Ueno Area Morning Guide 2024! Enjoy Tokyo Early Morning
Ueno, located in Taito district of Tokyo, is an area rich in natural and artistic spots, including a vast park, zoo, and museums. Along with Asakusa, it attracts many tourists. With its Shinkansen stop and convenient access to popular tourist areas, it's also a great base for travelers.
The Ueno area is home to historic shrines and traditional coffee shops, exuding a retro and calm atmosphere. Particularly in the morning hours, when there are fewer people, the crisp air enveloping the area is another attractive point. Many coffee shops and cafes open early in the morning, so it's a good idea to enjoy breakfast before setting out for sightseeing.
In this Ueno morning guide, we'll introduce tourist spots and delicious breakfast places that you can enjoy from early morning. Be sure to add these to your travel plans!
Why is morning sightseeing in Ueno recommended?
If you're planning to visit Ueno, the morning hours are definitely recommended. Ueno, which is close to the popular tourist spot Asakusa, gets particularly crowded from noon to afternoon. If you want to enjoy Ueno's unique relaxed atmosphere, it's best to wake up early and head out.
Some museums and art galleries open from 9:00 AM, and it's recommended to immerse yourself in history and art in the quiet morning air. Enjoying a stroll in the nature-rich park, having breakfast at a long-established cafe - savoring the morning hours is one of the true pleasures of travel.
Ueno has good access to various places, so you can enjoy Ueno sightseeing first thing in the morning and then move on to other locations, making effective use of your time!
5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Ueno Area Wrapped in Fresh Morning Air
Ueno Onshi Park
Source: Official website
"Ueno Onshi Park" is Japan's oldest park with over 150 years of history. It's also known as one of Japan's representative cherry blossom viewing spots, and many people visit during the "Ohanami" (cherry blossom viewing) season to enjoy picnics under the cherry blossoms.
The morning hours, when there are fewer people, are perfect for leisurely strolling through the vast, lush grounds. My favorite way to spend time is to take out breakfast from a bakery near the park.
Within the grounds, there are various facilities such as museums, art galleries, and a zoo, as well as historical spots like Ueno Tosho-gu Shrine. There are also boats in the park's pond, and on sunny days, it's recommended to enjoy a boat ride experience.
Address: Ueno Park, Ikenohata 3-chome, Taito-ku
Opening hours: 5:00-23:00
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3828-5644
Official website: https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/toubuk/ueno/index_top.html
Yushima Tenmangu Shrine
Source: Official website
"Yushima Tenmangu Shrine" is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, known as the "God of Learning".
At this shrine, "cows" are treated as messengers of the god, and it's said that if you stroke the two cow statues displayed in the precincts, the bad parts of your body will be healed. Many exam-takers wishing for success stroke the cows' heads, making them particularly shiny. When I was a student, I visited with a friend to pray for exam success and stroked the cow's head, which is a good memory.
During the "Plum Festival" held from February to March, about 300 cute plum blossoms bloom. Don't forget to check out the torii gate base shaped like a plum blossom!
Address: 3-30-1 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku
Opening hours: 6:00-20:00
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3836-0753
Official website: https://www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/index.htm
Sensoji Temple
"Sensoji Temple", close to Ueno, is the oldest temple in Tokyo with about 1400 years of history. Despite suffering damage from wars and disasters, it has been rebuilt many times and has become a spiritual anchor for local people.
The symbol of Sensoji Temple is the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The gods of nature, "Fujin" (Wind God) and "Raijin" (Thunder God), stand on the left and right of the gate, protecting the temple from fire and flood damage.
Around 7:00 AM, just after the gate opens, there are few people and you can worship leisurely. After praying in the crisp air, my recommended course is to walk down Nakamise-dori street. Many shops selling famous local sweets like "Ningyoyaki" and rice crackers gradually open from around 8:00 AM, so it's good to have a light meal as breakfast substitute and then move on to another location!
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku
Opening hours: 6:00-17:00
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3842-0181
Official website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/
Sumida River
The "Sumida River" is a 23.5km long river representative of Tokyo. The area around the Sumida River, where you can enjoy nature in all four seasons, is perfect for a leisurely walk in the crisp morning air.
