Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s oldest public parks, built on the former grounds of a centuries-old temple, and it’s home to Japan’s oldest zoo alongside one of the densest clusters of major museums anywhere in the country. It’s the kind of place where a single day can cover natural history, fine art, and Japanese cultural artifacts without ever leaving the park grounds.
There’s an important update worth knowing before visiting Ueno Zoo specifically: the giant pandas that had been there for decades are no longer in Japan, following a return to China earlier this year. The zoo is still very much worth visiting for its scale and variety, but it’s no longer a guaranteed panda-viewing stop.
Combine that with excellent access from Narita Airport, a famous cherry blossom season, and a lively market street just outside the park, and Ueno makes a strong case as one of the most efficient, well-rounded stops on a Tokyo itinerary.
Medium:
Want the full history of the park, exactly which museums to prioritize, and the real story behind the pandas leaving? Read the complete guide on [ Medium → ]
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