Tokyo Ueno | Ueno Park (Onshi-Koen) & Shinobazu Pond (No Ike)

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Tokyo Ueno | Ueno Park (Onshi-Koen) & Shinobazu Pond (No Ike)

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 00:00

Serves as one of the largest urban parks in Tokyo, Ueno Park is a popular getaway among city folks during weekends. It also draws huge crowd during cherry blossom season every year. Ueno Park is the home to more than 1000 cherry trees and is claimed as the top 10 best spots in Tokyo for Hanami or Cherry Blossom Party! Visitors from abroad and locals flock here to witness the beautiful sight of blooming Sakura in the presence of fresh spring. Tokyo Ueno Park - South entrance, adjacent to Kensei Ueno Station

Tokyo Ueno Park - South entrance, adjacent to Kensei Ueno Station

Ueno Onshi-Koen or literally means 'Ueno Imperial Gift Park' is the official name of the park, however it is better known as Ueno-Koen among the locals and Ueno Park to the tourists. Offers free admission for Hanami and Yozakura

Offers free admission for Hanami and Yozakura

Occupying the former site of Kan'ei-ji Temple that was built by Tokugawa shoguns to guard Edo Castle against the unlucky direction of north-east. However the temple was destroyed during Boshin War - a civil war between 1868 to 1869. Ueno Park was initiated as public park after a piece of huge land was granted by Emperor Taisho in 1924. Information is everywhere, hardly can get lost

Information is everywhere, hardly can get lost

Ueno Zoo - Japan's oldest zoo, established in 1882
Statue of Saigo Takamori - a Tokugawa loyalist & the icon of samurai spirit
There are two entrances leading into Ueno Park. Main entrance takes one directly to the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Science Museum, National Museum of Western Arts and Ueno Zoo. Whilst south entrance adjacent to Kensei Ueno Station offers a tunnel of cherry trees on the west wing and views of garden, sculpture, temple/shrine on the east path before ending at Tokyo National Museum. Refer to the general layout of Ueno Park and there are plenty of interesting paths to try for instance detouring to Toshugu Temple, Benten Hall Shrine and Shinobazu No Ike.
Breeding ground for home grown musicians and musical enthusiasts
Lotus Pond in spring, right is a handful of blooming Sakura trees
Shinobazu No Ike or Shinobazu Pond runs through a sizable area on the west of Ueno Park. Comprising three ponds namely Cormorant pond, Lotus Pond and Boat Pond, it also holds a little island within this natural water land. Birds, fish and plants inhabits here. During certain season, Shinobazu Pond may host up to several dozens of migratory birds. Boat for hire is also available on the little island, behind Benten Shrine to take you and little ones to enjoy the city scape at the same time unwind after a walk at Ueno Park!
Black-headed gull is resting on the signpost, while Tufted duck is swimming in Lotus Pond
Boat Pond of Shinobazu No Ike
A pair of Northern Pintail (left is female, right is male)
Attracts a long line of Black-headed gulls (birds) parking at the edge of the Shinobazu Pond
Opening hours: 0500 through 2300 hours.

Getting there?
Less than 5 minutes walk from Ueno Koen exit at Ueno Station (via JR Yamanote Line, Ginza Line or Hibiya Line) or right next to Ueno Kensei Station.

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