Ueno Station Guide 2024: Recommended Places for Photo, Shopping etc
Ueno, one of Tokyo's premier tourist destinations, is a district in Taito Ward famous for its zoo, art museums, lush parks, and the vibrant dining district under the elevated tracks. The area's major strength lies in its excellent transport hub, featuring JR Ueno Station with bullet train services and Keisei Ueno Station, making it an ideal base for sightseeing.
The area surrounding Ueno Station is bustling daily with tourists and locals alike, home to famous attractions such as Ueno Zoo, the National Museum, and Ameyoko shopping street. The station area is particularly renowned for its large commercial facilities and shopping streets like Ameyoko.
In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to the tourist attractions, access information, and highlights around the convenient Ueno Station area.
Ueno Station: A Major Hub Serving 11 Railway Lines Including Bullet Trains
Ueno Station, one of Tokyo's major railway stations, serves as a crucial transport hub with 11 lines including bullet trains. Besides JR lines and subways, it also houses Keisei Ueno Station, which provides access to Narita Airport via Keisei Electric Railway.
Ueno is home to numerous tourist attractions including Ueno Zoo, the National Museum, Ameyoko, and Ueno Toshogu Shrine, making it an essential area to visit when in Tokyo.
JR Ueno Station
JR Ueno Station is one of Tokyo's major railway terminals. Historically known as Tokyo's "Northern Gateway," it earned this name for being the main departure point for trains heading north, including the Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai and Aomori, and the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata.
Beyond bullet trains, the station offers excellent access to Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station (terminals for the Tokaido Shinkansen) via the Yamanote Line and Ueno-Tokyo Line. It also connects to the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya lines, providing convenient transport to areas like Asakusa, Ginza, and Tsukiji.
The station features shopping complexes like atre Ueno and Ecute Ueno, perfect for shopping while waiting for trains.
Keisei Ueno Station
Source: Official website
Keisei Ueno Station is the starting point of the Keisei Line, which connects to Narita Airport, Tokyo's main international gateway. Located a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station's Shinobazu Exit, the platforms are situated beneath Ueno Park. The station features currency exchange services and luggage storage counters, with multi-lingual staff available.
The station is the terminal for the Skyliner, which connects Tokyo to Narita Airport in just 36 minutes. The Skyliner operates every 20 minutes during daytime hours, making it an incredibly convenient transport option to reach Narita Airport.
The station also offers excellent shopping facilities, including souvenir shops, convenience stores, pharmacies, and cafes. There's also a tourist information center where visitors can gather information before starting their sightseeing adventures.
There Are Many Commercial Facilities Directly Connected to Ueno Station
atre Ueno (JR Ueno Station)
Source: Official website
atre Ueno is a shopping mall directly connected to JR Ueno station, providing excellent transport access for visitors. The mall spans the first basement floor and second floor of Ueno station, featuring a wide variety of shops including fashion boutiques, general goods stores, and restaurants. With its comprehensive selection of stores, it's highly recommended for shopping and dining during your Ueno sightseeing breaks.
atre Ueno boasts a rich selection of fashionable stores for both men and women, offering everything from casual to formal wear. For added convenience, you'll find fast fashion retailers like UNIQLO and GU, ensuring you're covered if you suddenly need clothes during your trip.
Address: 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-5826-5811
Official Website: https://www.atre.co.jp/ueno/
Ecute (JR Ueno Station)
Source: PR TIMES
Ecute is a commercial facility directly connected to JR Ueno station, located on the first and third floors inside the ticket gates and on the second floor outside the Park Exit gate. Most shops are situated on the third floor inside the ticket gates, making it an ideal spot for travelers to make the most of their transfer time with its variety of restaurants and shops.
Like atre Ueno, it features numerous fashion stores, with a special focus on Ueno Zoo panda-themed merchandise. You'll find adorable designs like panda-colored socks, underwear, and hand towels, making perfect souvenirs.
The facility generally offers affordable pricing across its shops, making it easy to enjoy a casual shopping experience.
Address: 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 7:00-22:00 (varies by store)
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-5826-5600
Official Website: https://www.ecute.jp/ueno
JR Ueno Station Building Is Famous as a Perfect Photo Spot When Lit Up at Night
Source: Panasonic
The Park Exit of JR Ueno station is famous as a perfect photo spot with its year-round nighttime illumination. The station building, which was renovated in spring 2020, features lighting that expresses light and wind blowing through a forest.
The lighting is carefully adjusted to maintain appropriate brightness, with warm incandescent lights used in winter and cool white lights in summer to match the seasons. The station plaza is known for its beautiful ginkgo trees, which are particularly stunning when illuminated during the autumn foliage season.
5 Must-Visit Tourist Spots Around Ueno Station
Ameyoko
Ameyoko, commonly known as Ameya Yokocho, is a 500-meter-long shopping street that runs alongside the railway tracks between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station. With approximately 400 shops gathered under the JR railway viaduct, this shopping spot attracts tourists from around the world for its abundant food ingredients and clothing. The transport access from Ueno station makes it extremely convenient for visitors.
The area features numerous restaurants, with many lively izakayas (Japanese pubs) under the railway tracks. A unique characteristic is the abundance of standing bars where customers enjoy drinks while standing rather than sitting, offering reasonable prices for casual drinking.
Daitoryo
Source: Tabelog
Daitoryo, located near Ueno station, specializes in "motsuyaki" - grilled organ meats from beef, pork, and chicken served on skewers. Famous for its delicious beer and motsuyaki combination, it opens from 10 AM, allowing visitors to enjoy beer from early hours.
