Ueno Zoo which opened in 1882, is the oldest zoo in Japan. Despite being located in the heart of Tokyo, it retains a rich natural environment where you can see a wide variety of animals in addition to giant pandas, making it a much-loved attraction.
While experiencing the charm of the animals, this is also a place to learn about ecosystems and culture, with many highlights that both adults and children can fully enjoy.
This article will primarily introduce the must-see points in each area of Ueno Zoo, and will also include essential information to ensure that even first-time visitors can fully enjoy their experience. Please be sure to read to the end.
Table of Contents
- What Kind of Place is Ueno Zoo?
- How to Get to Ueno Zoo
- Ueno Zoo’s Opening Hours and Admission Fees
- How to Purchase Ueno Zoo Tickets
- Recommended Seasons to Visit Ueno Zoo
- When are the Crowded Seasons at Ueno Zoo?
- Main Highlights of Each Area in Ueno Zoo
- Must-See Animals! Top 5 Highlights of the East Garden Area
- See Giant Pandas and Other Precious Animals! Top 5 Highlights of the West Garden Area
- More Than Just Animals! Top 3 Sightseeing Spots Within Ueno Zoo
- From Light Meals to Cute Desserts! Dining Options Inside Ueno Zoo
- Souvenirs You Can Only Buy Here! Gift Shops Inside Ueno Zoo
- Facilities and Services for Enjoying Your Visit with Babies and Young Children
- Top 3 Recommended Spots Near Ueno Zoo
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ueno Zoo
- Conclusion
What Kind of Place is Ueno Zoo?
Ueno Zoo is located within Ueno Onshi Park in Taito Ward, Tokyo.
It’s the most visited zoo in all of Japan, a popular sightseeing spot where you can see approximately 300 species and 3,000 unique animals from around the world.
The spacious, green grounds are divided into the East Garden and the West Garden, each showcasing different animal stars and rare creatures, all kept in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats.
When introducing Ueno Zoo, the giant panda, a symbol of the zoo, is absolutely unmissable.
In commemoration of the normalization of relations between Japan and China in 1972, giant pandas came to Ueno Zoo, sparking an unprecedented panda craze, with their popularity even becoming a social phenomenon.
At the same time, in addition to animals that can only be seen at Ueno Zoo, such as the Alaotra gentle lemur and the aye-aye, there are also many historical buildings preserved throughout the park, offering a rich variety of things to see.
How to Get to Ueno Zoo
“Ueno Zoo” has three entrances: the Main Gate, the Benten Gate, and the Ikenohata Gate, all of which are just a few minutes’ walk from the nearest stations.
The best entrance to use will differ depending on the animals you want to see or your planned route through the zoo, so we recommend referring to the information below to decide which entrance to enter from.
Also, the Main Gate, which is almost a direct walk from the station ticket gates, is the most crowded.
Ueno Zoo’s Opening Hours and Admission Fees
Ueno Zoo’s opening hours and ticket information are as follows:
Opening Hours 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM)
Closing Days Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday), December 29th to January 1st *Subject to change
Admission Fees
Adults: 600 yen Seniors (65 and over): 300 yen Junior High School Students: 200 yen (Free for residents or students in Tokyo) Elementary School Students and Younger: Free Free Admission Days: March 20th, May 4th, October 1st Free admission for junior high school students and younger on May 5th. Free admission for seniors (65 and over) plus one accompanying person from September 15th to 21st.
How to Purchase Ueno Zoo Tickets
You can enter Ueno Zoo by purchasing tickets at the ticket windows of each entrance.
In addition to cash, some credit cards and electronic payments are accepted.
No reservation is required for window purchases, and only same-day tickets are sold. However, you may need to queue during crowded times.
For smoother admission, you may want to consider purchasing online tickets for a specific date in advance.
On the ticketing website, enter your desired visit date (you can purchase tickets up to 30 days in advance), ticket type, and required information. After completing the payment process, you will receive a ticket with a QR code.
Then, simply save the ticket on your smartphone and present it to the staff upon entry.
Recommended Seasons to Visit Ueno Zoo
The most recommended season to visit Ueno Zoo is spring.
During spring, the temperatures are stable and comfortable, and you can see the animals lively and active outdoors.
Spring is also the peak season for new animal births, so the adorable newborn offspring are a major highlight to see.
At the same time, the 66 cherry trees of 9 varieties planted within the zoo will be in full bloom, creating a beautiful spectacle of vibrant cherry blossoms that complements the animals, making it well worth seeing.
Ueno Park is also a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, so you can enjoy flower viewing along with your visit to the zoo.
When are the Crowded Seasons at Ueno Zoo?
