Travel / Tokyo Metropolis

Ueno Zoo (Onshi Ueno Zoological Gardens)

Opened in 1882, Japan's oldest zoo. Spread across East and West gardens within Ueno Park, Tokyo, this premier facility is home to a wide variety of animals including gorillas, tigers, and elephants.

Key Facts August 9, 2026 · confirmed on official site

Access: 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit or Shinobazu Exit). 4-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station. 8-minute walk from Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya lines. 10-minute walk from Ueno-Okachimachi Station on the Toei Oedo Line.
Duration: Approx. 2–3 hours (allow half a day to explore both East and West gardens thoroughly)
Price: General (high school students and above) ¥600; ages 65 and over ¥300; junior high school students ¥200 (free for junior high students residing or attending school in Tokyo); elementary school age and under free
Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM)
Closed: Every Monday (if Monday is a public holiday, closed the following Tuesday); December 29–January 1

Visit official site ↗

Source: Opening Hours, Closing Days, and Admission Fees | Ueno Zoo (confirmed August 9, 2026)
Source: 交通アクセス | 上野動物園 (confirmed August 9, 2026)

Prices and hours may change. Please check the official site before you go.

Japan's Oldest Zoo: A History of More Than 140 Years

Onshi Ueno Zoological Gardens opened in March 1882 (the 15th year of the Meiji era), making it the oldest zoo in Japan. The word "Onshi" (meaning "imperial gift") in its name traces back to the time when the grounds were donated by the Imperial Household Ministry to the city of Tokyo; today the zoo is operated by the Tokyo Zoological Park Society, a public interest incorporated foundation. Located within Ueno Park in Taito City, Tokyo, the zoo is divided into two expansive areas—the East Garden and the West Garden—which together house a diverse range of animals. Over its 140-plus-year history the zoo has repeatedly renewed its approach to animal exhibits, and today visitors are welcomed by zone-based layouts focused on animal ecology, including "The Forest of Gorillas and Tigers," "The Nocturnal Animals Forest," and "Steppy Children's Zoo." Admission is ¥600 for general visitors (high school students and above), ¥300 for ages 65 and over, and ¥200 for junior high school students. Children of elementary school age and under enter free, making this a budget-friendly destination for families with young kids. Junior high school students who live or attend school in Tokyo also enter free, and the zoo has long been a beloved venue for school field trips.

The Panda Sanctuary: Its Present and Its History

For many people, Ueno Zoo is synonymous with giant pandas. Since Lan Lan and Kang Kang arrived in Japan in 1972, "the pandas of Ueno" have captivated the entire country for half a century. In 2021, the birth of twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei sparked enormous excitement, a moment still fresh in many people's memories. However, in January 2026 Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were returned to a conservation research center in China, and according to the official website (checked August 9, 2026), giant pandas are not currently on display. If your main reason for visiting is to see pandas, we recommend checking the official website for the latest information before you go. The panda-themed area "Panda no Mori" (Panda Forest) still retains its name, offering a sense of the deep history Ueno Zoo has shared with pandas over the years.

Gorillas, Tigers, Nocturnal Animals… Plenty to See Even Without the Pandas

With the pandas away, now is the perfect time to rediscover just how wide Ueno Zoo's animal lineup really is. In the West Garden's "Forest of Gorillas and Tigers," you can observe a troop of western lowland gorillas up close as they behave naturally—their expressions and gestures are compelling enough to make even adults stop in their tracks. In the East Garden, the "Nocturnal Animals Forest" uses reversed day-night lighting to let you experience nocturnal creatures in their active state, revealing the true faces of animals that usually stay hidden in the dark. Meanwhile, "Steppy Children's Zoo" is a hands-on zone where kids can interact with guinea pigs, goats, and other small animals—a must-visit area for families with young children. The East and West gardens are connected on foot (the monorail is currently undergoing an extended suspension, so please check the official website for the latest information before your visit). The zoo features wide, stroller-friendly paths throughout, and rest areas along with dining options (a restaurant and snack corner) are conveniently located throughout the grounds.

A Packed Day: Combining the Zoo with Ueno Park

Another major draw of Ueno Zoo is its location at the heart of Ueno Park, one of Tokyo's premier cultural districts. The Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Western Art, and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum are all within walking distance, giving you enormous flexibility to build a full-day itinerary combining the zoo with any of them. A popular route is: "Morning: zoo (2–3 hours) → Lunch (inside the zoo or in the surrounding park area) → Afternoon: National Museum of Nature and Science or Tokyo National Museum (2 hours)." Watching animals in the morning and exploring history or science in the afternoon makes for a stimulating day for kids and adults alike. On the way home, a stroll through Ameyoko market near JR Ueno Station for souvenirs is always a good idea. The zoo gets noticeably crowded during summer vacation (July–August) and cherry blossom season (March–April). Arriving right at opening, between 9:30 and 10:00 AM, is the least stressful time and allows you to explore at a leisurely pace. Access is excellent—just a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit)—and the fact that you can get here entirely by public transit is a major plus.

How this character would spend the day

Kenta's Itinerary: An Efficient Dad's Full Day in Ueno

9:30Enter through the main gate right at opening. Head straight to the West Garden's "Forest of Gorillas and Tigers" before the crowds arrive and take your time watching the gorilla troop. Just this alone will feel worth the trip.
10:30Move to the East Garden and visit the "Nocturnal Animals Forest." Look forward to your kids asking, "Why is it dark if it's daytime?"
11:30Head to "Steppy Children's Zoo" for time with the small animals. While the kids play, grab a rest on a bench for yourself—this part is important.
12:30Lunch at the zoo's restaurant or on the park lawn. If it's too crowded, retreat to a restaurant near Ueno Station. Look up one or two options in advance to avoid stress.
13:30Leave the zoo and head to the National Museum of Nature and Science. Hit the dinosaur and space sections, then wrap up by 4:00 PM. Walk back through Ameyoko and say "Let's come again" on the way out.