# Ueno Park: museums, the zoo, Shinobazu Pond and hanami

Things to do in Ueno Park could fill a week: four big museums, Japan's first zoo, a shrine covered in gold leaf, a pond full of lotus in summer and more than a thousand cherry trees in spring. It is also a busy event ground, with festivals on the fountain plaza and concerts by the pond. The list below is updated daily with events in and around the park.

## What Ueno Park is

In the Edo period this hill was the grounds of Kan'ei-ji, a great temple founded in 1625 to guard the shogun's castle from the north-east. In 1873 the new Meiji government named it one of Japan's first public parks, together with Shiba, Asakusa, Fukagawa and Asukayama, and in 1924 the Imperial Household gave it to the city of Tokyo, which is why its official name is Ueno Onshi Koen, the park granted by the emperor.

The park has two halves: the plateau known as Ueno no Yama, with the museums, shrines and zoo, and Shinobazu Pond below it to the south-west. There are around 1,200 cherry trees, and the park is open from 5am to 11pm, with no entry overnight.

- → [Ueno and Yanaka: museums, parks and old streets](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ueno.md)
- → [A year of events in Tokyo, month by month](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-year.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)

## What to see: museums, shrines and the pond

Walk out of the Park exit of JR Ueno Station and the museums start at once. On the right is the [National Museum of Western Art](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%9B%BD%E7%AB%8B%E8%A5%BF%E6%B4%8B%E7%BE%8E%E8%A1%93%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%927-7), in a Le Corbusier building that is part of a World Heritage listing; on the left, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, the concert hall, closed in 2026 for a major renovation expected to take about three years. Straight ahead, past the Takenodai fountain plaza, is the [Tokyo National Museum](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E5%9B%BD%E7%AB%8B%E5%8D%9A%E7%89%A9%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%9213-9), the oldest museum in Japan, standing where Kan'ei-ji's main hall once was. The [National Museum of Nature and Science](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%9B%BD%E7%AB%8B%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6%E5%8D%9A%E7%89%A9%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%927-20), the [Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E7%BE%8E%E8%A1%93%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%928-36) and the [Ueno Royal Museum](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E3%81%AE%E6%A3%AE%E7%BE%8E%E8%A1%93%E9%A4%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%921-2) complete the cluster.

[Ueno Zoo](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%81%A9%E8%B3%9C%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%8B%95%E7%89%A9%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%929-83) opened in 1882 as Japan's first zoo and spreads over an east and a west garden, with Kan'ei-ji's old five-storey pagoda standing inside it. There are currently no giant pandas at the zoo: the last two, the twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, returned to China in January 2026. Next to the zoo, [Ueno Toshogu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%B1%E7%85%A7%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%929-88), founded in 1627 for Tokugawa Ieyasu, has a gold-leafed hall that survived wars and earthquakes and is an Important Cultural Property.

Head down towards the pond and you pass [Kiyomizu Kannon-do](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%AF%9B%E6%B0%B8%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%B8%85%E6%B0%B4%E8%A6%B3%E9%9F%B3%E5%A0%82%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92), a hall built in 1631 in imitation of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, and the bronze [statue of Saigo Takamori](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%A5%BF%E9%83%B7%E9%9A%86%E7%9B%9B%E5%83%8F%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%921) with his dog near the south entrance. [Shinobazu Pond](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8D%E5%BF%8D%E6%B1%A0%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92) is split into a lotus pond, a boat pond and a cormorant pond, with [Bentendo](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8D%E5%BF%8D%E6%B1%A0%E8%BE%AF%E5%A4%A9%E5%A0%82%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%922-1), a small hall dedicated to the goddess Benzaiten, on its island and an open-air stage at the water's edge.

- Toshogu's grounds are free to walk; seeing the shrine buildings up close inside the fence costs a small fee.
- You can rent rowing boats and swan pedal boats on the boat pond, an easy half hour with kids.

