Zoo · Tokyo & Around

Ueno Zoological Gardens

Tokyo / UenoMostly outdoors
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Overview

Overview

Japan's oldest zoo, located inside Ueno Park. With affordable admission, it's a central Tokyo zoo that's easy to combine with Ueno's art galleries and museums.

Address
9-83 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8711
Closed
Mondays (if a public holiday, substitute holiday, or Tokyo Citizens' Day, closed the following day), and over New Year (Dec 29–Jan 1)
Time needed
2–3 hours. Half a day to see everything properly
Highlights

Highlights

Shoebills, western lowland gorillas, Asian elephants, and tigers are among the favorites. The giant pandas were returned to China in January 2026 and can no longer be seen. The new "Hashibiro Cart" now runs around the grounds.

Hours

Opening hours

Opening hours9:30–17:00

Entry and ticket sales until 16:00

Autumn Night Zoo9:30–20:00

Oct 9–12, 2026 only

Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.

Tickets

Prices & tickets

General¥600

Group (20+) ¥480

Age 65+¥300

Group ¥240

Junior high school student¥200

Free for junior high students living or attending school in Tokyo

Elementary school age and underFree
Disability certificate holders and one companionFree

Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.

🎫 How to buy tickets
  • →No advance reservation needed. Tickets are sold on the day until 16:00
  • →Admission is free on Mar 20 (Zoo Anniversary), May 4 (Greenery Day), and Oct 1 (Tokyo Citizens' Day). Junior high students get in free on Children's Day
  • →From Sep 15 to 21, visitors aged 60+ and one companion get in free
  • →From Aug 31, 2026 to January 2027, some animal exhibits are suspended or changed due to construction
Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Admission is cheap and it's easy to combine with Ueno's art galleries and museums
  • ✓Note that it's closed on Mondays (the following day if Monday is a holiday)
  • ✓The giant pandas were returned in January 2026 and can no longer be seen
  • ✓Mornings are recommended, when the animals are more active. Ticket sales end at 16:00
  • ✓Construction-related exhibit suspensions and access restrictions are ongoing, so check the official notices before visiting
Access

Getting there

Nearest station
  • Ueno Station (JR, Tokyo Metro, Keisei)Inside Ueno Park.
IC cards
Transit IC cards can be used at Ueno Station on JR, Tokyo Metro, and Keisei lines
Getting back
  • Entry until 16:00. The route to Ueno Station tends to get crowded near closing time
  • During construction, the gates open for entry may change (entry via Ikenohata Gate has been announced). Check the official notices
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best time to go

Busy
Weekends, holidays, spring break, Golden Week, and free-admission days
Quieter
Right after opening on weekdays
Time needed
2–3 hours. Half a day to see everything properly
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Spring

Coincides with cherry blossom season in Ueno Park, so the whole park gets crowded

Summer

Mostly outdoors and hot. Animals often rest during the day, so a morning visit is recommended

Autumn

A pleasant season. In 2026, the "Autumn Night Zoo" runs Oct 9–12 with hours until 20:00

Winter

Chilly but relatively uncrowded. Closed over New Year (Dec 29–Jan 1)

☂ Rainy days
Exhibits are mainly outdoors. You'll need an umbrella on rainy days; only some exhibits can be viewed indoors
Heat
You'll spend a lot of time walking outdoors. Bring a hat and drinks, and take breaks as you go
Cold
Mostly outdoors, so dress warmly
What to wear & bring
Wear comfortable shoes, as there are slopes and lots of walking. A hat in summer, warm clothes in winter
Rules

Rules & what you can bring

  • !No pets (assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities allowed; some areas restricted)
  • !Feeding the animals is prohibited
  • !Smoking only in designated smoking areas
  • !Take your trash home with you
Facilities

Facilities & services

Accessibility
Free admission for disability certificate holders and one companion. The Hashibiro Cart runs for getting around the grounds
Language support
Official website supports multiple languages, including English and Chinese
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Ueno Zoological GardensPR

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Central Tokyo

March

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually a Sunday in early March

2027: Mar 7 (Sun)

Photo coming soonApril

Bunkyo Azalea Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April

May

Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)

August

Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)

November

Tori-no-Ichi

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day

2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)

November–February

Marunouchi Illumination

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)

2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)

December

Hagoita-ichi (Battledore Market)

Tokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo

Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")

2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)

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Hours, prices and access are based on official and other primary sources. They may change, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-01