Zoos & aquariums
Ueno Zoo
Japan's Oldest Zoo
Opened in 1882, Ueno Zoo is Japan's oldest zoological garden and one of Tokyo's most-visited animal parks, known especially for its giant pandas. The grounds are split into two sections, once linked by a monorail that has since closed permanently, so visitors now walk or take a short detour between the eastern and western halves. Beyond pandas, the zoo houses a broad range of species and includes a small children's zoo area with domestic animals.
Getting There
The zoo sits at the edge of Ueno Park and is easily reached on foot from Ueno Station, Keisei Ueno Station, or Nezu Station, all within a few minutes' walk of an entrance. From central Tokyo, this means a train ride of roughly 10-20 minutes depending on your starting point, followed by a short walk through or alongside the park.
How Long to Stay
Most visitors spend two to three hours covering both the eastern and western sections. Add extra time if you want to watch feeding activity or linger at the panda enclosure, which tends to draw the longest waits.
When to Go
Arrive early in the day, especially on weekends and holidays, when queues for the panda exhibit can build up quickly. Weekday mornings tend to be calmer. Cherry blossom season in spring brings large crowds to Ueno Park generally, which spills over into the zoo as well.
Combine With
The zoo's location inside Ueno Park puts several museums within easy reach. The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is just 0.1km away, while the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo National Museum, and National Museum of Nature and Science are all about 0.5km away. A day combining the zoo with one or two of these museums works well, since they're all reachable on foot within the same park grounds.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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