10 Best Ueno Tours 2024: Enjoy Ueno Park & Ameyoko Drinking District!
Ueno in Tokyo is a popular tourist destination with many attractions, including Ueno Zoo, national art museums, and Ameyoko. It offers a deeper experience of Japanese culture compared to other tourist spots in Tokyo.
Ueno Park houses nine museums, art galleries, and theaters, showcasing the area's rich cultural offerings.
Ameyoko is lined with numerous food stalls and shops. Located in the area known as "Shitamachi" (downtown), it has been bustling with people for over 70 years and is always full of energy.
Ueno is also popular due to its easy access from Tokyo Station and other tourist spots. However, it can be challenging for tourists to fully enjoy all that Ueno has to offer on their own.
In this article, we'll introduce recommended Ueno tours that will help you enjoy even the deep, local spots that only natives know about.
Three Recommended Tours to Enjoy Izakayas in Ameyoko, the Symbol of Ueno
We'll introduce three tours that let you enjoy Ameyoko, a lively street lined with numerous shops and eateries. Ameyoko is one of Japan's largest shopping streets, with 400 shops along a 500-meter stretch. It's bustling with people enjoying shopping, drinking, and dining throughout the day.
I've visited Ameyoko several times in the past, and each time I discover new shops. There's a wide variety, from famous tourist spots to places only locals know about. Every visit brings fresh encounters.
The izakayas in Ameyoko have a warm atmosphere characteristic of Tokyo's downtown, which is another attractive point. People of all genders and generations enjoy drinking in a friendly atmosphere.
Even though I'm usually a bit shy, I find myself becoming friends with people sitting next to me in these places. Please join a tour and enjoy this atmosphere!
Eat and Drink Like a Local: Tokyo Ueno Food Tour
Source: Viator
This Ueno tour is recommended for first-time visitors to Tokyo. You can visit places loved by locals that you won't find in typical tourist guidebooks. Enjoy common Japanese foods like sashimi and kushiyaki, along with drinks.
You'll visit several izakayas with a knowledgeable guide. The guide will handle all ordering, so you can comfortably visit shops where there are few tourists. Feel free to ask questions about the food and drinks.
After visiting 2-3 izakayas, you'll head to a ramen shop. In Japan, it's common to end a night of drinking and light eating with a final meal called "shime," and ramen is a classic choice for this.
Meeting point:
Starbucks Coffee - atré Ueno
Japan, 〒110-0005 Tokyo, Taito City, Ueno, 7-chōme−1−１ atré Ueno 1F
Tour area: Ueno
Start time:
Duration: 3 hours
All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
If you want to enjoy Japanese drinks to your heart's content, this tour is recommended. On this tour, you'll visit izakayas that offer "nomihodai" (all-you-can-drink) within a set time. Drinks include Japanese beers, cocktails, sake, and non-alcoholic beverages.
You'll visit three izakayas in lively alleyways with your tour guide. The tour fee includes food and drink costs, so you can join the tour without bringing anything.
Enjoy plenty of standard Japanese meals and drinks in the back streets of Tokyo's Ueno, such as yakitori, okonomiyaki, oden, and kushikatsu. The tour concludes at a comfortable standing bar or ramen shop.
Meeting point:
In front of the object near Ueno Station Hirokoji Exit
Tour area: Ueno
Start time: 17:00 or 18:00
Duration: 3.5 hours
Tokyo: Locals' Secret Food Tour // Food & Drinks Included!
Source: Tripadvisor
On this tour, you can enjoy foods loved by locals. You'll get to savor popular Japanese staples like sushi, gyoza, yakitori, and ramen.
For Japanese people, sushi paired with sake and gyoza paired with beer are considered the best combinations. For yakitori, it's recommended to pair it with either sake or beer, whichever you prefer.
In Ameyoko, many people enjoy drinking outdoors. Feel free to enjoy the lively izakaya atmosphere as if you were a local.
The tour concludes with delicious ramen at a hidden gem restaurant.
"Even after eating and drinking plenty, somehow you still crave ramen." If you join this tour, you'll understand this Japanese sentiment!
Meeting point:
In front of "Andersen" on the 1st floor of Atre Ueno Nanabancho
Andersen Atre Ueno, Japan, 110-0005 Tokyo, Taito City, Ueno, 7-chōme1１ Atre Ueno Nanabancho 1F
Start time: 11:30 or 18:00
Duration: 3 hours
Three Popular Walking Tours to Enjoy Nature and Museums in Ueno Park
Next, we'll introduce three tours that allow you to enjoy the cultural aspects of Ueno.
Ueno Park has many cultural facilities, including art museums, museums, and traditional Japanese gardens. Not only are the exhibits valuable, but the buildings themselves are also historically significant and beautiful.
