Visit Japan Web Ueno
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Ueno. Take a brief stroll from the bustling Ueno Station and immerse yourself in a cultural and recreational paradise. Expansive Ueno Park adjacent to the station hosts numerous museums, a large boating pond and a shrine. There’s also a sizable zoo that is home to the iconic symbol of the area, the panda. Many Buddhist temples are in the area, including the Bentendo temple dedicated to goddess Benzaiten, on an island in Shinobazu Pond.
In April, the park becomes the center of attention as numerous cherry trees burst into bloom. Notably, Shinobazu Pond is a 16-hectare lake with extensive lotus beds and marshland, providing crucial wintering grounds for birds.
At the southwestern extremity of the park is Shinobazu Pond, serving as a poignant reminder of Kaneiji Temple’s former magnificence. The pond symbolizes Lake Biwako, a nod to Kaneiji’s architectural inspiration, the Enryakuji Temple of Kyoto, which gazes over Lake Biwako. Situated on an islet in the middle of the pond is Bentendo, a temple hall venerating the goddess of Benten.
The panda is an iconic symbol of the zoo. The first pandas was gifted from China in 1972. Since then, the Ueno Zoo has successfully bred them despite the challenging nature of the task. Heading towards neighboring Okachimachi Station on the Yamanote Line, one can experience Ameyoko. It is a lively shopping street where the distinct calls of market sellers offer a wide range of goods including clothing, spices, cosmetics, and fresh fish.
