Ueno with Family: Ueno Zoological Gardens and the National Museum of Nature and Science

History and Local Charm

In Ueno Park, a zoo and a museum with long histories are located within walking distance of each other. Ueno Zoological Gardens, opened in 1882 (Meiji 15), is Japan's first zoo. The National Museum of Nature and Science, founded in 1877 (Meiji 10), is one of Japan's most historic museums.

At the zoo, you can see animals living today. At the National Museum of Nature and Science, the theme of the Earth Pavilion (Global Gallery) is "History of Life on Earth and Human Beings," while the theme of the Japan Pavilion (Japan Gallery) is "Nature of the Japanese Islands and Ourselves." This is a walking course for families where you can compare the present and past of living creatures in a single day.

Major Highlights

• ​Ueno Zoological Gardens​​: Houses about 3,000 animals across approximately 250 species. The grounds are divided into the hilly East Garden and the West Garden on the north side of Shinobazu Pond. In the East Garden's "Forest of Elephants," you can observe Asian elephants drinking water and bathing up close through glass. In the "Gorilla and Tiger Forest," you can watch young Western lowland gorillas grow within their troop. The West Garden features African animals such as giraffes and hippopotamuses, as well as the "Aye-aye Forest."
• ​National Museum of Nature and Science​​: Permanent exhibits are held in two buildings: the Japan Pavilion and the Earth Pavilion. In the Earth Pavilion's B1 floor, titled "Exploring the Mysteries of Dinosaurs," there is a full-body skeleton replica of a Tyrannosaurus and "Raymond," a real Triceratops fossil. In the Japan Pavilion, a full-body restored skeleton of the plesiosaur Futabasaurus suzukii on the 3rd floor and a taxidermy mount of Faithful Dog Hachiko on the 2nd floor are popular across generations. Outdoors, there is a 30-meter-long model of a blue whale and a D51 class steam locomotive.

Recommended Route and Time Required

The estimated time required is about 6 hours, taking a full day for both locations. Begin at Ueno Zoological Gardens, a 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station. The main entrance is on the East Garden side. After viewing the East Garden, cross the Isoppu Bridge to the West Garden. An electric bus, giving priority to visitors with difficulty walking, also connects the East Garden and West Garden.

After visiting the West Garden, return to the East Garden and exit through the main entrance. The National Museum of Nature and Science is about 470 meters east of the East Garden. As the exhibition galleries are quite spacious, the museum's recommended courses are helpful. The Earth Pavilion highlight course takes 90 minutes, and the Japan Pavilion recommended course takes 60 minutes. If your main interest is dinosaurs, starting with the Earth Pavilion is recommended. On the way back, it is a 5-minute walk to the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station.

Experience Summary

After observing living animals at Japan's first zoo, look up at dinosaur skeletons and the skeleton of the plesiosaur whose fossil was discovered by a high school student at the National Museum of Nature and Science. It is a day for the whole family to trace the present and past of living creatures together.