Ueno: Top Five Spots You Must See This Summer!

Ueno is a lively neighborhood in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, known for blending nature, culture, and history in one exciting area. It’s one of the city’s most beloved spots, where old temples, colorful markets, and peaceful gardens sit alongside busy streets. If you’re curious about what this district offers, here are some of the best locations worth checking out!

How did the Ueno neighborhood develop?

A long time ago, Ueno was just a quiet little village. In the 1600s, it became famous when a big temple called Kan’ei-ji was built. This temple was significant to the Tokugawa family, who ruled Japan then. They even buried some of their leaders there! Later, in 1873, the temple area was turned into Ueno Park, Japan’s first Western-style park!

In 1883, a big train station called Ueno Station opened, and people from the north of Japan came here to live and find jobs. Some stayed near the station and built busy markets and shopping streets. So now, Ueno has two cool areas! One is the quiet, green park on a little hill, and the other is a lively, exciting shopping street full of food and fun things to buy!

Ameya Yokocho

Ameya Yokocho, or Ameyoko for short, is a vibrant street market beneath the train tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi stations. Some say the name came from ameya, which means candy shop, and others say it came from “America” because American goods were sold here. 

Ameyoko stretches about 500 meters and has more than 400 shops! This market began after World War II (1939-1945), when people sold all kinds of things in little stalls, such as candy, snacks, and army clothes. What makes Ameyoko special is its mix of old-style market charm with fun modern shops. Today, you can buy all sorts of things here, including cute clothes, cool sneakers, shiny jewelry, and toys.

Hungry? Don’t worry, Ameyoko is also great for foodies! There are snack stands, sushi bowls with fresh fish, takoyaki (octopus balls), juicy fried chicken, and panda-shaped sweets. Lots of shops sell fresh fruits on sticks, like strawberries or pineapples. Some vendors shout and cheer to get your attention. You might also see kebabs, Korean toast, or Chinese dumplings.

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Shinobazuno Pond

In the middle of bustling Tokyo, a beautiful pond called Shinobazu Pond is inside Ueno Park. This pond has been around for hundreds of years! In the heart of the pond is a little island with a pretty temple called Bentendo, which is for a goddess named Benzaiten. She’s the goddess of music, art, and learning. You can walk to the island on a small bridge, and it feels like a magical spot floating in the pond.

Shinobazuno Pond is split into three lovely parts! There’s a Lotus Pond, full of big green leaves and bright pink flowers that bloom in summer. If you come early in the morning, you can see the flowers wide open. Then there’s the Boat Pond, where you can hop on cute boats shaped like swans or rowboats to explore the water. The last part is Cormorant Pond, where ducks and cormorants hang out.

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo National Museum, located inside Ueno Park, is Japan’s oldest and most significant museum. It first opened in 1872 and moved to its current spot a few years later. It’s been around for a long time, packed with treasures from Japan and Asia!

The museum has six significant buildings, each filled with cool things like samurai armor, shiny swords, ancient scrolls, and beautiful statues. You can see old costumes, painted screens, maps, masks, and even tiny statues made hundreds of years ago. Additionally, there are charming treasures from the Edo period (1603-1868), including pottery, lacquerware, and handmade swords. 

One of the best things to do is explore the big Japanese Gallery, called the Honkan. It has two floors full of fantastic art from long ago, and you’ll learn about Japan’s history through the eyes of artists and craftsmen. Furthermore, the museum also displays art from countries like India, China, Korea, and Egypt! There’s even a building where you can admire colorful paintings by a famous artist named Kuroda Seiki.

Toshogu Shrine

Toshogu Shrine is a stunning place in Ueno Park. It was established in 1627 to honor Tokugawa Ieyasu, a great samurai leader who helped bring peace to Japan. Later, his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu rebuilt the shrine in 1651, which still looks fantastic today! The buildings sparkle with gold decorations and have detailed dragons, birds, and flowers carvings. There are 48 bronze lanterns all around, given by powerful lords from all over Japan!

Even though big earthquakes, fires, and wars happened in Tokyo, Toshogu Shrine has stayed safe and strong. That’s why it’s called an Important Cultural Property. There’s a fancy gate called Karamon with two dragons, one climbs up and the other goes down. People say these dragons sneak off at night to drink water from a nearby pond! You can also spot hundreds of flora and fauna species delicately carved into the walls and gates.

Many people come here to make wishes. They pray for good luck, doing well in school, staying healthy, or finding success in their job. You can buy lucky charms shaped like old medicine boxes, too!

Ueno Zoo

This cheerful zoo opened in 1882, making it Japan’s oldest zoo. It features over 3,000 animals worldwide, including famous ones, such as giant pandas, red pandas, flamingos, elephants, and kangaroos! 

The zoo is split into two significant areas, East and West, connected by the Aesop Bridge. You can meet cuddly animals like rabbits and goats at the Children’s Zoo, or explore the Gorilla Woods and Tiger Forest, where the big animals feel at home in natural-style habitats. There’s even a Small Mammal House full of cute nighttime animals, and a Vivarium with turtles, frogs, and reptiles hiding in a jungle-like house!

One of the most exciting things at Ueno Zoo is seeing the adorable panda family! You might also spot a rare animal called the aye-aye and the okapi, which looks like a zebra mixed with a giraffe.

Why are these popular spots in Ueno worth visiting?

Ueno is a special place where the past and present come together. Ueno gives you many ways to feel connected, from peaceful temples and quiet ponds to busy markets and playful animals. The area has changed a lot over time, but it still feels welcoming to everyone. So, which spot in Ueno would you most like to explore, and why? Share your thoughts below!