Ueno Onshi Park / Shinobazu-no-ike Pond

Information

Ueno Onshi Park (or generally called Ueno Park) spreads over 532,000 square meters around Ueno Hill. During the Boshin War (1868 - 1869), Ueno Hill was the site of a last-ditch defense of the Tokugawa Shogunate by Shogi-tai, a troop formed by 2,000 Tokugawa loyalists. After completing the military phase of the Meiji Restoration, the new Meiji government transformed this place into the Japan’s first public park in 1873 along with Shiba Park, Asukayama Park, Asakusa Park, and Fukagawa Park.
What is unique about Ueno Park is its high concentration of modern art and cultural facilities in the lush forest, rich in historic monuments and relics of the Edo and early Meiji Periods. In the park's premises there are a zoo, art museums, ponds and temples. There are also cafés which let visitors relax while enjoying the nature during breaks from stroll. In spring, cherry blossom is one of its prime landscapes and attracts blossom-viewing parties during the season.
Just below the hill on the zoo property is Shinobazu-no-ike Pond. The pond is said to have formed by shoreline change in the Muromachi Period (1336 - 1573). Many migrating wildfowl such as mallards and pintails visit the pond, making this pond a great place for bird watching in the midst of the metropolis. With its cherry blossoms in spring, and water lilies blooming in summer, the pond is a popular spot for vacationers during these seasons.

Opening Hours

• Open 24 hours

Closed

• No closing days

Price / Entrance Fee

• Admission Free

Access / Public Transport

• Short walk from JR Ueno Station or JR Okachimachi Station
• Short walk from Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Main Line (KS01)
• 5 minutes walk from Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (G16) or Hibiya Line (H17)
• 5 minutes walk from Ueno-okachimachi Station on the Toei Oedo Line (E09)

Address / Location

• 5-20, Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0007

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