- → [Tokyo National Museum: galleries, garden and when to go](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-national-museum.md)
- → [Museums and big exhibitions in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/museums.md)
- → [Tokyo with kids](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kids.md)
- → [Art & Exhibitions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/art.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## The year at Ueno Park

Ueno's cherry season runs for about two months, from early-flowering kanzakura to the Somei-yoshino that peak in late March or early April. The Ueno Sakura Matsuri, held for more than 70 years, hangs lanterns along the main avenue and lights them in the evenings, with a food fair on the fountain plaza. Toshogu's [peony garden](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%B1%E7%85%A7%E5%AE%AE%E3%81%BC%E3%81%9F%E3%82%93%E8%8B%91%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%929-88) opens three times a year: winter peonies from New Year to mid-February, spring peonies from mid-April to mid-May, and dahlias in late September and early October.

In summer the lotus covers Shinobazu Pond, usually at its best around late July, and the Ueno Summer Festival fills the pond side from mid-July to mid-August with wind chimes, paper parasols, evening stalls and shows on the open-air stage. In early September the Tokyo University of the Arts festival parades giant handmade mikoshi through the park. Autumn brings weekend festivals on the fountain plaza, a gathering of Heaven Artist street performers, and, in recent years, free entry to museum collections on Culture Day (November 3). At the end of the year Ameyoko nearby fills with New Year shoppers.

- Lotus flowers open in the morning and close by midday. Go before 9am in summer.

- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Summer festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/summer-festivals.md)
- → [Autumn festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-festivals.md)
- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Matsuri & Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/matsuri.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)
- → [Concerts in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/concerts.md)

## Timing, tickets and crowds

Most museums here close on Mondays, and on the Tuesday instead when Monday is a public holiday. Big exhibitions at the Tokyo National Museum and the Metropolitan Art Museum often sell timed tickets (日時指定) online, and weekend slots go first, so book ahead and aim for a weekday morning. The Tokyo National Museum stays open until 8pm on some evenings; check its [calendar](https://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_calender/index.php?lang=en).

Ueno Zoo is usually open from 9:30am to 5pm and is closed on Mondays (on the next day when Monday is a holiday). Entry is free for everyone on March 20, the zoo's anniversary, on May 4 and on October 1, Tokyo Citizens' Day, which also makes those its busiest days. On full-bloom weekends the cherry avenue is packed from noon until the park closes at 11pm, toilet queues are long, and leaving a sheet to hold a spot is not allowed. At Toshogu, bow at the gate and keep voices low near the hall.

- Coin lockers inside JR Ueno Station fill up on cherry blossom weekends. Travel light.
- If you only have half a day, pick one museum, the pond and Toshogu rather than rushing four museums.
- Since August 2026 the Tokyo National Museum bans suitcases and checks bags at the gate. Leave luggage at your hotel or a station locker.

- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [What to do in Tokyo when it rains](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/rainy-day.md)
- → [How to buy event tickets in Japan](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tickets.md)
- → [Tokyo with kids](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kids.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)

## Getting there and nearby

[JR Ueno Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E7-1-1&query_place_id=ChIJA36n4inWCRIRVEwGkVYUSHY) (Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku and lines to the north) is about two minutes from the park by the Park exit, and the Ginza and Hibiya subway lines stop at Ueno about four minutes away. [Keisei Ueno](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%AC%E6%88%90%20%E4%BA%AC%E6%88%90%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%921-60), for the Skyliner to Narita Airport, opens right onto the park's south end, and [Ueno-okachimachi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%83%BD%E5%96%B6%E5%A4%A7%E6%B1%9F%E6%88%B8%E7%B7%9A%20%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%BE%A1%E5%BE%92%E7%94%BA%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E5-26-6) on the Toei Oedo Line is about five minutes from Shinobazu Pond.

[Ameyoko](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A1%E6%A8%AA%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E6%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), the market street along the tracks towards Okachimachi, starts across the road from the south entrance. Walk north past the art university and you reach Yanaka in about 15 to 20 minutes, with [Nezu Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A5%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%A0%B9%E6%B4%A51-28-9) just beyond. [Yushima Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-30-1), known for its plum blossoms, is a short walk from the pond, Akihabara is two stops away on the Yamanote Line, and Asakusa a few stops away on the Ginza Line.

