Ueno Zoo: Japan's Oldest Zoo and How to Visit

Plan a visit to Ueno Zoological Gardens with its opening year, layout, animals, getting there, and where to confirm hours and admission.

Published October 20, 2026 at 1:09 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Ueno Zoo (Ueno Zoological Gardens) opened on March 20, 1882, and is described as Japan's oldest zoo. It sits inside Ueno Park in Taito, Tokyo, a short walk from Ueno Station, and is run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Hours, admission and animal highlights can change, so check the zoo's official page before you go.

What Ueno Zoo is

Ueno Zoological Gardens, usually called Ueno Zoo, opened on March 20, 1882, and is described as Japan's oldest zoo. It is located inside Ueno Park in Taito, Tokyo, and is managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The zoo began as a menagerie connected to a natural history museum and later became a public zoo, which means that it has been part of the city for well over a century.

The grounds cover roughly 14 hectares (about 35 acres), and Tokyo's official tourism site mentions around 2,500 animals from roughly 300 species, though counts change over time. For visitors the appeal lies in its compact, walkable layout, its historic setting inside a park filled with museums, and the chance to see many kinds of animals in half a day.

Where it is and how to get there

The zoo is inside Ueno Park, which sits next to Ueno Station. The zoo's official page lists walking routes of about five to ten minutes from JR Ueno Station, from Ueno Station on the Ginza and Hibiya subway lines, from Keisei Ueno Station, and from Nezu Station on the Chiyoda line. The Tokyo tourism site adds that the zoo is directly connected to Ueno Station through the Zoo Exit.

There is no car parking at the zoo, although nearby paid lots exist, so most visitors arrive by train. The main gate is about a five-minute walk from the JR Ueno Station Park Entrance. Because the zoo shares the park with a pond, a shrine with a pagoda, and several large museums, many people combine it with other sights in a longer day out in Ueno.

Layout: the East and West Gardens

The zoo is divided into two main areas. The East Garden includes Gorilla Woods, Tiger Forest, Elephant Forest, and polar bear and seal exhibits, along with a five-storied pagoda and a teahouse called Kankan-tei. The pagoda is a historic structure that dates back to 1631, and it gives the East Garden a character that is unusual for a zoo.

The West Garden presents animals from regions such as South America, Africa and Madagascar. The official page lists animals such as okapi, aye-aye and pygmy hippos in the west, and also describes a Vivarium for reptiles and amphibians and a Small Mammal House for nocturnal animals. The two gardens used to be linked by a monorail, which Wikipedia says was permanently closed in December 2023, so plan to walk between the two areas.

Animals and highlights

Highlights on the official site include gorillas and tigers viewed up close in their forest-style exhibits, as well as elephants, polar bears and a wide range of other species. Tokyo's tourism site also highlights the zoo's group of shoebills, a large wading bird, and says that the zoo has Japan's largest group of them.

The zoo is also known for giant pandas, which have been part of its history since 1972. Tokyo's tourism site notes that the Panda Forest area is currently without pandas, and Wikipedia reports that the zoo's pandas returned to China in January 2026, so check the zoo's latest news before you plan a visit around a particular animal. Animal exhibits can change, and some areas close for maintenance or seasonal reasons, so it helps to keep expectations flexible and enjoy the broader collection. A good way to start is to pick up a map at the entrance, decide on two or three animals you most want to see, and let the rest of the day unfold around them.

Hours, admission and closed days

The official English page lists opening hours of 9:30 to 17:00, with tickets sold until 16:00, though hours can be longer in summer. It lists the zoo as closed every Monday (with a shift to Tuesday when Monday is a public holiday), and also closed from December 29 to January 1. Admission was listed as 600 yen for adults aged 16 to 64, 300 yen for those 65 and over, 200 yen for students aged 13 to 15, and free for children 12 and under.

The page also lists a few free admission days each year, including March 20, May 4 and October 1. These details can change, so check the zoo's official page for current information before visiting. The Tokyo tourism site suggests that a visit takes a good half day, so a morning start leaves room for a relaxed pace. Remember that the entrance and ticket office close an hour before closing time, and that the zoo may stay open later in summer, so check the schedule for your date instead of relying on a general rule.

Visiting with children

Ueno Zoo is easy to enjoy with children. Admission for young children is listed as free, and the paths are laid out for walking, with a mix of large animals and smaller exhibits. The Small Mammal House and the Vivarium give a change of pace indoors, and the Vivarium and Small Mammal House close slightly earlier than the main gates, so visit them first.

Bring comfortable shoes, water and a hat in summer, and plan breaks in the shade. If you use a stroller, check the zoo's official page about stroller access and facilities. The park outside has open space for a rest or a snack in good weather, where local rules allow it, and the museums nearby offer indoor options on rainy days.

Combining the zoo with Ueno Park

Ueno Park is described by Tokyo's tourism site as a large park next to Ueno Station with a boating pond, a shrine with a pagoda, and many museums. It lists the National Museum of Western Art, the Ueno Royal Museum, the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science among them.

Cherry trees in the park usually bloom from late March into April, and lotus flowers appear in summer around Shinobazu Pond. Because both the zoo and the museums have their own opening hours and closed days, confirm each one on its official page when you plan a combined day. A zoo visit in the morning and a museum in the afternoon is a simple pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Ueno Zoo open?

Ueno Zoo opened on March 20, 1882, and is described as Japan's oldest zoo. It started as a menagerie connected to a museum before becoming a public zoo. It is run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and sits inside Ueno Park in Taito, Tokyo.

How do I get to Ueno Zoo?

The zoo is a short walk from several stations, including JR Ueno Station, Ueno Station on the Ginza and Hibiya lines, Keisei Ueno Station and Nezu Station. Tokyo's tourism site also mentions a Zoo Exit at Ueno Station. There is no parking lot at the zoo, so trains are the usual choice.

Does Ueno Zoo have giant pandas now?

Tokyo's tourism site says that the Panda Forest area is currently without pandas, and Wikipedia reports that the pandas returned to China in January 2026. Pandas have been part of the zoo's history since 1972, but animal arrangements can change. Check the zoo's official website or news page for the latest information before you plan a visit around any particular animal.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japan With a Toddler is available on Amazon.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Lotus Flowers at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno: Summer Morning Viewing, Botanical Gardens in Tokyo: Koishikawa, Jindai and Quiet Green Escapes and Ueno Park: Museums, Cherry Blossoms and a Famous Zoo.