If you leave from Ueno Park and walk along the Sumida River, you'll see the townscape of Tokyo full of downtown atmosphere. In the morning hours when there are few people around, it's also recommended to take photos at a leisurely pace. If you get tired of walking, take a break at a stylish cafe along the river. Many shops have terrace seats, and you can spend a pleasant time overlooking the river.
I used to work nearby, so in spring I enjoyed cherry blossom viewing with my colleagues. Please visit during the cherry blossom season too!
website:https://visit-sumida.jp/spot/6133/
Address (Sumida Park): Mukojima 1,2,5, Sumida-ku
Ameyoko
"Ameyoko", synonymous with Ueno, is a popular shopping street in Tokyo with about 400 shops selling food, general goods, and cosmetics. The sight of it bustling with New Year's shopping in December has become a year-end tradition in Japan.
One of the charms of Ameyoko is that you can experience a multinational atmosphere from the morning, with Korean toast specialty stores, kebab shops, and 24-hour izakayas. It's also fun to choose souvenirs like the famous candy auctions and Japanese-made cosmetics!
Many shops open around 10:00 AM, so when I visit Ameyoko, I enjoy the Sumida River area in the morning in this order: breakfast → shopping → lunch drinking.
Don't forget to enjoy interactions with friendly shopkeepers in Ameyoko!
Address (Ameyoko Shopping Street Union): Ameyoko Plaza, 6-10-7 Ueno, Taito-ku
Business hours: Varies by shop
Closed: Varies by shop
Phone: 03-3832-5053
Official website: https://www.ameyoko.net/
Convenient for sightseeing too! 5 recommended morning cafes in Ueno
Usagiya CAFE
Source: Official website
"Usagiya CAFE" is run by "Usagiya", a long-established Japanese confectionery store in Ueno. Desserts using Usagiya's famous dorayaki and other menu items unique to a Japanese confectionery store are popular.
What I really want you to eat if you wake up early is the breakfast-only signature menu item "Usa Pancake". You eat the moist pancakes with moderate sweetness, accompanied by anko (sweet red bean paste) and butter. The anko, made with carefully selected red beans, is exquisite as expected from a long-established Japanese confectionery store.
When I visited right after opening, I was able to get a seat immediately, but it sold out in no time after that. If you're interested, I recommend going as soon as it opens!
Address: 1F, 1-17-5 Ueno, Taito-ku
Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: Wednesday
Phone: 03-6240-1561
Official website: http://usagiya-cafe.com/
EVERYONEs CAFE
Source: Official Facebook
"EVERYONEs CAFE" is a stylish cafe inside Ueno Park. The large windows and terrace seats offer a great sense of openness, and it's nice to be able to relax while feeling nature!
They use many ingredients produced in Tokyo, and it's attractive that you can always taste fresh vegetables and eggs. There's also a good selection of vegan menu items.
My favorite breakfast menu item is the "EOC Breakfast Plate". It's perfect for replenishing energy before sightseeing as it's well-balanced nutritionally with vegetables, eggs, and meat, and is very filling! The baguette with plenty of avocado paste is colorful and delicious enough to make you want to eat it again.
Address: 8-4 Ueno Park, Taito-ku
Business hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00 / Sat-Sun 9:00-21:00
Closed: None
Phone: 03-5815-8251
Official website: https://shop.create-restaurants.co.jp/0941/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everyonescafe_ueno/
Cafe Lapin
Source: Tripadvisor
"Cafe Lapin", just a short walk from JR Okachimachi station, is a cafe proud of its coffee, which is roasted in-house using carefully selected beans. The coffee, with its perfect balance of bitterness and richness, is perfect for your first cup of the day.
Inside the cafe, which opens from 7:00 AM, you can enjoy a classic Japanese coffee shop breakfast of toast, eggs, salad, and yogurt.
For dessert, I recommend the shop's signature menu item "Custard Pudding". The moderately firm texture and rich custard flavor reminiscent of old times made me feel the "nostalgia of Japanese homes" as if my mother had made it. Please give it a try!
Address: 3-15-7 Ueno, Taito-ku
Business hours: 7:00-18:00
Closed: Sundays and holidays
Phone: 03-3832-7605
Official website: https://www.instagram.com/ohori_cafelapin/
Coffee O-jo
Source: Tabelog
"Coffee O-jo" is a long-established coffee shop founded in 1975. The interior with rows of relaxing sofa seats has a classic atmosphere where you can spend a relaxed morning.
