Ueno Zoological Gardens is in Ueno Park, Tokyo, and has been open since 1882, making it Japan’s oldest zoo. Its collection includes giant pandas, red pandas, penguins, Japanese macaques, black bears, cranes, tigers and gorillas. The grounds are divided into East and West Gardens, so allow time to move between them. Along with animal exhibits, you can see a five-storey pagoda dating to 1631. Nearby museums in Ueno Park make it easy to add another stop to your day.
Japan’s first zoo
Ueno Zoological Gardens opened in 1882, during the Meiji period, and was the first zoo established in Japan. It sits within Ueno Park, a large public park in Taito City that is also home to museums and other cultural sites. The zoo’s long history is part of what sets it apart from a newer animal park, while its collection brings together wildlife from Japan and other regions.
The grounds cover a broad area, with exhibits arranged across East and West Gardens. Give yourself time to explore both; the walk between them is a practical part of planning your route. The zoo is close to Ueno Station, and Ueno Park’s museums offer options for extending the day nearby.
Animals and the garden layout
Giant pandas are among the zoo’s best-known residents. Panda Forest in the West Garden is designed for pandas and other animals associated with the highlands of southwestern China, including red pandas and pheasants. The zoo also has animals such as tigers, gorillas, elephants, polar bears, penguins and hippopotamuses, alongside wildlife native to Japan.
The East Garden includes exhibits focused on Japanese animals, including species such as macaques, black bears and cranes. In the West Garden, look for rhinos, zebras and hippopotamuses. A vivarium adds fish, reptiles and amphibians to the collection. The number of species cited for the zoo varies across available material, so it is better to plan around the animals and areas you most want to see than a headline count.
A historic building inside the zoo
The zoo grounds also contain a five-storey pagoda dating from 1631. It offers a glimpse of the site’s older built history alongside the animal exhibits. Ueno Park’s museums are close by, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science.
If you are visiting with children, the zoo has a children’s area described as a petting zoo. The park’s scale and the distance between its two main gardens can make a visit more active than a quick stop, so leave enough time for the exhibits you want to see.
Planning around animal viewing
Some animals withdraw from public viewing around 4 to 5pm, so an early start gives you more time to see the exhibits before the day ends. Weekday mornings can also help you avoid some school groups. If a particular animal is your priority, check the zoo’s current information before setting out, since routines and access can differ by exhibit.
The zoo is closed on Mondays. Its official website has current visitor information and is the best place to check details before your visit.
Häufige Fragen
Where is Ueno Zoological Gardens?
The zoo is inside Ueno Park in Taito City, Tokyo, at 9-83 Uenokoen.
What animals can you see at Ueno Zoo?
The collection includes giant pandas, red pandas, penguins, tigers, gorillas and Japanese wildlife such as macaques, black bears and cranes.
How long should you spend at Ueno Zoo?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours, including time to move between the East and West Gardens.
Is Ueno Zoo closed on Mondays?
Yes. The zoo is closed on Mondays.
