Ueno Zoo. 🐼
Japan's oldest zoo. While it houses tigers, gorillas, and polar bears, everyone is here for one thing: The Giant Pandas. They are national celebrities.
Panda Forest
The new enclosure is designed to mimic the forests of Sichuan. Be prepared to wait 30-60 minutes to see them.
Five-Story Pagoda
Surprisingly, there is a massive 17th-century pagoda inside the zoo grounds (formerly part of Kanei-ji Temple).
Shinobazu Pond. 🪷
A massive natural pond divided into three sections: the Lotus Pond, the Boat Pond, and the Cormorant Pond. In summer, the lotus plants grow so high you can barely see the water.
Bentendo
An octagonal temple dedicated to Benten (Goddess of Arts) sits on an island in the middle of the pond.
Swan Boats
You can rent pedal boats shaped like swans. It is a classic Tokyo date spot, despite the local curse rumors.
Bird Watching
The pond is a wildlife sanctuary. You will see herons, egrets, and cormorants hunting for fish.
Tokugawa Ieyasu
The Golden Shrine
Ueno Toshogu. ⛩️
Hidden behind a stone wall, this shrine is a miracle. It survived the Boshin War, the Great Kanto Earthquake, and the WWII firebombings. It is covered in gold leaf.
Peony Garden:
In winter (Jan-Feb) and spring (Apr-May), the shrine opens its Peony Garden. The flowers are protected by little straw hats to shield them from snow.
The Cherry Blossoms. 🌸
Ueno Park is the most famous place in Tokyo for Hanami (flower viewing). Over 1,000 cherry trees line the central pathway.
The Crowds
It gets incredibly crowded. People lay down blue tarps at 5:00 AM to reserve spots. It is a chaotic, drunken, happy festival.
Lanterns
At night, 1,000 lanterns illuminate the blossoms. This night viewing is called "Yozakura."