Ueno Zoo in Tokyo is the biggest and most visited zoo in Tokyo Metropolitan. Every day, thousands of visitors line up early before opening the main gate. So, if you decide to visit Tokyo Ueno Zoo, consider arriving there earlier.
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Where is Ueno Zoo?
The official name of the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo is Ueno Zoological Gardens, located in Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo.
It was founded in 1882 and is considered the oldest zoo in Japan.
The zoo has about 35.2 acres of area, with over 3,000 animals from 400 different species.
Three Gates:
Ueno Zoo has three convenient gates on three sides. The eastern part has one gate, which is called East Gate or Main Entrance. But, the Western part has two gates, the Western or Ikenohata Gate and South Gate or Benten Gate.
- East Gate or Main Entrance
- West Gate or Ikenohata Gate
- South Gate or Benten Gate
The Ueno Zoo has 63 sections. Some sections are kids friendly where kids can touch the pet animals.
However, some sections are unbelievably famous among these 63 sections of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Therefore, the visitors mostly spend time at these spots during their visit.
Eastern Gate:
East Gate or Main Entrance is located in the Eastern side of the zoo. Eastern part is the main part of the Tokyo Ueno Zoo.
a) Main Attraction:
1)Five Storied Pagoda Kaneiji
A five-story pagoda is located near the East Gate of Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, known as the Five-Story Pagoda. The documented name is Kaneiji.
A high official, Toshikatsu Doi, built it in 1631 and donated it to Toshogu Shrine, wishing him happiness. Five-story represent five essential elements, fire, water, earth, wind, and sky(heaven).
1)Giant Panda Ueno Zoo:
The giant panda house is the most famous animal house in the Ueno Zoo. The panda pan is located in front of the Five-story Pagoda.
The pandas’ names are lovely, such as Shin Shin, Ri Ri, Xiao Xiao, Lei Lei, etc. The zoo borrows these pandas from China, as you guess by hearing their names.
2) Seal and Sea Lion:
The surroundings where Seals and Sea Lions are kept are large. People can enjoy it. It’s one of the children’s favorite places to run and watch Seals’ swimmings.
B)Other animals & birds
1) Monkey cage
Monkey cages start from Five-Story Pagoda. However, the main and most exciting monkey cage is located after the Elephant house and near the East monorail counter.
2)Tiger Forest
Tiger Forest is a lovely and natural forest with an artificial wall. Unfortunately, it remains congested everyday. As a result, taking photos is not easy.
In addition, it’s hard to get great photos because of the unclear glass wall.
3) Ueno Zoo Gibbon Enclosure:
In Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Gibbon Enclosure comes after passing Tiger Forest. The gibbons provide enjoyment to the visitors sometimes.
4) Gorillas:
There are many gorillas in Ueno Zoo. However, they usually don’t come out during hot-sunny and cold days.
5) Ueno Zoo Bird Cage:
In Tokyo Ueno Zoo, Bird Cage with several colorful birds is a modern cage that looks natural.
Connections:
The Tokyo Ueno Zoo is divided into two parts Eastern and Western parts. Monorail and Aesop Bridge connected Western and Eastern part of the zoo.
1) Monorail
The train is the primary public transportation in Tokyo. However, not many monorail lines are available. So, it’s the place for kids to enjoy monorail between east to west or west to the east gate.
However, it is the shortest train journey in Tokyo metropolitan. It takes less than two minutes of the trip, precisely 90 seconds, which costs 150 Yen.
In short, it is fun that an excellent monorail ride with colorful animal paintings offers 90 seconds with 150 yen between the East and West Garden.
2) Aesop Bridge
Aesop pedestrian Bridge connected the west and western part of the Ueno Zoo.
It is the best photo spot for landscape photographers. People can see far from the bridge, including Shinobazu Pond Bentendo Shrine, Ueno Park Boat Dock, and most of the western and southern parts of the zoo.
Someone who does not want to use monorail can walk through Aesop Bridge to West Garden.
The East Garden is higher than West Garden.
West & South Gate:
1) Children Zoo:
In Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, this section is built for kids. Kids can even touch some of the pet animals here.
The section has some beautiful animals, like goats, sheep, alpacas, donkeys, pigs, etc.
2) Shoebill Pelicans:
Shoebill Pelican’s cage is very famous in Ueno Zoo, where people can take a nice selfie with their kids.
3) Maned Wolves:
Do you know what Maned Wolves is?
It is a large canine of South America, resembling foxes, but neither a fox nor a wolf.
4) Small Mammal House:
There is a small mammal House where various small Mammals are kept. It is dark but worth visiting because such mammals are hard to see outside the zoo.
5) Wolverine Lemur Boot:
Wolverine Lemurs are the cutest species in the zoo.
The Ueno Zoo in Tokyo built an excellent place for these small cute Wolverine Lemurs to play, and visitors can enjoy it.
6) Pavilion of Reptiles & Amphibians:
The pavilion of Reptiles and Amphibians’ house is the darkest place in the zoo. But, visitors enjoy the spot seeing very rare-sects retiles.
Opening Hours & Days:
Opening hours: 9:30 – 17:00 (Last ticket 16:00)
Closed: Monday
But it will remain closed on Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday or Tokyo Citizen’s Day, October 1, and New End & New Year, December 29 -January 1.
However, sometimes Monday or Tuesday is open, depending on Zoo authority.
Entrance Fees:
Ueno Zoo ticket price is reasonable. Many of Tokyo’s residents make Annual Entrance Pass and visit as much as they like.
However, daily pass usually less than what people guess. In addition, children are free, which is very convenient.
Adults(16-64): 600 yen
Seniors(65+): 300 yen
Students(13-15): 200 yen
Children(0-12): Free
Besides, the junior high school students who live in Tokyo are free, a disabled person with one assistant and group people more than 20 get 20% discount.
Free Entrance days:
Ueno Zoo’s Anniversary Day: March 20
Greenery Day: May 4
Tokyo Citizens’ Day: October 1
Payment:
Credit Cards: JCB, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover
E-money: Suica and Suica-compatible IC transit cards
However, Benten Gate and Kenohata Gate do not use the above payment except the main gate.
Services:
- Baby strollers
- coin-operated lockers
- non-motorized wheelchairs
- Gift shops
- snack bars
- restaurants.
Surroundings tourist spots:
Ueno Park is one of the famous tourist spots in Tokyo. As a result, many prominent museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, etc., are located near Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.
Besides, the best open Market Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street is located 5 minutes away from the zoo.
Access:
Nearest Station: Ueno JR Station
Walk 5 minutes(550m) from the station to Main Entrance.
Benten Gate:
a) JR Ueno Station Shinobazu Exit
5 minutes walk
b) Keisei Ueno Station
4 minutes walk
c) Subway Ueno Station (Ginza/Hibiya Line)
8 minutes walk
d) Ueno-okachimachi Station (Oedo Subway Line)
10 minutes walk
Ikenohata Gate:
Nezu Station (Chiyoda Subway Line).
5 minutes walk
Address:
Ueno Zoo, 9-83, Ueno Park, Taito-ku,
Tokyo 110-8711, Japan
Phone: 03-3828-5171
Official website:
Nearby Famous Attractions:
Bunkyo City, the educational heart of Tokyo, with many universities, numerous famous shrines, and amusement Parks, through West Gate or Ikenohata Gate.
Asakusa is the oldest area, famous a temple, called Sensoji Temple, through East Gate, from Ueno Subway Ginza Line- Asakusa Station. It takes only 4 minutes to Asakusa Sation and station to Sensoji Temple’s main Entrance Kaminarimon, only 2 minutes walk.
Book hotels in Ueno: