Ueno Park was designated in 1873 as one of Japan’s earliest public parks and originally formed part of the grounds of Kaneiji Temple during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration the area was redesigned as a modern Western style park and soon became a central place of relaxation for Tokyo residents. Today it has grown into the city’s largest cultural district, home to major institutions such as the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Ueno Zoo. The park contains enough museums, gardens and historical sites to fill an entire day, and in spring more than one thousand cherry trees bloom at once to create one of the most famous seasonal landscapes in Japan. It also represents the era when Japan moved toward modernization and Western learning while preserving its own traditions. For travelers it offers a concentrated experience of Tokyo’s history, culture and nature in a single location, though its large size means it is wise to plan your route to avoid fatigue.
Address: Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3828-5644
Map code: 768 336*88
Hours: Open year round (facility hours vary)
Admission: Free (fees apply for individual facilities)
Access: JR Ueno Station Park Exit, 2 minutes on foot / Tokyo Metro Ginza or Hibiya Line Ueno Station, 5 minutes on foot