- → [Ueno and Yanaka: museums, parks and old streets](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ueno.md)
- → [Yanaka: temples, cats and old Tokyo streets](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/yanaka.md)
- → [Nezu Shrine: torii tunnel, azaleas and Edo halls](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/nezu-shrine.md)
- → [Asakusa: temple fairs, festivals and old Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/asakusa.md)
- → [Akihabara: anime, games and events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/akihabara.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Tokyo Museum of Modern Art 100th Anniversary Exhibition: Masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-museum-of-modern-art-100th-anniversary-exhibition-2)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 – Sun, Mar 28, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[13th Annual Sake Shop Tasting Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/13th-annual-sake-shop-tasting-festival)** — Fri, Nov 6, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Onshi Park Fountain Plaza (Taito) · ¥500
- **[Zhang Bin Erhu Concert 2026: Tokyo Performance](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/zhang-bin-erhu-concert-2026-tokyo-performance)** — Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · Former Tokyo Music School Sogakudo (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Tokyo Museum of Art 100th Anniversary Celebration: Reading the World](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-museum-of-art-100th-anniversary-celebration-reading)** — Thu, Nov 19, 2026 – Mon, Jan 11, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Collaboration Event Between Hololive VTuber Raden Juufutei and the Tokyo National Museum Scheduled for January 13 – March 22, 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/vtuber2027113322)** — Wed, Jan 13, 2027 – Mon, Mar 22, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo National Museum, Event (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Special Exhibition: 'The Tale of Genji – Splendor of the Imperial Court' (Tokyo)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/special-exhibition-the-tale-of-genji-splendor-of-the)** — Tue, Jan 19, 2027 – Sun, Mar 14, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo National Museum (Taito) · ¥2,200
- **[PERSONA 30th Anniversary Exhibition](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/persona-30th-ex)** — Thu, Jan 21, 2027 – Sun, Feb 7, 2027 (JST) · Ueno Royal Museum (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Aoi Hiiragi Pop-Up Shop at Marui](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/pop-up-shop-in-8)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Marui (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Special Exhibition: The Sexuality of Living Things](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/special-exhibition-the-sexuality-of-living-things)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 – Sun, Feb 21, 2027 (JST) · National Museum of Nature and Science (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[TV Anime 'Yumeiro Patissiere' Pop-Up Shop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tv-anime-yumeiro-patissiere-pop-up-shop)** — Fri, Nov 6, 2026 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Marui (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[J-WAVE 'POP OF THE WORLD' 10th Anniversary - Thank You Listeners Celebration](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/j-wavepop-of-the-world10)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 12:00 (JST) · Ueno Onshi Park (Taito) · ¥3,900
- **[Char](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/char)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 16:45 (JST) · Ueno Onshi Park Outdoor Stage (Suijo Ongakudo) (Taito) · ¥9,900〜
- **[Kakubarhythm Folk Pond – Kakubarhythm Folk Music Gathering](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kakubarhythm-folk-pond)** — Sun, Nov 8, 2026 13:30 (JST) · Ueno Onshi Park Outdoor Stage · ¥2,000〜¥5,500
- **[Autumn Foliage at the Former Iwasaki Family Garden](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-the-former-iwasaki-family-garden)** — Sat, Nov 21, 2026 – Thu, Dec 10, 2026 (JST) · Former Iwasaki Residence Gardens (Taito) · ¥400
- **[30th Downtown Grand Music Festival: A Bold Challenge?](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/30th-downtown-grand-music-festival-a-bold-challenge)** — Sat, Nov 21, 2026 (JST) · Former Tokyo Music School Sogakudo (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Yumeiro Patissiere POP-UP SHOP at Marui](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/pop-up-shop-in-7)** — Sat, Dec 12, 2026 – Sun, Dec 20, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Marui (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Caravan](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/caravan)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 17:00 (JST) · Ueno Onshi Park Outdoor Stage (Ueno Suijo Ongakudo) (Taito) · ¥7,200〜
