Introduction to Ueno Park
Ueno Park is one of the oldest and most important parks in Tokyo, covering 530,000 square meters with a wealth of natural scenery and cultural facilities. Every spring, the Ueno Park cherry blossom festival draws crowds of visitors who come to enjoy the blooms.
History of Ueno Park
Ueno Park was originally the grounds of Kan’ei-ji Temple, founded by the high priest Tenkai during the Kan’ei era (1624 to 1644). Cherry trees were planted throughout the mountain, and the grounds were turned into a park in the Meiji era. Many historic structures remain in the park, such as Kiyomizu Kannon-do Hall and the statue of Saigo Takamori.
The park has 800 cherry trees that bloom from late March to early April, making it one of Tokyo’s key cherry blossom viewing spots.
Getting to Ueno Park and Opening Hours
Ueno Onshi Park is open all day, while the on-site service center and facilities close over the year-end and New Year holidays. It is about a 2-minute walk from Ueno Station on the JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, or the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line, and about a 1-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Main Line. Facilities in the park such as the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo each have their own opening hours and closing days, so plan your itinerary according to each facility’s announcements.
Must-See Spots in Ueno Park
Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s best-known parks. Every year it draws millions of visitors who come to see the cherry blossoms, visit art museums and museums, and explore historic shrines and temples. The park has many famous attractions, including museums, art galleries, shrines and temples, offering a rich cultural and historical experience.
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum (founded in 1872) is Japan’s oldest and largest museum, with a rich collection of historical artifacts and art from Japan and East Asia. It has the Honkan (Main Gallery), the Toyokan (Asian Gallery), the Heiseikan and the Horyuji Treasures Gallery. The Honkan displays Japanese archaeological materials and historical artifacts, while the Toyokan focuses on art from China, the Korean Peninsula and East Asia.
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo. Hours: 9:30-17:00, extended to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays (last admission 30 minutes before closing). Admission: ¥1,000 for general visitors, ¥500 for university students. We suggest allowing 2-3 hours.
Ueno Great Buddha
The Ueno Great Buddha is in Ueno Park and was built in 1631, in the early Edo period. After disasters including the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, only the face of the Buddha remained, and it is now enshrined as a relief of the face. The pagoda enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, and because of its meaning of “never falling again”, it has become a popular spot for students to pray for exam success. Visitors can see it up close and take photos in the garden. Please check on-site announcements for visiting hours. We suggest allowing 30 minutes to 1 hour, and it combines well with other attractions in the park.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
Ueno Toshogu Shrine is in Ueno Park and enshrines the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Founded in 1627 (Kan’ei 4), it is an important Edo-period shrine known for its elaborate architecture and garden. The shrine buildings are in a classic Edo style, including the main hall, the worship hall and the Karamon gate, and you can enjoy the garden scenery. Omamori charms and goshuin stamps are available. Visiting hours for the shrine buildings are 9:30 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from October to February). Admission to the shrine buildings is ¥700 for adults and ¥300 for elementary school students, the Peony Garden is charged separately, and we suggest staying about 1 hour.
National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western Art was Japan’s first national museum of Western art, founded in 1959. Its collection includes a large number of Western works, including paintings and sculptures.
The collection includes works by famous artists such as Monet and Renoir, giving visitors the chance to see precious Western art.
The National Museum of Western Art is at 7-7 Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo. It is open 9:30 to 17:30 Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, and extended to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Permanent exhibition admission was originally ¥500 for general visitors, but ticket prices will be adjusted from October 2026, so please check the official website for announcements.
The Ueno Royal Museum
The Ueno Royal Museum is an important art museum in Japan, founded in 1972, which holds a variety of art exhibitions, including works by Japanese and international artists.
Exhibitions change often, so visitors can see different works of art and learn about trends in contemporary art.
The Ueno Royal Museum is at 1-2 Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo. Opening hours and ticket prices vary by exhibition, so please check the official website for announcements. We suggest staying 1-2 hours.
Shinobazu Pond
Shinobazu Pond is a beautiful pond in Ueno Park. Bentenjima Island sits in the pond, and the goddess Benzaiten is enshrined on the island. Many cherry trees are planted around the pond, making it a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing every spring.
Today, Shinobazu Pond is an important attraction in Ueno Park, drawing many visitors who come to look around and take photos.
There are walking paths around Shinobazu Pond, so visitors can stroll along the water’s edge and enjoy the lovely scenery. Bentenjima Island in the pond is connected by a path, so you can walk over to pay your respects. We suggest staying 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo opened in 1882 and is Japan’s oldest zoo. The giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were returned to China on January 27, 2026.
Open 9:30-17:00 (last entry 16:00). Closed on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday) and from December 29 to January 1. Admission: ¥600 for general visitors, ¥300 for ages 65 and over, ¥200 for junior high school students (free for those who live or study in Tokyo), and free for elementary school students and younger. Access: a 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station.
Ueno Park Tickets and Guided Tours
Ueno Park is one of the best-known parks in Tokyo, drawing millions of visitors every year for cherry blossom viewing and sightseeing. Visitors can choose from different kinds of guided tours to learn more about the park’s history and culture. Here are some recommended guided tour and ticket options.
Ueno Park Self-Guided Map
The Ueno Park self-guided map offers a detailed park map and attraction information so visitors can plan their own route, marking major sights such as the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Zoo and Kiyomizu Kannon-do Hall. Visitors can choose a route based on their interests and available time.
The map is available free of charge at the Ueno Park visitor center, or you can download it online. With a self-guided tour, visitors can explore the park at their own pace.
The self-guided map is very flexible. You can change your plans at any time without time limits, which suits visitors who want to get to know Ueno Park in depth.
Ueno Park Museum Combo Pass
In the Ueno area you can use the “Grutt Pass” museum pass, priced at ¥2,500 and valid for 2 months from the first day of use. It gives free or discounted admission to more than a hundred museums, art museums and zoos in Tokyo, including the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo (some special exhibitions are charged separately), which is a good value if you visit several places.
Where to Stay Nearby
Ueno Station is served by the JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line and Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya Lines, and Keisei Ueno Station connects to the Keisei Railway. Ueno Park is about a 2-minute walk away. If you plan to see the cherry blossoms or visit museums and the zoo, staying near Ueno Station cuts down travel time and makes it easy to stroll around Shinobazu Pond in the morning or evening.
