Ueno

Ueno is one of the cultural centers of Tokyo. 

Since Ueno is located on the Keisei Line and can be easily accessed directly from Narita Airport, is close to Asakusa, and has many hostels in the area Ueno is a very popular area amongst tourists. Not only is Ueno a convenient place for tourists, but it also has many tourist attractions that are worth seeing even if you are not staying in the area.

Ueno is home to Ueno Park, museums including the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Zoo, and Ameyayokocho. Ueno Park is one of the oldest parks in Ueno. During cherry blossom season the scene of not just the cherry blossoms, but also people enjoying hanami (people picnicking under the cherry blossom trees to enjoy the season) is a spectacle that should not be missed. Inside the park are also various art, history, and science museums, and some temples and pagodas. One could easily spend an entire day wondering through the park. Ueno Zoo is a nice way to spend an afternoon, especially if you have an interest in Pandas. Ameyayokocho sprang into life just after WWII. It was originally a Black Market that sold American items and sweets. The name originally comes from ‘Ameya’, which means sweet shops, and ‘yokocho’, which means alley. ‘Ame’ was also an abbreviation for America. Ameyayocho is no longer a Black Market Alley, however the feeling remains very different from anywhere else in Tokyo.