[4K] Walking in Ueno Park, which has a history of 140 years
Updated: Sep 19, 2021
Walking tour route in Ueno Park
Ueno Park, which has been in operation for over 140 years, is a lush metropolitan park that represents Japan's urban parks. Many historically important cultural facilities, such as the Tokyo National Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the Ueno Zoo, are concentrated in the vicinity, allowing visitors to become familiar with high quality art and culture.
Ueno Park is home to many places of interest. There are so many places to see in Ueno Onshi Park that one day is not enough time to enjoy them all! Enjoy strolling around the park in a targeted manner according to the season and your purpose.
I hope this walking route helps you plan your Tokyo sightseeing trip!
What is Ueno Park, Tokyo Japan
Since its completion and opening in 1876, it has been one of the first parks in Japan to be designated as a park. Since its completion and opening in 1876, it has been one of the first parks in Japan to be designated as a national park, and has been a popular place for the people of Tokyo to relax for 140 years.
"Ueno Park is called "Ueno no Yama" (Ueno Mountain) because it is located on the "Ueno Plateau," a tongue-shaped plateau formed at the end of the Musashino Plateau. It is also called "Ueno Forest" because of its green appearance.
After the Meiji Restoration, the park became government-owned land, and was later given to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government via the Imperial Household Agency.
Later, "Tokyo National Museum," "National Museum of Western Art," "National Museum of Nature and Science," "Ueno Zoological Gardens," and other facilities were newly established, and now a number of facilities are scattered in the wide site of about 530,000 square meters. The park has been transformed into a culturally scented park.
In addition, the "Ueno Onshi Park Revitalization and Improvement Project" is being carried out from FY2010 to FY2015. As one of Japan's leading urban parks, this project aims to revitalize the park as a place where art and culture are transmitted to the world.
Traditionally, Ueno is known for its ornate temples and shrines, such as the 17th-century Benzaiten, which stands on an island in Shinobazuno Pond in Ueno Park.
Cultural facilities in the park include the Tokyo National Museum, which displays Japanese artifacts, and the National Museum of Western Art, which houses works by modern masters such as Van Gogh and Picasso.
The nearby outdoor market, Ameya Yokocho, offers a wide variety of food, clothing, and accessories.
Shinobazu Pond and Benten Island (Nakanoshima)
Shinobazu Pond is a large natural pond that stretches to the south of Ueno Onshi Park. In the center of Shinobazuno Pond, there is Benten Island (Nakanoshima), which is dedicated to Benzaiten (Goddess of Mercy). Shinobazuno Pond is also characterized by an embankment designed for promenading, which is divided into three ponds. It consists of the Boat Pond, where rowboats, swan boats, and cycle boats can be enjoyed, the Lotus Pond, which is covered all around, and the Cormorant Pond, where cormorants breed.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine (Important Cultural Property)
Ueno Toshogu Shrine, where Ieyasu Tokugawa, Yoshimune Tokugawa, and Yoshinobu Tokugawa are enshrined, was built in 1627 by Takatora Todo, who served the Tokugawa family.
There are five important cultural properties designated by the national government. The "Honden" (main hall), with gorgeous carvings on its outer walls, is also called "Kinshikiden. Don't miss the Karamon Gate, with its carvings of ascending and descending dragons, and the Tohru Fence, with its beautiful carvings of vividly colored animals and plants.
Other attractions include the 48 bronze lanterns dedicated by feudal lords from all over Japan, and the Oishi Torii gate, which was so sturdy that it didn't even lean a little during the Great Kanto Earthquake.