izakaya under the Yamanote Line tracks

Map Legend

Walking
Taxi
Bus
Train
Water Bus

Ueno Station

The start of the adventure

Ueno Station

With JR lines and Shinkansen trains heading north, plus the Ginza metro line, Ueno Station is a major interchange, but feels fairly calm, thanks to its spacious design. Take the Park Exit on the upper level for easy access to Ueno Park and museums.

5 mins

Ueno Park

Grand promenades and major museums

Ueno Park

During cherry blossom season, Ueno Park draws thousands to walk and carouse under its pink clouds of blossoms. You can easily spend a day here visiting the various museums dedicated to art, science and traditional artifacts; or just watch the world go by from one of the many outdoor cafés.

13 mins

Shinobazu Pond

A floating temple and a sea of lotus blooms

Shinobazu Pond

The large pond is divided into three, with tree-lined walkways between. The Lotus Pond blooms with pink flowers in summer and the Boat Pond is popular in all seasons for rowboat and swan boat rentals. Visit Bentendo Temple on its own island and drop by the Shitamachi Museum, for a taste of traditional downtown life.

5 mins

Ameyoko

Lively shopping with a slightly shady past

Ameyoko

At the close of WWII this maze of shopping streets and market stalls was Tokyo's black market. Today, the stores are legitimate, but it retains a raffish air. You can find anything here, from traditional seaweed and green tea, to vintage jeans and the latest sneakers.