Beyond the Food Tour: Best Things to Do in Ueno

Have you wanted to discover a new area in Tokyo on your next trip to Japan? Arigato Travel just launched a brand new tour this summer in Ueno! Get ready to discover a place that combines modern and traditional Japan with vast nature, great eats, and rich culture! But what about activities before and after our tour? We’ve got you covered to explore even more of Ueno.

Morning with Nature and Culture in Ueno Park

When arriving in Ueno, immediately head to its center to experience the vast Ueno Park. Being one of the first public parks in Japan, this area does not just connect us to nature within the vast landscapes of Tokyo’s skyscrapers but also bridges the gap to history and culture. Taking a walk from North to South, you will be met with Shinobazu Pond, where you can experience a swan boat ride, the statue of Saigo Takamori, a legendary samurai, and a 5-storey pagoda and traditional teahouse. And this is just the beginning of the sights!

Ueno Park is also home to Ueno Zoo, along with several Japanese museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the Shitamachi Museum, just to name a few.

If you need to escape Tokyo’s humid heat in the summer, why not do so in one of these museums while learning about the city’s history? Ueno Park is also a popular destination for hanami, and visiting in spring puts you right in the midst of the long paths of cherry blossoms surrounding the park. It is a wonderful place to begin your Ueno adventure in the morning before our tour. As the heart of Ueno, the park branches out into many other areas to explore afterward.

Address: 5-20 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007

Open Hours: 5 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week

Phone Number: +81338285644

Website: https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/toubuk/ueno

Temples of Ueno

A Ueno visit would not be complete without seeing some of the temples within the park. Our tour will take you to one of these places of prayer, but don’t limit your trip to just one. Located within Ueno Park, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple is one of the park’s most notable structures and closely resembles Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple. If you want to avoid the crowds in Kyoto, this temple in Ueno offers a similar atmosphere. 

What sets Kiyomizu Kannon apart from the other temples in Ueno is its picturesque view from a raised wooden platform overlooking the park. From here, you can see across Shinobazu Pond toward Benten-do Temple, taking in the wide scenery and rich history of Ueno.

Address: 1-29 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007

Open Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week

Phone Number: +81338214749

Website: http://kiyomizu.kaneiji.jp/about

History Within Ueno at the Tokyo National Museum

Don’t leave the park just yet! No visit to Ueno would be complete without stopping by the Tokyo National Museum, Japan’s oldest and largest art museum. Step back in time as you explore traditional Japanese art and culture through more than 120,000 artifacts, multiple buildings with distinct architectural styles, and beautiful surrounding gardens.

The museum offers far more than historical artifacts and artwork. Its exhibitions are constantly changing, including displays by contemporary artists in Japan who blend Japanese culture and art to create a revisionary, thought-provoking experience. Even if you have visited before, these new exhibitions will give you plenty of reasons to return.

Visitors usually spend two to three hours here, so make sure to set aside some time before or after our tour to experience this world-class museum in Tokyo.

Address: 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712

Open Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm, Monday – Thursday. 9:30 am – 8 pm, Friday – Sunday

Phone Number: +815055418600

Website: https://www.tnm.jp/

Tokyo Boutiques at 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan

After learning about the food, culture, and history of Ueno on our tour, make your next stop the 2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan, a unique shopping complex with around 50 boutiques located beneath the railway tracks. Tucked away between Ueno and Akihabara, this hidden gem features cafés, artisan workshops, studios, and galleries filled with contemporary Tokyo art, leather goods, fabrics, woodwork, jewelry, and more.

It is a perfect place to find authentic souvenirs, as many shops in the district sell one-of-a-kind designs and pieces. More than just a place to browse and shop, this hidden creative hub offers a chance to connect with local artists and shop owners who bridge the gap between traditional and modern Japan.

Address: 5 Chome-9 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005

Open Hours: 11 am – 7 pm, 6 days a week (Closed Wednesdays)

Phone Number: +81368060254

Website: http://www.jrtk.jp/2k540/

Performing Arts in Japan

The day is still not over yet! Ueno still has more to offer as the perfect way to wind down after a busy day of eating and shopping: with a traditional performance at Suzumoto Performing Arts Center. This venue features traditional Japanese storytelling and comedy, especially rakugo.

Rakugo is a comedic storytelling performance in which a storyteller uses only their paper fan and a small cloth as props, bringing the audience into an entirely new world through voice, gesture, and imagination. The hall also features other performances, such as magic shows and musical comedy, with programs rotating every ten days. Visitors are encouraged to experience one of Japan’s traditional comedic arts in this unique Ueno theater.

Address: 2 Chome-7-12 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005

Phone Number: +81338345906

Website: http://www.rakugo.or.jp/

As we spend a day in Ueno, we discover that it sits at the center of Tokyo’s culture, home not only to skyscrapers and museums, but also to hundreds of temples, shrines, and traditional foods. Our newest tour in this historic area takes visitors through Ueno’s rich history, but there are only so many hours in a day to fully encapsulate everything Ueno has to offer. With this guide, you can go beyond your time with Arigato Travel and continue exploring Ueno on your own, perhaps even discovering your new favorite place in Tokyo!

Featured Photo Credit: Keisuke Higashio

Ready to jump into Ueno? Book our brand new 10 Tastes of Tokyo: Ueno tour today and get ready to discover the area’s greatest foods and hidden gems!