Ueno is a cluster of museums and a zoo built around a spacious park in the northeast of Tokyo. It’s a great place for a stroll or a picnic with children.
Shinobazu pond and Benten Hall Temple
Ueno is the place to go for a taste of Old Tokyo, a walk in the park, or a day visiting museums. Located in northeast Tokyo, it seems a world away from the hypermodern urban nodes like Shibuya and Shinjuku. There’s a huge train station here that serves the shinkansen lines that head north and northwest out of the city. You can combine a visit to Ueno with a stop in nearby Asakusa.
Top Activities In Tokyo
Ueno Highlights
Things To Do And See In Ueno
- Ueno-koen Park (park)
This huge park is one of the most popular in Tokyo. It’s a nice place for a stroll and it’s the best place to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. There are four museums here including the excellent Tokyo National Museum. You’ll also find the fine Toshu-gu Shrine here and the attractive Shinobazu-ike Pond.
- Tokyo National Museum (museum)
This is the best museum in Ueno and one of the best in Tokyo. It’s a very good place to get a general introduction to the major styles and periods of Japanese art. Don’t miss the swords and lacquerware! - Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (museum)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno holds fabulous exhibitions featuring Japanese and non-Japanese art. Just make sure you know which gallery you’re heading to. - National Museum of Western Art (museum)
This fine museum makes a good counterpoint to the Tokyo National Museum. It’s got a good permanent collection and it plays host to some really good traveling exhibits. - National Museum of Nature and Science (science museum)
This is a surprisingly good museum of science and nature. It’s particularly good for those traveling with children. There are the ever-popular dinosaur bones and a blue whale outside that calls to mind the famous one at the Museum of Natural History in New York. - Nippori Fabric Town (fabrics and equipment)
Two stops north of Ueno, in the district of Nippori, you’ll find one of the world’s greatest selections of fabrics and sewing tools. If you like to make things with fabric, a stop in Nippori is a must. - Shitamachi Museum (folk history museum)
This cute little museum down near Shinobazu-ike Pond is a good way to learn about the everyday lives of Tokyoites before the war. As the name suggests, it focuses on the lives of the residents of Shitamachi (the poorer sections of the city). There’s usually an English-speaking guide. - Ueno Zoo (zoo)
This small zoo is surprisingly good and there are plenty of species on display. It’s great for kids and adults enjoy it too. The conditions for the animals aren’t great but that’s typical here.
- Ameya Yokocho Arcade (shopping street)
Located under the train tracks just south of Ueno Station, this shopping street dates back to the black market days of WWII. It’s lined with all sorts of shops selling food and other cheap goods. It’s usually packed with people.
Places To Eat In Ueno
- Usagiya (dorayaki cakes)
This old shop specializes in dorayaki (sort of like a pancake stuffed with sweet read bean paste). Fans of the anime will recognize this as Doraemon’s favorite food. - Izu-ei Honten (unagi etc)
This popular restaurant not far from Ueno Station serves some mouth-watering unagi dishes, including unaju (unagi over rice). It’s not cheap, but good unagi never is. - Azuki
If you’re looking for a sukiyaki restaurant that’s a little different from the rest, you’ve come to the right place. Azuki in Ueno prides itself on serving the finest “Sanuki Olive” wagyu sourced from cows on Shodoshima Island in Kagawa – these cattle spend their lives eating food mixed with local olive oil! - Teppanyaki Grow Ueno (teppanyaki)
This superb little restaurant south of Shinobazu-ike is a great place to sample teppanyaki. The beef and seafood here is awesome and the staff is very welcoming. - Inshotei (various Japanese dishes)
Located inside Ueno-koen Park, this lovely traditional restaurant is a unique and delightful place for lunch or dinner in Ueno. They only accept cash (no credit cards).
Tokyo Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Tokyo: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Tokyo.
- Things To Do In Tokyo: Check this overview of Tokyo activities with links to all the key information.
- Flights To Tokyo: Find the cheapest flights to Tokyo and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Tokyo Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Japan.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
Eat Like A Local In Ueno
Want an even more adventurous eating experience where you mingle with Ueno locals? Try these places.
