Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ueno Park
One of the most important concentrations of high art in the city, Ueno Park
sits at the center of a down-to-earth working-class residential and entertain-
ment district. With its temples, shrines, famous cherry trees, a magnificent
lotus pond, statues, and tombs, the park is like a miniature model of Japan.
The hill, on which the upper part of the park sits, was once a great religious
center. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, this historical stage served as
a venue for large-scale art and industrial exhibitions, paving the way for the
venerable museums and galleries that occupy the park today. Almost all of
Tokyo gathers here during the enchanting spring cherry-blossom season.
Top 10 Features
1 Toshogu Shrine and
Kara-mon Gate
2 Benten-do
3 Gojo Tenjinsha and
Hanazono Inari Fox Shrines
4 Saigo Takamori Statue
5 Shitamachi Museum
6 Ueno Zoo
7 Five-Story Pagoda
8 National Museum of
Western Art
9 Shinobazu Pond
0 Cherry Trees
Visitors outside the
Shitamachi Museum
Those interested in
art can combine a
visit to the park with
the nearby Taikan
Yokoyama Memorial
Hall (see p84) , the
painter's private
house and lovely
garden.
Buy a drink from
one of the vending
machines beside
the outdoor tables
in front of Benten
Island. The café here
has inexpensive light
dishes, such as fried
noodles.
! Toshogu Shrine and
# Gojo Tenjinsha
Kara-mon Gate
This opulently decorated
shrine (above) , dedicated
to the memory of the first
shogun, Ieyasu, was reno-
vated in 1651. A row of
stone and copper lanterns
leads to the shrine.
and Hanazono
Inari Fox Shrines
Winding paths lead
through red torii gates
to Gojo and Hanazono
shrines. Inside stand Inari
fox statues (below) .
• Map F1
• Ueno Koen, Taito-ku
• Open 24 hrs
@ Benten-do
This temple honors the
Goddess of Beauty, often
depicted playing a four-
stringed lute. The ceiling
inside the hall is painted
with dragons, and the walls
with murals of fall flowers.
16
The stone and copper lanterns at the Toshogu Shrine were
donated by warlords eager to curry favor with the shogun.
 
 
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