We'll introduce tours where you can learn about, experience historical culture, and enjoy beautiful nature.
The Tokyo Pass: Museums, Gardens, Zoos, Aquariums & Subway Ticket
Source: Tripadvisor
THE TOKYO PASS allows you to enjoy cultural sightseeing in Tokyo cashlessly. Using a dedicated app, you can enter over 50 cultural facilities, including the Tokyo National Museum, without tickets.
You can enter the following facilities with THE TOKYO PASS:
- Tokyo National Museum
- National Museum of Nature and Science
- Ueno Zoo
- Former Iwasaki Residence Garden
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
You can purchase passes for 2 days, 3 days, or 5 days. Each pass also has an option to add a Tokyo subway ticket for the corresponding period. This is recommended for those who want to leisurely visit representative cultural facilities in Ueno and surrounding areas over time.
You can enjoy more museums and art galleries without the hassle of queuing to purchase admission tickets.
Meeting point: None
Start time: According to the opening hours of each facility
Duration: About 1-2 hours per facility
From Asakusa: Old Tokyo, Temples, Gardens and Pop Culture
Source: Viator
This tour is recommended for those who want to experience historically important Japanese culture such as temples and gardens, and for those who want to know more detailed information about Japanese manners. You'll tour spots in the city in small groups of up to 8 people.
Starting from Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, you'll walk around the Ueno area, Akihabara, and the traditional Japanese garden Koishikawa Korakuen. You can learn more deeply about Japanese culture by listening to the guide's explanations about etiquette and traditions.
When I visited a Japanese garden before, I saw many foreign tourists. Most tourists just appreciate the beauty of the garden and leave. However, the rocks and stones placed in the garden actually have meanings. By learning knowledge from the guide that you wouldn't know just by visiting, your sightseeing will surely become more meaningful.
Meeting point: 1-chōme-1-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo
Start time: 8:30 or 13:30
Duration: 4 hours
For those who want to enjoy Akihabara, the holy land of anime and manga, "Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour" is also recommended!
For those who love games, anime, and manga, this tour is recommended to fully enjoy Akihabara.
In retro video game stores, you can see and purchase retro games that are now rarely seen in daily life. At a maid cafe, one of Akihabara's representative cultures, you can take photos with adorably cute maids. You'll also visit shops that deal with numerous figures and cosplay goods.
With a local guide, you can enjoy shops that first-time visitors to Akihabara might hesitate to enter. You can casually enjoy Akihabara, which is packed with unique and rich Japanese culture.
Meeting point:
In front of the Ticket Office right outside of Electric Town Gate of JR Akihabara station
Start time: 14:00
Duration: 3 hours
Cherry Blossom highlights, Asakusa, Ueno, Imperial Palace Garden
Source: Tripadvisor
This is a tour where you can fully enjoy Tokyo's cherry blossoms. You'll visit famous cherry blossom spots such as Ueno Park, Imperial Palace Garden, and Sensoji Temple. You'll also enjoy fresh sushi from Tsukiji.
For Japanese people, admiring cherry blossoms in spring is an important culture that has continued for a long time. Many cherry trees are planted in Tokyo, and you can see beautiful and gorgeous scenery in many places in the city every spring.
The places visited on the tour may change depending on the season and time, but they are all well-known spots widely recognized by Japanese people. Among them, Ueno Park, where more than 1,000 cherry trees are planted, was particularly beautiful when I visited in the past, with full-bloom cherry blossoms coloring the scenery and combining beautifully with the temples in the park.
Please enjoy the beautiful Japanese spring when it gets warm.
Meeting point:
The Tour Guide will meet you at your hotel's lobby.
Start time: 9:00
Duration: 7-8 hours
Three Recommended Food Tours to Enjoy Japanese Food and Drinks Around Ueno
Here, we'll introduce tours where you can enjoy meals and drinks. The area around Ueno is called "shitamachi" and has many reasonably priced restaurants, bustling with people day and night.
There are quite a lot of shops, so choosing which ones to visit is very important. With a tour guided by locals, you can visit shops loved by locals that you wouldn't find just for tourism purposes.
Secret Food Tours Tokyo w/ Private Tour Option
Source: Viator
This tour is recommended for those who want to know about restaurants that locals flock to. Explore Ueno, overflowing with Japanese culture, and enjoy delicious meals. As it's a private tour, choices can be made according to your dietary habits and preferences.
You'll visit 9 spots and can try many types of food including sushi, gyoza, Japanese-style croquettes, and matcha ice cream.
In Ameyoko, there's an area called "Gadoshita" (under the girder). This refers to the area under the elevated railway tracks, where there are several restaurants. There are many reasonably priced izakayas, bustling with people enjoying drinks from daytime.