In the morning, popular items include standard menu items that have been loved for many years, such as toast and ham sandwiches. The thick-cut toast set that I order every time lives up to its name "thick-cut", allowing you to enjoy toast about 5cm thick. My favorite is to pair the moist toast infused with rich butter with iced coffee.
I really want you to try the purple "O-jo Soda". It's a popular menu item, but actually, I haven't tried it myself yet. Please check out its taste for yourself!
Address: 6-8-15 Ueno, Taito-ku
Business hours: 8:00-19:00 (L.O. food 18:00, drinks 18:30)
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 03-3832-2863
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeeoujyou/
Ko-jou
Source: Tabelog
"Ko-jou" is a hidden coffee shop located in the basement of a building. The retro atmosphere emanating from the signboard and entrance will make you feel like you're about to time travel.
When you enter the store, you'll see gorgeous chandeliers and stained glass, revealing an extraordinary space. It's rare these days, but smoking is allowed in all seats, making it popular among tobacco lovers.
In the morning hours, you can enjoy authentic menu items such as toast, eggs, ham, and coffee. Given its location just a 2-minute walk from Ueno Station, it's also recommended to have breakfast here before moving on to other places.
Address: B1F Light Building, 3-39-10 Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku
Business hours: 9:00-20:00
Closed: Sundays and holidays
Phone: 03-3832-5675
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kojyo_kyoko/
Tours with local guides are also recommended to enjoy the Ueno area from the morning
Tokyo Private Guided Customized Tour with a Casual Guide
Source:Tripadvisor
For those visiting Tokyo for the first time, this tour that can be customized to your preferences is recommended. You can choose from 2-hour, 4-hour, or 6-hour courses, making it easy to combine with other itineraries.
You can fully enjoy multiple Tokyo tourist spots, such as taking photos at Shibuya's scramble crossing, then visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, eating your way through Harajuku, and then heading to Asakusa.
An English-speaking guide will efficiently guide you, allowing you to make better use of your time compared to sightseeing on your own! It's also convenient that the meeting place for the tour can be decided according to your request, making it easy to align with your accommodation or immediate plans.
<information>
Meeting point: Varies depending on the course
Tour areas (examples): Shibuya - Yoyogi Park - Meiji Jingu - Takeshita Street - Shinjuku Gyoen - Sensoji Temple - Ameyoko - Ueno Park - Akihabara - Tsukiji
Start time: 9:00am / 10:00am
Click here for more details
From Asakusa: Old Tokyo, Temples, Gardens and Pop Culture
Source: Tripadvisor
How about this tour for those who want to fully enjoy various aspects of Japanese culture?
After meeting in front of a long-established bar in Asakusa, you'll first visit Sensoji Temple. The English-speaking guide will teach you the procedures and etiquette for visiting the temple, so even first-timers can feel at ease.
At Ameyoko shopping street in Ueno, you can look for souvenirs unique to Japan, such as sweets and cosmetics. In Akihabara, popular among young people, you can experience modern Japanese pop culture such as anime and idols. At the end of the tour, enjoy the beauty of nature and Japanese gardens at Koishikawa Korakuen.
Enjoy both old and new Japanese culture, which can be difficult to experience on your own, with a friendly guide!
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Meeting point: In front of Kamiya Bar, Asakusa
Tour areas: Asakusa - Sensoji Temple - Ueno - Akihabara - Koishikawa Korakuen
Start time: 8:30am / 1:30pm
Click here for more details
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
This tour is recommended for those who want to fully enjoy Asakusa. You can experience the real Asakusa that only a Japanese guide can show you.
While of course visiting popular tourist spots like Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street, the charm of this tour is that you can enjoy Asakusa sightseeing that isn't in guidebooks. The English-speaking guide will explain in detail the temple traditions and Japanese culture that are difficult to understand just by looking.
Another attraction of the tour is that you can experience Japanese food culture. You can not only taste but also enjoy experiences such as making matcha at a tea shop and cooking and eating monjayaki at a local recommended shop.
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Meeting point: Kaminarimon, Asakusa
Tour area: Asakusa
Start time: 11:00am
Click here for more details