Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal | Eastern Region

Ueno Zoo is Japan's oldest zoo, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Visual Characteristics

The zoo covers 14.3 hectares and features a variety of enclosures designed to mimic natural habitats. Structures include concrete buildings, wooden fences, and moats. Notable exhibits house species such as elephants, tigers, lions, and primates. The park itself contains mature trees and landscaped gardens.

Location & Access Logistics

Ueno Zoo is situated within Ueno Park. Access is via the JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, Joban Line, or Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line, alighting at Ueno Station. The zoo entrance is approximately a 5-minute walk from the station's Park Exit. Limited paid parking is available within Ueno Park, but is often at capacity. No specific bus lines directly serve the zoo entrance; public transport to Ueno Station is the primary method.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Ueno Zoo was established on March 20, 1882, making it the first zoological garden in Japan. It was originally part of the Tokyo Imperial Museum. The land itself is part of Ueno Park, which has a long history dating back to the Edo period, formerly belonging to Kaneiji Temple.

Key Highlights & Activities

Observe the giant pandas in the Panda House. View the rhinoceros and hippopotamus exhibits. Explore the primate house. Walk through the reptile and amphibian house. Attend scheduled feeding demonstrations (check daily schedule upon arrival). Participate in educational programs offered by the zoo.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are located throughout the zoo. Shaded areas are available in various sections, particularly near seating areas and within exhibit viewing spaces. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available. Food vendors and a restaurant are located within the zoo premises and in the surrounding Ueno Park.

Best Time to Visit

For optimal viewing of active animals, visit in the morning shortly after opening or in the late afternoon before closing. The months of April, May, October, and November generally offer the most pleasant weather conditions with average temperatures ranging from 15-25 degrees Celsius. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.

Facts & Legends

During World War II, all large animals, including elephants, were euthanized due to fears of bombing and subsequent escape. A specific elephant named Tonky is memorialized for this event. The zoo's oldest resident was a Galapagos tortoise named Hanako, who lived to be over 60 years old.

Nearby Landmarks

• Tokyo National Museum (0.3km North)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (0.4km North)
• National Museum of Nature and Science (0.5km North)
• Ueno Toshogu Shrine (0.6km North-West)
• Shinobazu Pond (0.7km South-West)