- Kaisentango Ami no Shokudo
Kaisentango Ami no Shokudo in Ueno serves up a hearty sashimi and egg rice bowl fit for a fisherman. Venture further afield from the station for this quiet cozy neighbourhood restaurant. - Okinaan
Hearty soba in an atmospheric, local noodle joint that’s just a stone’s throw from Ueno Station. - Mihashi
Lovers of sweets should make a beeline for Mihashi in Ueno for their Japanese-style desserts. Come for the anmitsu, stay for the red bean paste and soft serve ice cream! - Kadokura
Kadokura in Ueno is a standing izakaya for the people - it has a lively atmosphere, cheap drinks, flavorful small dishes. Set your expectations accordingly and come here for a fun night out. - Izakaya Kanoya
Izakaya Kanoya in Ueno is a crowd pleaser of an izakaya. Like many places in the area, the food is decent and prices reasonable, but the best part is that it opens at 10:00am - so you can have beer and sashimi even before noon. - Browse all Eat Like A Local In Tokyo places across the city.
Places To Stay In Ueno
Like nearby Asakusa, accommodation in Ueno is cheaper than in most other parts of Tokyo. There are plenty of budget and midrange hotels here and even a few ryokan scattered about. It’s a good place to stay if you want to save money and don’t mind "commuting" to other parts of the city for sightseeing.
Recommended Ryokan In Ueno
Ryokan In Ueno
- Ryokan Katsutaro
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This small ryokan just northwest of Ueno-koen Park is well located for sightseeing. They’re quite used to foreign guests. - Andon Ryokan
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Andon Ryokan is a modern designer ryokan that’s affordable for budget travellers. The rooms are nice if basic, but the otherwise stylish, quirky decor and gorgeously-tiled jacuzzi more than makes up for that! - Komatsu Ryokan
This tiny ryokan is incredibly convenient for budget travellers touring Ueno. The only downside is the shared bathroom facilities and just one shower.
Recommended Mid Range Hotels In Ueno
Mid-Range Hotels In Ueno
- Nohga Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Less than five minutes’ walk from Ueno Station, this smart new business hotel is an excellent hotel with larger-than-average rooms, great service and super-convenient access to Narita Airport. - Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The best hotel in Ueno, this one is right across from Ueno Station, so it’s also got the best location. It’s comfortable and convenient. - Candeo Hotels Ueno-koen
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Near Uguisudani Station (one stop north of Ueno), this is a decent business hotel with good access to Ueno-koen Park.
Recommended Budget Hotels In Ueno
Budget Hotels In Ueno
- Tokyo Ueno Touganeya Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This wonderful little hotel has a great location, friendly staff and nice rooms, including some great family rooms. It’s recommended! - Hotel Mystays Ueno Iriyaguchi
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Pretty close to Ueno Station, this efficient business hotel has very reasonable rates and comfortable, if small, rooms. - Hotel Sardonyx Ueno
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A short walk from Ueno Station, this standard business hotel has some of the lowest rates in all of Tokyo. It can be a bit noisy, but it’s a good value. - Ueno Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This small business hotel near Ueno Station has decent rooms and extremely reasonable rates. It’s a good deal. - Sutton Place Hotel Ueno
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This standard business hotel is a short walk from the station and the rates are very competitive. It was recently renovated. - Hotel Graphy Nezu
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This “boutique hostel” on the far side Ueno-koen Park is a very sociable place where you can easily meet other travelers. - Outlet Hotel UenoEkimae (formerly Kinuya Hotel)
(View on on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Very close to Ueno Station and right next to the park, this old-school hotel has reasonable rates and decent rooms. - Ueno Station Hostel Oriental II (formerly Capsule and Sauna New Century) (men-only capsule hotel)
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This capsule hotel is a nice place to sample the Japanese capsule hotel experience. - Sauna & Capsule Hotel Hokuo (men-only capsule hotel)
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This is another decent place to sample the capsule hotel experience.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