This tour also visits Gadoshita. Enjoy the unique Ueno atmosphere that you can't find in other tourist spots in Tokyo.
Meeting point:
Inside JR Ueno Station building (outside the JR Central Gate), near the entrance of Hard Rock Cafe
Start time: 11:00
Duration: 3.5 hours
Ueno Bar hopping & Food crawl Local shopping street Walking Tour!
Source: Tripadvisor
This is a recommended tour for those who want to enjoy drinking in Ueno like locals. You'll enjoy bar hopping in Ameyoko with a guide who loves drinks. The guide will suggest recommended spots and things to eat that suit you.
First, you'll visit two izakayas in Ameyoko. Then, at the end of the tour, you'll enjoy delicious ramen. By the end of the tour, you'll likely have formed a bond with other tour participants.
Although the izakayas may look similar from the outside, each has its own character. By visiting two, you'll be able to feel the differences. Enjoy Japanese izakaya culture to the fullest, mixing with the locals.
A female guide accompanies the tour, so even women participating alone can enjoy it with peace of mind.
Meeting spot:
In front of Starbucks at Atre Ueno
Start time: Selectable between 11:30-18:30
Duration: 3 hours
Dine Like A Local In Ueno Market Food Tour With Friendly Guide
Source: Viator
If you want to enjoy meals at more local restaurants, this tour is recommended. In small groups of less than 10 people, you'll visit local markets and restaurants. A knowledgeable and friendly guide will accompany you.
You can visit shops that only locals know about, which you wouldn't find just by walking around Ueno or searching online.
You'll stroll through Ueno Park and enjoy street food like takoyaki. You can experience meals that Japanese people eat daily, such as thinly sliced yakiniku, sushi, tempura, and yakitori, so you can enjoy feeling like a local.
There are specialized restaurants for each dish, so it should be an enjoyable food tour visiting multiple eateries.
Meeting point:
Inside the JR Ueno Station building (outside the JR Central Gate), in front of the huge area map near Hard Rock Cafe
Start time: 16:00
Duration: 4 hours
"Private Tours" that arrange tours according to your preferences are also recommended!
If you have many places you want to visit and things you want to do but are struggling with planning, private tours are recommended. Local guides will guide you to efficiently visit many spots according to your requests.
With a private tour, you can efficiently see many major tourist spots or spend time enjoying spots that match your preferences.
Tokyo Private Guided Customized Tour with a Casual Guide
Source: Tripadvisor
This personal tour is recommended for first-time visitors to Tokyo. You'll walk around Tokyo's main tourist spots. You can also experience how to use Japanese public transportation such as subways and buses efficiently.
Starting from Shibuya, this tour allows you to efficiently cover standard tourist spots like the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Yoyogi Park, and Takeshita Street in Harajuku. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will prepare a plan to fulfill your wishes.
You can visit many places in one day, including Ueno Park, Ameyoko, Akihabara, Tsukiji Market, and Odaiba.
You can easily request places you want to visit and ask questions about the spots you visit. It's a recommended tour where you can realize everything you want to do in Japan, such as going to restaurants where locals go or trying karaoke.
Meeting point:
Multiple pickup locations offered.
Start time: 9:00 10:00
Duration: 2-4 hours
Tokyo Private Local Walking Tour: Best Places & Hidden Gems
Source: Tripadvisor
This is a personal walking tour where you can freely choose the time and spots to visit. The tour fee includes admission fees to temples and shrines, so it's especially recommended for those interested in shrines and temples.
You can visit Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and Meiji Jingu, which is like an oasis of greenery in the middle of the city. It's also attractive that you can experience major tourist spots like Shibuya and Harajuku, as well as drinking districts loved by locals like Ameyoko and Omoide Yokocho in one day.
At the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, you can also view beautiful gardens in a calm atmosphere, a bit away from Tokyo's typical bustling atmosphere.
This is the perfect private tour tailored to your preferences and interests. Tokyo is so full of attractions that it can be confusing to determine the best route. With this tour, you can enjoy all the places you want to visit without missing anything.
Meeting point:
Multiple pickup locations offered.
Start time: 9:00 11:00 14:00
Duration: 4-8 hours
For those who want to enjoy Japanese culture in Asakusa, "Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour" is also recommended!
This is a tour where you can learn about Japanese culture, and enjoy top-quality matcha and monjayaki in the Asakusa area, which retains the atmosphere of old Tokyo.
The tour starts with a visit to Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. You can learn about how to worship and cultural customs from the accompanying local guide.
After enjoying the main street in front of Sensoji Temple, which has a 300-year history, you'll enjoy delicious matcha at a calm tea house. The tour concludes with eating monjayaki, a local food of the downtown area.
Meeting point:
In front of Kaminarimon Police Box, Senso-ji
Start time: 11:00
Duration: 3 hours