# Ueno and Yanaka: museums, parks and old streets

Ueno is Tokyo's museum district: one big park holds the national museums, a concert hall, a zoo and a lotus pond, all a few minutes from the station. Just north, Yanaka and Nezu are a slower world of temples, a small shopping street and lanes that survived the war. The list below is updated daily with exhibitions, concerts and festivals in and around the area.

## Ueno Park: museums and a concert hall

Walk out of the Park exit of JR Ueno Station and you are already among the museums. 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 in Japan, holds the country's biggest collection of Japanese art. 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) sits in a Le Corbusier building that is part of a World Heritage listing, 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) covers dinosaurs and space, and 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) host the big touring exhibitions.

Opposite the Western Art museum stands Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, a concert hall designed by Kunio Maekawa and opened in 1961, long a home of opera, ballet and orchestral concerts. It closed in May 2026 for a major renovation expected to take about three years. The [Tokyo Spring Festival](https://www.tokyo-harusai.com/) (Tokyo-Harusai) still runs every spring, with classical concerts in the halls and museums around the park, so check its programme for the venues.

- Popular exhibitions often sell timed tickets online. Book ahead and go on a weekday morning.
- Most museums here close on Mondays (or the next day when Monday is a holiday).
- Since August 2026 the Tokyo National Museum bans suitcases and checks bags at the gate. Leave luggage at your hotel or a station locker.

- → [Museums and big exhibitions in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/museums.md)
- → [What to do in Tokyo when it rains](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/rainy-day.md)
- → [Concerts in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/concerts.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Art & Exhibitions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/art.md)

## The zoo, Shinobazu Pond and the park year

[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), which opened in 1882, is the oldest zoo in Japan and spreads over two parts of the park. It is usually closed on Mondays, and on Tokyo Citizens' Day (October 1) entry is free. At the south-west corner of the park, [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. In midsummer the lotus covers the water around [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), the small temple hall on its island, usually at its best from mid-July to mid-August. The flowers open in the morning and close by midday, so go early.

In spring [Ueno Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E6%81%A9%E8%B3%9C%E5%85%AC%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%927-47) is the classic hanami spot, with a long avenue of cherry trees and lanterns that fills with picnic groups. Through the year you will also meet Heaven Artists, street performers licensed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to play at set spots in its parks, and in recent years an annual Heaven Artist festival in autumn has brought many of them to Ueno Park at once. In early September the Tokyo University of the Arts, next to the park, holds its student festival, with giant handmade mikoshi paraded through the park.

- Ueno Park closes overnight. Night hanami ends when the park does.
- Heaven Artists perform for tips. If you stop and watch the whole show, drop a coin in the hat.

- → [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)
- → [Tokyo with kids](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kids.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Ameyoko and an evening below the tracks

[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) is a market street that runs for about 500 metres along the JR tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi, with around 400 shops. It grew out of a postwar black market, and the name is usually traced to the candy (ame) sellers who once filled it. Today it sells everything from dried fruit and fish to sneakers, and in the last days of December it is packed with people buying crab, tuna and fish roe for the New Year table.

In the evening the standing bars and izakaya under the tracks fill up. For something quieter, [Suzumoto Engeijo](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%88%B4%E6%9C%AC%E6%BC%94%E8%8A%B8%E5%A0%B4%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E2-7-12) near Ueno-Hirokoji is one of the four yose halls in Tokyo that run rakugo almost every day, and you can walk in without booking.

- → [Kabuki, noh and rakugo in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kabuki.md)
- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Tokyo on a budget: free things to do](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/budget.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi: old Tokyo on foot

Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi, often called Yanesen together, are where Tokyo still looks low-rise and wooden. From [Nippori Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%AC%E6%88%90%20%E6%97%A5%E6%9A%AE%E9%87%8C%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%8D%92%E5%B7%9D%E5%8C%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%97%A5%E6%9A%AE%E9%87%8C2-19-1) the road climbs past [Yanaka Cemetery](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%B0%B7%E4%B8%AD%E9%9C%8A%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E8%B0%B7%E4%B8%AD7-5-24), whose cherry trees are lovely in spring (picnics and parties are not allowed), and reaches the [Yuyake Dandan steps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A4%95%E3%82%84%E3%81%91%E3%81%A0%E3%82%93%E3%81%A0%E3%82%93%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%8D%92%E5%B7%9D%E5%8C%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%97%A5%E6%9A%AE%E9%87%8C3-13), best at sunset. Below them, [Yanaka Ginza](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%B0%B7%E4%B8%AD%E9%8A%80%E5%BA%A7%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%E8%B0%B7%E4%B8%AD3%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) is a short shopping street of about 60 shops selling croquettes, sweets, crafts and snacks. [SCAI The Bathhouse](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=SCAI%20THE%20BATHHOUSE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E8%B0%B7%E4%B8%AD6-1-23), a contemporary art gallery inside a former public bath, has shown work here since the early 1990s.

[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), a short walk south-west, holds the Bunkyo Azalea Festival in April, when around 3,000 bushes of about 100 varieties cover its hillside garden. The shrine is free; the azalea garden asks a small donation during the festival. From Ueno Park you can walk to Yanaka in about 15 to 20 minutes, past the art university.

- Yanaka is residential. Keep voices low and don't photograph people's homes or the cats in their doorways up close.
- Many small shops in Yanaka close early in the evening and on one weekday. Go in the afternoon.

- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [Going to events alone in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/solo.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)

## Getting there and timing your day

[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) is served by the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines, many lines heading north and the Shinkansen, and the Ginza and Hibiya subway lines stop there too. [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](https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/index.php) to Narita Airport, is by Shinobazu Pond. For Yanaka use [Nippori](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%AC%E6%88%90%20%E6%97%A5%E6%9A%AE%E9%87%8C%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%8D%92%E5%B7%9D%E5%8C%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%97%A5%E6%9A%AE%E9%87%8C2-19-1) (JR and Keisei), and for Nezu Shrine or Sendagi the Chiyoda Line. Asakusa is a short ride on the Ginza Line.

Weekday mornings are the calmest time for the museums and the zoo, and cherry blossom weekends the busiest. Summer is hot and humid, so plan the lotus pond and the park for the morning and the museums for the afternoon heat. Bring cash for Ameyoko stalls and small shops in Yanaka.

- → [Asakusa: temple fairs, festivals and old Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/asakusa.md)
- → [Weather and events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weather.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[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
- **[Panda Hall ProducePandas G.A.M.E. World Tour 2026 Final in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/producepandas-game-world-tour-2026-final-in-tokyo)** — Sat, Nov 21, 2026 16:30 – Sun, Nov 22, 2026 (JST) · Starlight Theater (Former Hikosensha Theater) (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Fumi Nikaido's Pop-Up Snack Bar](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/fumi-nikaidos-pop-up-snack-bar)** — Thu, Dec 17, 2026 14:00 – Fri, Dec 18, 2026 (JST) · Dansu Hall Shinseiki · 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
- **[BugLug](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/buglug)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 17:00 (JST) · Dansu Hall Shinseiki · ¥6,000–¥7,000
- **[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
- **[Nao Furuhata & Yuna Ego 15th Anniversary Live: 'The Days We Dreamed Together'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/15live)** — Thu, Nov 26, 2026 19:00 (JST) · Starlight Theatre (Hikosen Theatre) (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[SHAZNA SHAZNA Presents Two-Act Live Series: VERSUS](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/shazna-shazna-presents-2-versus)** — Sat, Nov 28, 2026 17:30 (JST) · Dansu Hall Shinseiki · ¥8,000
- **[Musical Lovers 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/musical-lovers-2026)** — Sat, Nov 28, 2026 18:00 – Sun, Nov 29, 2026 (JST) · Starlight Theater (Former Hikosensha Theater) (Taito) · ¥8,000–¥12,500
- **['Ongeki Re:Fresh & maimai Deluxe' Pop-Up Shop at Marui](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/refresh-maimai-pop-up-shop-in)** — Sat, Dec 5, 2026 – Sun, Dec 13, 2026 (JST) · Ueno Marui 5F (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Nariaki Obukuro](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/nariaki-obukuro)** — Thu, Dec 10, 2026 16:45 (JST) · Dansu Hall Shinseiki · 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
- **[Rina Katahira – Songs of Prayer, Weaving Peace](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/rina-katahira-songs-of-prayer-weaving-peace)** — Sat, Dec 26, 2026 17:30 (JST) · Ueno YUKUIDO Workshop (Taito) · ¥5,000〜
- **[Let's Start Rock and Roll supported by No.8 & Disk Union](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/supported-by-no8)** — Mon, Jan 11, 2027 17:00 (JST) · Dansu Hall Shinseiki · price on the official site
- **[GU in Motion — Fashion Show by Tama Art University and GU](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/gu-in-motion-gu)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 (JST) · Tama Art University Kaminoge Campus Headquarters Building & Auditorium (Setagaya) · price on the official site
- **[Nezu Shrine Handmade Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/event-140-2-cfjr)** — Sun, Dec 20, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Nezu Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry
- **[Storytelling and Shamisen Performance: 'The Ash Man' at Yasuda Residence Garden](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/storytelling-and-shamisen-performance-the-ash-man-at-yasuda-residence)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Scenic Spot Kyu-Yasuda Kusuo Residence Garden (Bunkyo) · price on the official site
- **[Nezu Shrine Handicraft Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/nezu-shrine-handicraft-market)** — Sat, Mar 20, 2027 10:00 (JST) · Nezu Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry
- **[Nezu Shrine Handmade Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/nezu-shrine-handmade-market-2)** — Sat, Jan 16, 2027 10:00 (JST) · Nezu Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry

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## Questions people ask

**Are Ueno museums open on Mondays?**
Most are closed on Mondays and open on the Tuesday instead when Monday is a public holiday. Check each museum's calendar before you go.

**Is Ueno Park free?**
Yes, the park itself is free. The museums and the zoo charge entry, though some have free days such as International Museum Day in May.

**When does the lotus bloom at Shinobazu Pond?**
Usually from mid-July to mid-August. Go in the morning, because the flowers close around midday.

**How do I get from Ueno to Yanaka?**
Walk about 15 to 20 minutes north through the park, or take the JR line two stops to Nippori and walk up to Yanaka Ginza.

**When are the azaleas at Nezu Shrine?**
In April, during the Bunkyo Azalea Festival. Different varieties bloom one after another, so the hillside changes from week to week.

**Are there pandas at Ueno Zoo?**
Not at the moment. The zoo's last two giant pandas, the twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, returned to China in January 2026, and there are none on show now.

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