Ueno Zoo, which is easily accessible and loved by people of all ages, is lively throughout the year.
However, it tends to get particularly crowded during the spring break (mid-March to late April), Golden Week (late April to early May), and the Obon period (mid-August).
Among these times, March 20th and May 4th, which offer free admission, can be considered the busiest days of the entire year.
Furthermore, when Ueno Park hosts events such as autumn foliage viewing or illuminations, the zoo also tends to attract more visitors.
If you happen to be visiting during these periods, it’s recommended to make good use of the official website, which provides real-time updates on crowd conditions.
Main Highlights of Each Area in Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo is divided into two main areas: the East Garden and the West Garden, each with its own distinct animals, characteristics, and appeal.
You can travel between the two areas via the central “Aesop Bridge,” and the areas themselves are quite extensive.
What follows is an introduction to the main areas and highlights of each garden, as well as the animals you can observe. Please use this as a reference during your visit.
To explore Ueno Zoo more efficiently, we recommend consulting the zoo map during your visit.
Must-See Animals! Top 5 Highlights of the East Garden Area
The “East Garden area,” where Ueno Zoo’s main gate is located and which is easily accessible from the station, is a bustling main area with a constant flow of visitors.
A key feature is that you can see some of the zoo’s most popular large carnivores, such as gorillas, tigers, and polar bears.
In addition, it showcases nocturnal animals (owls, bats, etc.), Japanese animals and wild birds (Ezo deer, Japanese squirrels, etc.), and various bear species, all of which are well worth seeing.
Below, we introduce the main areas and highlights within the East Garden.
1. The Elephant Forest
“The Elephant Forest (ゾウのすむ森),” located in the center of the East Garden, is a popular area where you can observe Asian elephants living comfortably in a spacious environment.
The area is divided into several facilities, including an outdoor enclosure and sleeping quarters, with many thoughtful designs that allow the elephants to behave naturally.
Currently, a family of three elephants lives here. If your visit timing is right, you might see the elephants taking sand baths, sleeping, or engaging in their social lives. Experiencing their ecology from various perspectives is part of this area’s charm.
Especially during feeding times or when they are bathing in the pool, the elephants’ impressive actions never fail to excite visitors.
2. Bear Hill
“Bear Hill (クマたちの丘),” located in the center of the East Garden, behind The Elephant Forest, is an area where you can observe several species of bears.
The long and narrow facility recreates a natural living environment and currently exhibits three different types of bears.
The Japanese black bear with its white crescent mark on its chest, the brown bear exuding a regal presence, and the Malayan sun bear, skilled at climbing trees, are all very worthwhile sights. Comparing the differences between the various species is also a great pleasure.
Viewing their hibernation in the winter enclosure is also recommended.
Additionally, the otters displayed in a small space are very cute and popular.
3. The Gorilla and Tiger Forest
Located at the deepest part of the East Garden is “The Gorilla and Tiger Forest (ゴリラ・トラの住む森),” a spacious area designed with a tropical rainforest environment concept.
It primarily exhibits gorillas (western lowland gorillas) and tigers (Sumatran tigers), housed in separate facilities.
In the gorilla enclosure, you can observe the social structure and interactions of gorillas living in groups, the leadership of the alpha male, and the playful antics of the young gorillas.
In the other enclosure, the Sumatran tiger, an endangered species with a continuously decreasing population in the wild, is displayed. Its beautiful striped pattern and sharp gaze are its greatest charms and highlights.
If you’re lucky, you might observe precious scenes close-up, such as them walking by the water or climbing tree trunks with their sharp claws, resembling their behavior in the wild.
4. The Night Forest
Located adjacent to The Gorilla and Tiger Forest is “The Night Forest (夜の森),” an indoor facility where you can observe nocturnal animals.
In 2023, the lighting equipment inside the facility underwent a complete renovation, creating a reversed day-night environment that remains dimly lit even during the daytime.
As soon as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a dreamlike scene illuminated by countless black lights.
The charm of this area lies in observing the movements of animals at night, which are rarely seen and offer a different experience.
In particular, the owls silently flying in the darkness, the civets quickly darting around, and the bats flying all over the place are all very much worth seeing.
Come and experience this mysterious world woven by light and shadow, which is completely different from other areas.
5. The Ocean Home to Polar Bears and Seals
Located on the north side of the East Garden, near the Aesop Bridge, is “The Ocean Home to Polar Bears and Seals (ホッキョクグマとアザラシの海),” an area where you can observe marine and cold-climate creatures.
It features a spacious tank and rocky shores, primarily exhibiting polar bears, harbor seals, and sea lions.
