Ueno: a district and a park with a thousand facets

  • Published on : 26/02/2020
  • by : J.L.T.B. / I.D.O.

A must-see in Tokyo, stroll through Ueno

Walks in the fresh air or visiting museums: you can spend more than a day discovering the magnificent park and the popular Ueno district, which is home to one of the largest markets in the capital.

Discover Ueno and its history

The Ueno district is rich in history. In 1868, it was a place of resistance for the last samurai, some two thousand followers of the Tokugawa shogun, who were fighting against the imperial troops. History reveals the Tokugawa supporters were on the wrong side of history and the era of Emperor Meiji (1868 - 1912) dawned, a period known as the Meiji Restoration.

In 1883, the Ueno station opened the doors of the capital to northern Japan and for a long time remained the busiest station in the country. Stalls and restaurants multiplying, the district growing in population. It is from Ueno station that the people of the northern regions begin to arrive, mostly commoners seeking work. The movement of an exodus is strongly accentuated after the war, making Ueno a popular and commercial hub.

Along with the development, a cultural district appears. Around the station, workers and day laborers settled, while artists and intellectuals took up residence around Ueno Park. The Ueno district became the cultural center of the capital with the creation of museums and universities, including the prestigious Tokyo School of Fine Arts.

Ueno Map
Ueno Guide
Ueno Guide

Flickr tanakawho

Ueno Guide
Ueno Guide
Ueno Guide

It is now world-famous for the cherry blossoms which attract thousands of visitors from all over the world each spring. Food and drink stand, cultural events, picnics with family, friends, or colleagues: the park is a place of celebration, sheltered by the pale pink petals of the famous Japanese cherry trees.

In summer, its famous Shinobazu pond is covered with pink and white lotuses while autumn sees the thousands of trees blushing or turning yellow.

The park is also very popular for its Ueno Zoo, the oldest in Japan and the only one in Japan that is home to pandas, the stars of the place!

Lotus au Lac Shinobazu, Ueno, Tokyo

Lotus au Lac Shinobazu, Ueno

Yoshikazu TAKADA

Panda, symbol of Ueno zoo.

The panda, symbol of Ueno Zoo.

DR

puits-shushiki-sakura

The well near the Shushiki cherry tree is still visible

https://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/

pin-circulaire

The moon pine in front of the Kyomizu kanon-do

S.V.

Le parc d'Ueno au printemps

Le parc d'Ueno au printemps

dozodomo

Parties and festivals in Ueno

In addition to the various cultural events organized from time to time by the various museums, the district is particularly lively on the following dates:

  • Gojoten Jinja Reitaisai: Every year on May 25, the Gojoten Shrine Festival takes place in Ueno Park. Larger events are held every three years when a portable temple (omikoshi) is paraded through the streets by tengu, the long-nosed demons.

  • Ueno Natsu Matsuri: from mid-July to the beginning of August, a whole series of events animate Ueno during the Ueno Natsu Matsuri festival

The opening parade at Ueno Natsu Matsuri lasts on average two and half hours.

The opening parade at Ueno Natsu Matsuri lasts on average two and half hours.

Ueno

innsyoutei

Innsyoutei Restaurant

http://www.innsyoutei.jp/

Balade dans les ruelles d'Ameya Yokocho près de la gare d'Ueno

Balade dans les ruelles d'Ameya Yokocho près de la gare d'Ueno

Takayuki Miki (三木貴幸)

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