UENO
Tokyo
Only three stations away from Tokyo, you can enjoy your day feeling traditional Japan around Ueno area. Ueno is already famous to tourists for it's Zoo and Museums, but the locals love its classic restaurants and parks with greens. Start your day at the local cafe, walk around the beautiful campus of the top university in Japan. For lunch, try one of the low-budget cafeterias in the university and spend your afternoon at Shinobazu Pond or Kyu-Iwasakitei gardens. For dinner, you should try Unagi (grilled eel) at one of the best restaurants in the Tokyo area.
A day in Ueno
The recommended one-day plan around the area.
9:30AM - BOULANGERIE ASANOYA ★1
FRESHLY BAKED BREADS AND JUICE FROM THE LOCAL BAKERY
ASANOYA is a local bakery shop found in 1933 and you can choose from many kinds of freshly hand-made pastries and breads. This bakery can be accessed directly from the Ueno station and it's a great way to start your day with fresh juice and bread.
Source: Trip Advisor
10:30AM - THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO★2
VISIT THE TOP UNIVERSITY IN JAPAN
University of Tokyo is ranked as the top university in Japan and was established in 1877. It is the first national university in Japan which has a beautiful campus close to Ueno.
You can enjoy the food, shops and beautiful parks and scenery in the campus grounds. If you want to feel like a student again, visit on a weekday!
12:30AM - CAFETERIA IN THE UNIVERSITY ★3
A SET MEAL FOR ONLY JPY500
You must try one of the cafeterias in the University of Tokyo. It is open through out the week and you can eat fine set meals for just "one coin", JPY500. It is open to the public and you can enjoy your lunch with the students.
14:30AM - SHINOBAZU POND / KYU-IWASAKI TEI ★4
WALK ABOUT THE JAPANESE FINE GARDENS
Shinobazu pond is a large pond located in Ueno area which is famous for being a dating spot for the locals. You can walk around the pond enjoying the scenery and try the swan boat for an easy activity!
Kyu-Iwasaki Tei (meaning Old Iwasaki House) is the former estate of the Iwasaki clan who were the founders of the Mitsubishi group company. It is a western style building which you can find a great mixture of western-Japanese culture.
18:30AM - UNAGI ★5
CLASSIC GRILLED EEL
Unagi is freshly grilled eel which is one of the most popular dining out foods in Japan. The chef would clean and cut the eel very delicately which is why it makes this grilled eel more tasty than when it is cooked outside of Japan. You can only taste the real Unagi at one of the Unagi restaurants.
Source: Izuei
OTHER SUGGESTIONS @ UENO
> Ueno Zoo
The oldest zoo in Japan which is famous for Panda bears.
> Museums
You can choose one from many choices which meets your interests.