Ueno Park One-Day Course Guide Recommendation

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🌸 Why Ueno Park?
• A meeting of history and nature: Opened in 1873 as one of Japan’s first parks, it was created by converting the site of an old temple into a park .
• A famous spot for flowers all year round: In spring, it’s spectacular with 1,200 cherry blossom trees; summer features lotus flowers, autumn has colorful foliage, and winter offers beautiful scenery ().
• A cultural hub: The park houses six major museums including the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, Science Museum, and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum ().

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⏰ Hours & Admission
• Park opening hours: Open daily from 5 AM to 11 PM .
• Admission times and fees for museums, zoo, and other facilities vary, so be sure to check in advance.

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🗺 Recommended One-Day Course

1. Morning: Park Walk & Cherry Blossom or Lotus Viewing
• Shinobazu Pond: Enjoy the Benten-do Shrine on the pond and seasonal flowers .
• Saijō Garden in the western part: Start your park walk quietly.

2. Late Morning: Museum Exploration
• Tokyo National Museum: Exhibits of traditional Japanese art and artifacts. Free admission on certain days and paid special exhibitions available ().
• National Museum of Western Art: View masterpieces by Claude Monet, Van Gogh, and others in a building designed by Le Corbusier ().

3. Lunch: Ameyoko & Nearby Dining
• Ameyoko Shopping Street: Enjoy fresh seafood rice bowls and Japanese street food ().
• Nearby park eateries: Quiet cafes for a light brunch or bento boxes are also great.

4. Afternoon: Zoo & Temple Walk
• Ueno Zoo: Home to about 3,000 animals including pandas, tigers, and elephants; panda viewing is very popular .
• Explore temple areas like Ueno Toshogu Shrine and Kiyomizu Kannon-do .

5. Late Afternoon: Boat Ride & Relaxation
• Pond rowboat experience: Options include rowboats, cycle boats, and swan boats (10:00 AM–6:00 PM, some winter closures) ().
• Music events or performances are often held around the outdoor stage ().

6. Evening: Cherry Blossom Festival (Spring) or Night View
• Cherry blossom season (around April): Enjoy cherry blossoms illuminated beautifully at night ().
• Great to end the day at a café terrace near the park.