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UENO
Pandas at the zoo
The Ameyoko market and the screams of the vendors
Museums for a journey into culture
Tips
Pandas at the zoo
The Ameyoko market and the screams of the vendors
Museums for a journey into culture
Culture, vitality and... screams
A few steps from the bustling railway station of Ueno is a haven of culture and relaxation.
In the large Ueno park next to the station there are several museums, a lake for small boats, a temple with pagoda and a zoo famous for its fluffy local mascots: pandas.
The park becomes the main destination in April, when the cherry blossoms.
To see the Ameyoko market, however, just follow the Yamanote line towards Okachimachi and you will find yourself in the busy shopping street where vendors shout at the top of their voices to invite you to buy clothes, spices, cosmetics or fresh fish.
Pink, crimson, black and white: a colorful park.
Ueno Park is always full of colour, thanks not only to the pink of the cherry trees that, albeit briefly, bloom in all their glory in the spring, but also the peach colour of the lotus flowers in summer and the black and white of the pandas in the zoo.
Seasonal highlights include picnics in the shade of the cherry trees and lotus blossoms to be photographed in the Shinobazu pond; And for when fatigue begins to set in, there are cafés with terraces where you can recover your energy.
Japan's oldest zoo
And it is precisely energy that is needed to visit the vast Ueno Zoo, which requires at least half a day to see it all together with its approximately 3000 animals of 300 different species, including gorillas, tigers, Asian elephants, polar bears and giraffes.
The real stars 'in black and white', however, are the giant pandas: although it will only be possible to observe them for a few minutes, they are certainly worth the long queue.
The main entrance is in just five minutes' walk from the UENO JR.
The zoo is divided into Eastern Gardens and Western Gardens. In the Oriental Gardens are the Gorilla Woods, Tiger Forest, Elephant Forest, Polar Bear and Seal Oceans and a five-storey pagoda with a tea ceremony hall called Kankan-tie.
The Panda Forest, a new breeding ground for giant pandas and other animals living in their habitat, opened in the Western Gardens in September 2020.
To complete the visit, there are also souvenir shops and restaurants.
From the dark years of the past to the vitality of today
The origins of Ameyoko date back to the post-World War II black market, when stalls sold a variety of products from sweets to military clothing.
A special atmosphere still hovers along the 500 metres of this shopping street that has grown significantly and is often crowded with people eager to buy cheap fresh fish, cosmetics, clothing and costume jewellery.
Also along the street echoing the shouts of vendors who seem to be competing to see who can shout the loudest and most enthusiastic.
Among the many small shops next to each other, military suits and items stand out, as well as the wide selection of spices in the Ameyoko Centre Building.
Don't forget to try Ameyoko's delicious street foods that pay homage to the pandas of the Ueno Zoo such as panda-yaki, panda bread and bento panda boxes.
Many museums to satisfy every cultural curiosity
Ueno is home to several world-class museums within walking distance of each other.
The National Museum of Western Art, in addition to its permanent exhibition with works by Claude Moet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso and Pollock also holds temporary exhibitions.
Another nice place to visit is the Ueno Royal Museum, which exhibits everything from the latest contemporary art created by young artists to popular manga exhibitions.
If you are interested in traditional Japanese artwork, you should instead visit the Tokyo National Museum, with 150 years of history and a vast collection of oriental and ancient artworks, as well as ukiyo-e prints, ceramics and swords.
And at the National Museum of Nature and Science you will find exhibitions exploring the history of science and technology from various angles, with a particular interest in dinosaurs.
Ueno Park
Ueno Park is a large public park located in Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.
It is a popular destination for both tourists and locals, and is home to many museums, temples, and other cultural attractions.
Some of the notable attractions in Ueno Park include the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the Ueno Zoo, and the Kaneiji Temple.
The park is also known for its cherry blossoms, which attract many visitors in the spring.
There are many restaurants, food stalls, and souvenir shops in and around the park, making it a great place to spend the day.
There are many things to do in Ueno Park, depending on your interests. Some of the most popular attractions in the park include:
Visit the museums: Ueno Park is home to several world-class museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the National Museum of Nature and Science. These museums are great places to learn about Japanese and international art, history, and culture.
See the cherry blossoms: Ueno Park is one of the most popular places in Tokyo to view cherry blossoms, or sakura, in the spring. The park is filled with cherry blossom trees, and it's a beautiful sight to see the trees in full bloom.
Visit the temples: Ueno Park is home to several temples, including the Kaneiji Temple and the Bentendo Temple. These temples are peaceful places to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the park.
Go to the zoo: The Ueno Zoo is located in the park and is home to many animals, including pandas, lions, and monkeys. It's a great place to spend a few hours, especially if you have kids.
Shop and eat: There are many food stalls and restaurants in and around Ueno Park, offering a wide variety of Japanese and international foods. There are also many souvenir shops where you can buy gifts and mementos of your visit.
![National Museum of Western Art Ueno](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/6dc49952-2106-49bc-b8a3-c8256dcad524/ueno-1043604.jpg)
National Museum of Western Art Ueno
![Entrance of Ueno Zoo where there are pandas](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/670dae18-c263-4a2b-b7f4-803af991463a/ueno-1355588.jpg)
Entrance of Ueno Zoo where there are pandas
![Ueno park on sunny day](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/a4ca69d7-03ff-457f-a621-d440f19e95b8/ueno-1355577.jpg)
Ueno park on sunny day
![Ueno Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/343ce1e8-e424-480b-b997-3b54f2455e29/ueno-1043608.jpg)
Ueno Park
![Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ballet Hall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/45db5181-143f-49b5-93c1-eaf802131e18/ueno-1043600.jpg)
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ballet Hall
![Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ballet Hall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/97ea2922-ee2f-4c53-9f88-f8ca396e8f32/ueno-1043598.jpg)
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ballet Hall
![Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ballet Hall](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/9bccd3e2-c90b-42a4-a279-ce84aba6e769/ueno-1043596.jpg)
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ballet Hall
![Panda of Ueno Zoo](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fa81ad20648af2e7a28ffd8/f4e74489-9aa3-4cad-8380-06ab9427c44e/ueno-1043568.jpg)
Panda of Ueno Zoo
Ameya-Yokochō
Ameya-Yokochō (meaning "candy street alley") is a shopping district located in the Ueno area of Tokyo, Japan.
It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and is known for its street food stalls and small independent shops selling a wide variety of goods, including clothes, electronics, and toys. Ameya-Yokochō is also known for its lively atmosphere and the many street performers and musicians who entertain visitors. The district is located just a short walk from Ueno Station, making it easy to access from many parts of Tokyo.
Ameyoko (ア メ 横) is a market along the Yamanote line tracks between Okachimachi and Ueno stations. The name 'Ameyoko' is a shortened form of 'Ameya Yokocho' (candy shop alley), as candy was traditionally sold there. Alternatively, 'Ame' also means 'America' because many American products were available there when the street was a black market location in the years following World War II.
Today, various products such as clothes, handbags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried food and spices are sold at Ameyoko. Opening and closing times depend on the individual shops, but shops generally open around 10am and close around 8pm. Many shops are closed on Wednesdays.
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Things to do in Ueno
This is my suggestion and my chart about activities to do in Ueno
Bibliography, sources and references
The Rough Guide to Tokyo
By Jan Dodd, Simon Richmond · 2001
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Rough_Guide_to_Tokyo/alKrRjsAYfEC?hl=en&gbpv=0
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