As a neighborhood filled with Baroque temples and traditional memorials, Ueno provides a window into the customs and traditions of old-world Japan. The large Ueno Park on the northern side also makes Ueno among Tokyo’s leafiest quarters. Explore Ueno’s many museums and galleries for a sense of the culture today.
Admire the works of art adorning the halls of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the University Art Museum. Study the contemporary works in the historic setting of a former bathhouse in the SCAI the Bathhouse gallery. You’ll also find a range of modern pieces decorating the white walls of the Ueno Royal Museum, which stands in the picturesque setting of Ueno Park.
On a sunny day in spring, venture along the avenues lined by cherry blossom trees and watch their petals fall to the ground and decorate the park in a layer of light pink. Participate in the Japanese tradition of hanami, the art of admiring flowers.
Glimpse the spiritual side of Ueno by visiting its many Buddhist temples. A highlight is the park’s Bentendo Temple, with a red hexagonal tower that appears to float atop the Shinobazu Pond. Visit the remaining pagoda from the Kaneiji Temple, which today stands in the Ueno Zoo.
Bring your kids on an educational tour of the International Library of Children’s Literature. Purchase kitchen supplies and have dinner in one of the many restaurants along Kappabashi Street, the culinary heart of the neighborhood.
Find the district in the Taito ward in the northern part of central Tokyo. Ride a bus or metro from the city center to the Okachimachi Station, in the heart of Ueno. Make sure to discover the treasures of the neighboring quarters of Taito City, Bunkyo City and Arakawa City.
Ueno showcases Japan through its historic temples, intriguing museums and gorgeous park adorned with shrines and cherry blossom trees.