- **[Philosophy Café for Beginners: Discuss Everyday "Whys" in Ueno (Sunday, Oct 25, Part 1, 2:00 pm)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/philosophy-cafe-for-beginners-discuss-everyday-whys-in)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 14:00 (JST) · THE BLOOM UENO (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Philosophy Café for Beginners: Discuss Everyday 'Whys?' in Ueno (Part 2, 4:30 PM, Oct 25)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/philosophy-cafe-for-beginners-discuss-everyday-whys-in-2)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 16:30 (JST) · THE BLOOM UENO (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Masterpieces of Europe: Treasures from the Cincinnati Art Museum](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/masterpieces-of-europe-treasures-from-the-cincinnati-art-museum)** — Sat, Oct 10, 2026 – Sun, Jan 10, 2027 (JST) · Ueno Royal Museum (Taito) · ¥2,400
- **[Turner from the Tate: The Sublime in Dialogue with Contemporary Art](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/turner-from-the-tate-the-sublime-in-dialogue-with-contemporary)** — Sat, Oct 24, 2026 – Sun, Feb 21, 2027 (JST) · The National Museum of Western Art (Taito) · ¥2,200
- **[9th Edo Town Taito Arts Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/9th-edo-town-taito-arts-festival)** — Sun, Aug 30, 2026 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall, Ueno Onshi Park Outdoor Stage, Taito 1-chome Community Center, etc. (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Special Exhibition: Utagawa Hiroshige — Best Angles of Edo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/special-exhibition-utagawa-hiroshige-best-angles-of-edo)** — Tue, Sep 29, 2026 – Sun, Dec 20, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo National Museum (Taito) · ¥1,300
- **[Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/love-live-nijigasaki-high-school-idol-club)** — Wed, Oct 7, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Marui (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Special Exhibition Celebrating 700 Years of Daitoku-ji: The Unrivaled Zen Temple of Japan](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/special-exhibition-celebrating-700-years-of-daitoku-ji-the)** — Wed, Oct 14, 2026 – Sun, Dec 6, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo National Museum (Taito) · ¥2,100
- **[BLACK LAGOON 25th Anniversary](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/black-lagoon-25th-anniversary)** — Fri, Oct 16, 2026 11:00 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Marui (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Commemorating the Selection of the Docomo Japan 300: "The Modern Movement and Architecture Now"](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/commemorating-the-selection-of-the-docomo-japan-300-the-modern-movement-and-architecture-now)** — Sat, Aug 29, 2026 10:00 – Tue, Feb 23, 2027 (JST) · National Archives of Modern Architecture · Free entry
- **[Journey Through Asia at the Museum: Colorful Asia](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/journey-through-asia-at-the-museum-colorful-asia)** — Tue, Sep 15, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo National Museum (Taito) · ¥1,000
- **[Autumn Lamb Barbecue 2026 at Ueno Seiyoken](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-lamb-barbecue-2026-at-ueno-seiyoken)** — Sat, Sep 19, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Seiyoken Main Store (Taito) · ¥3,980
- **[ZEN NIGHT TOKYO](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/zen-night-tokyo)** — Wed, Oct 14, 2026 17:30 – Sun, Dec 6, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo National Museum (Taito) · ¥3,600

Showing 30 of 40.

## Questions people ask

**Is Ueno Park free?**
Yes, the park itself is free and open from 5am to 11pm. The museums, the zoo and some halls such as Toshogu's inner grounds charge entry.

**Are there pandas at Ueno Zoo now?**
No. The zoo's last two giant pandas returned to China in January 2026, and there are currently none on show.

**Which museums are in Ueno Park?**
The Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the Ueno Royal Museum. Most close on Mondays.

**When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Ueno Park?**
Usually in late March or early April, when the Somei-yoshino peak. Weekday mornings are much calmer than weekend afternoons.

**When does the lotus bloom at Shinobazu Pond?**
Usually from mid-July into August, at its best around late July. The flowers open early and close by midday, so go in the morning.

**How much time do you need for Ueno Park?**
A walk through the park, Toshogu and the pond takes about two hours. Add two to three hours for each museum or for the zoo.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ueno-park