In the polar bear enclosure, you can observe their swift movements in the water and how they swim using their large paws through large glass viewing windows. You can also see them strolling on land.
On the other side, you can see harbor seals gracefully swimming and playing in the water. Their lively movements are very endearing and captivating to watch.
While learning about the adaptations of cold-climate animals, you can fully appreciate their charm.
See Giant Pandas and Other Precious Animals! Top 5 Highlights of the West Garden Area
Nearly half of the “West Garden area” is the area of Shinobazu Pond.
The West Garden’s key features are its exhibits of the zoo’s most popular animal, the giant panda, along with rare animals that are usually hard to see, such as the aye-aye and the shoebill.
In addition to these, there are many other secretly popular animals like hippos and amphibians/reptiles (Japanese giant salamanders, poison dart frogs, etc.).
Each enclosure recreates an environment close to the animals’ natural habitat, and each is full of unique characteristics, providing visitors with an enjoyable experience, which is a major attraction of the West Garden area.
1. The Panda Forest
“The Panda Forest (パンダのもり),” located in the center of the West Garden area, is a giant panda breeding facility that opened in 2020.
It recreates the living environment of Sichuan Province in China, and great care has been taken in the arrangement of trees, rocks, and ponds so that the giant pandas can live in an environment close to nature.
The greatest appeal is that there are both indoor and outdoor enclosures, allowing you to closely observe the pandas’ ecology and activities.
The twin pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei may look alike, but they actually have different temperaments and personalities, making them even more interesting to watch.
Highlights include the pandas munching on bamboo or playing on the structures, their endearing actions being very soothing.
Admission restrictions may be implemented depending on the crowd situation, so please check the official website for information before visiting.
2. The Aye-Aye Forest
Located deep inside the Benten Gate entrance, next to Shinobazu Pond and the Ikenohata Gate, is “The Aye-Aye Forest (アイアイのすむ森),” an area that houses various animals living on the island of Madagascar.
Among them, the rarest is the aye-aye, which can only be seen at Ueno Zoo in Japan.
The facility maintains dim lighting, allowing you to closely observe the nocturnal aye-ayes moving freely as they would in the wild.
Particularly worth seeing are their long fingers tapping on tree trunks and how skillfully they eat their food.
The area also exhibits other rare animals such as ring-tailed lemurs, radiated tortoises, and black-capped squirrel monkeys, offering a chance to learn about Madagascar’s unique ecosystem, which is also a major attraction.
It will surely immerse you in the mysterious world of nocturnal animals.
3. African Animals
“African Animals (アフリカの動物)” is a main area in the West Garden, located near the Ikenohata Gate, showcasing animals from Africa, South Africa, and Australia.
The spacious enclosures recreate a savanna-like atmosphere, allowing visitors to observe the animals moving freely.
You can see large animals like giraffes, rhinoceroses, and hippos, as well as rare animals like shoebills and collared peccaries.
There are many highlights to see, such as giraffes stretching their necks to eat leaves and the beautiful stripes of zebras.
Among these, the okapi and the pygmy hippopotamus are two of the three major rare animals that you absolutely must not miss.
In particular, the okapi, which can only be seen in three places in Japan, is a key attraction due to its unique markings and ecology.
4. The Amphibian and Reptile House
Located to the right of the Ikenohata Gate entrance is “The Amphibian and Reptile House (両生爬虫類館),” where each exhibit recreates a natural environment, allowing visitors to observe the animals in an atmosphere resembling a jungle.
The facility features exhibition spaces that simulate the natural environments of plants and animals, with indoor temperature and humidity adjusted regardless of the season.
Its appeal lies in the close-up observation of turtles, snakes, frogs, and amphibians/reptiles from all over the world.
Highlights include the Galapagos tortoise, weighing over 200kg and roaming freely, and the pygmy crocodile swimming in the water.
You can also see rarely seen Japanese chameleons and brightly colored frogs, providing a great opportunity to learn about the characteristics of animals with unique ecologies.
5. The Children’s Zoo STEP
Located just inside the Ikenohata Gate entrance is “The Children’s Zoo STEP (子ども動物園すてっぷ),” an area where children can learn about caring for animals and the preciousness of life.
In addition to being able to observe domestic animals and poultry like goats, sheep, and chickens up close, there are various programs for learning about the raising and ecology of small animals, deepening understanding of living creatures through entertainment.
The most popular activity is the interactive experience with guinea pigs and rabbits (reservation required), where you can interact directly with the animals by placing them on your lap and gently petting them.
Because it offers a safe and enjoyable opportunity to meet many small animals, it has become the most suitable place for families.