Motsuyaki skewers cost just 90 yen each and are grilled to order, ensuring you get hot, chewy delicacies. Their signature horse organ meat stew, unchanged since the restaurant's founding, is also recommended. Both dishes pair perfectly with beer, making it ideal for those wanting to experience a genuine Japanese izakaya.
The atmosphere is fantastic, naturally encouraging conversation with nearby strangers. It's a must-visit spot for those wanting to communicate with Japanese people over drinks.
Address: 6-10-14 Taito, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00-24:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3834-2655
Standing Bar Kadokura
Source: Official website
Standing Bar Kadokura is a charming standing-style izakaya near Ueno station. With excellent access just a short walk from the station, it offers a variety of dishes and drinks.
As part of a yakiniku restaurant group, they excel in meat dishes, offering affordable and delicious options like stewed beef tendon and breaded ham cutlets. English menus are available, making it easy for foreign tourists to order.
The establishment provides free Wi-Fi and accepts credit card payments. Due to heavy crowds on weekends, it's recommended to make reservations through their website in advance.
Address: Forum Aji Building 1F, 6-13-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Weekdays 11:00-22:00, Fridays/Saturdays/Holidays 11:00-23:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3832-5335
Official Website: https://taishoen.co.jp/kadokura/
Coffee Oujyou
Source: Tabelog
Coffee Oujyou is a "jun-kissa" (traditional Japanese café) that has been operating in Ueno for nearly 50 years. Jun-kissa is a unique Japanese café concept that doesn't serve alcohol, focusing purely on coffee enjoyment.
The interior features luxurious chandeliers and comfortable seating, allowing guests to savor their coffee in an elegant atmosphere. They also offer hearty meal options, making it perfect for lunch or dinner.
Their recommended dish is the chocolate parfait, a generous dessert featuring abundant whipped cream and two scoops of vanilla ice cream. If you're looking to enjoy a satisfying meal, Coffee Oujyou is definitely worth a visit.
Address: 6-8-15 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 8:00-19:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3832-2863
Usagiya CAFE
Source: Official Website
Usagiya CAFE is operated by "Usagiya," a long-established Japanese confectionery store near Ueno station. This cafe serves delightfully sweet Japanese confections, with their red bean paste (anko) sweets being particularly renowned.
All food and drinks at Usagiya CAFE are prepared using Hawaiian soft water, which enhances both the texture and flavor of their offerings. Their signature dish is oshiruko (sweet red bean soup), made by slowly simmering azuki beans. This sweet bean paste is also featured in their shaved ice and French toast.
Another must-try item is their pancakes, which are only available to customers who line up before 9 AM. As this is a limited menu item, be sure to wake up early if you want to taste these exceptional pancakes.
Address: 1F, 1-17-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-18:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 03-6240-1561
Official website: http://usagiya-cafe.com/
Ueno Onshi Park
Ueno Onshi Park is a vast 53-hectare park adjacent to JR Ueno station, offering excellent transport access to visitors. Known as the "Forest of Ueno," this nature-rich park houses numerous tourist attractions including Ueno Zoo and Shinobazu Pond.
The park is famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, with numerous cherry trees blooming beautifully in spring. It's also home to multiple museums and art galleries, making it a paradise for art enthusiasts.
Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo, located within Ueno Park, is Japan's oldest zoo, established in 1882. The star attraction is the giant panda, which has long been a beloved symbol of the zoo.
Other popular animals include the rare Sumatran tiger, western lowland gorilla, an 80-year-old Galápagos tortoise, and the shoebill stork, known for its statue-like stillness.
The zoo is divided into East and West Gardens. The West Garden faces Shinobazu Pond, offering beautiful views of lotus flowers and leaves. As weekends can get very crowded, it's recommended to purchase date-specific online tickets in advance.
Address: 9-83 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:00
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 03-3828-5171
TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM
Source: Official website
The TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM is a national museum located in Ueno Park. With nearly 150 years of history, it is Japan's largest museum housing over 120,000 artifacts, spread across six exhibition buildings.
The Main Building displays Japanese art pieces, while the Heiseikan Building showcases sculptures, clay figurines, and swords, allowing visitors to learn about Japanese art and archaeology. The museum also features treasures from the World Heritage site Horyu-ji Temple in Nara, as well as Oriental art from Asia and Egypt. The collection is so extensive that it's challenging to see everything in just one day.
With easy transport access via Ueno station, the museum hosts approximately 300 special exhibitions annually in addition to its permanent collection, offering year-round entertainment. For a more relaxed viewing experience, it's recommended to visit on Fridays and Saturdays when the museum stays open until 8:00 PM.
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30-17:00, Fridays and Saturdays 9:30-20:00
Closed: Mondays, New Year's holidays
Phone: 03-3822-1111
Official website: https://www.tnm.jp/
UENO TOSHOGU SHRINE
Source: Official website
Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, is a historic shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who became shogun during the Edo period. Built in 1627, the shrine is affectionately known as the Golden Hall due to its brilliantly gilded main hall.
Beyond the main hall, the shrine's Karamon gate with its golden doors, the see-through moat, lanterns, and torii gates are all designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
Ueno Toshogu is known for bringing good fortune in career advancement, victory, and longevity. This has made it a popular power spot attracting visitors not only from Japan but from overseas as well. With convenient transport access through Ueno station and its location next to Ueno Zoo, it's worth visiting if you're seeking good fortune.
Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: None
Phone: 03-3822-3455
Official website: https://www.uenotoshogu.com/index.html