Touring Uneo with Kids

Like many train stations in Tokyo, the JR Ueno train station is so large, busy and lively that you could spend three hours roaming around shopping and eating at the restaurants inside the mall--called Atre--that straddles the station. But there's much to see in Ueno, and this is only the beginning. I'd strongly recommend getting a bowl of curry udon inside Atre at Konaya Curry Udon. For any serious fan of noodles, this is not to be missed.
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7-1-1, Atre 2F
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Hours
Daily 11am-10:30pm.
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After filling up on noodles, you'll be ready for the walk ahead.

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's largest public parks. Because of the numerous sightseeing hot spots within, it's a popular destination for foreign tourists and Japanese people alike. Ueno Park is home to the Ueno Zoo, numerous museums and shrines, and is one of the best places to view cherry blossoms when they are in bloom. But really, at any time of the year you can enjoy a stroll around the park and relax among the greenery and trees.

Ueno Park used to be the site of Kaneji Temple, which was associated with the Tokugawa shoguns, who built the temple to protect the Edo Castle. It's said the park was built in the northeast because at the time of its construction this was considered an unlucky direction.

The official name of the park is Ueno Onshi Kōen (上野恩賜公園). It was established in 1924 with a grant from the Emperor Taisho. Most people refer to it as "Ueno Koen." Admission to the park is free, with separate admission for the zoo and the various museums.

While there are many museums in Ueno Park, if you have time for just one, the Tokyo National Museum is a good choice. Founded in 1872 and settled in Ueno Park in 1882, TNM was Japan's first museum. With 110,000 pieces in its collection, it houses artifacts from Japanese history from the Jomon period to the 20th century, as well as artifacts from other areas in Asia. Art objects, architectural objects and historical documents are its focus.

Some information is displayed in English.
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Admission
Adults 600 yen
Students 400 yen
18 and younger; 70 and older Free
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Hours
July-December
Daily 9:30am-5pm
Fridays until 8pm during special exhibitions
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
May-September
Open until 6pm Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays

A five-minute walk from JR Ueno station park exit, the Ueno Zoo covers 35 acres and is the oldest zoo in Japan.
Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! The zoo houses these and much more, with more than 2,600 animals representing more than 400 species.

One of the more popular exhibits features the giant panda bears, which came to the zoo from China in 1972 during a time of improving relations between China and Japan. One of the most popular bears, Ling Ling, died in 2008, but in 2011 two new bears were brought in.

The zoo features a monorail that connects the eastern and western sides of the grounds. Take the kids to the petting zoo located in the west lower area and check out the tapis from the San Diego Wild Animal Park and aye-ayes from Tsimbazaza Zoo (Madagascar), both rare species.
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Admission
Adults (16-64) 600 yen
Seniors (65+) 300 yen
Students (13-15) 200 yen
Children (0-12) Free
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Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5pm
Closed Monday (Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday)
*The Vivarium and the Small Mammal House close at 4:15pm
*The zoo closes from Dec. 29 through Jan. 1.

Get lost in the many alleyways and tiny streets of the Ameyoko outdoor shopping arcade, which stretches beneath the Yamanote railway line between Ueno and Okachimachi stations. Clothes, produce, food vendors and random finds abound.

What makes this arcade unique from other Tokyo shopping districts is its slightly downmarket, down-to-earth feel. The area is known for its history as a black market trading space and a place to find American goods after World War II. While relatively safe to explore, do keep in mind that it gets crowded and is not for the claustrophobic. Expect to barter and hear vendors shouting out rock-bottom prices at you while you shimmy through the many alleys crammed with shops. If you feel game, say, "Makete kudasai!" (Discount, please!) and see if they lower the price.

Exotic produce and food items from Southeast Asia and other parts of the world bring a more international crowd than other parts of Tokyo. Ameyoko is great spot for souvenir hunting and people watching. If you're hungry, there are many cheap places to sit down for a bowl of sashimi or noodles.

Ameyoko is sometimes referred to as "Ameyokocho" or "Ameyayokocho."