Ueno Park is a large public park located next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. Known for its beautiful cherry blossoms and cultural attractions, it’s a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists.

History The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, one of the city’s largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period. After the Boshin Civil War, which followed the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the temple grounds were converted into one of Japan’s first Western-style parks and opened to the public.

Attractions: Ueno Park is home to a variety of attractions, including:

• Ueno Zoo: Japan’s first zoological garden, famous for its pandas.
• Shinobazu Pond: A large pond representing Lake Biwako. In the middle of the pond stands Bentendo, a temple hall dedicated to the goddess of Benten.
• Museums: The park houses several museums, including the Ueno Royal Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Tokyo National Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
• Temples and Shrines: The park is home to several temples and shrines, including Kaneiji Temple and Kiyomizu Kannon Temple.

Events Ueno Park is famous for its cherry blossom viewing spots. Every spring, the park draws crowds of more than 2 million people during the Sakura season.