A trip to the Ueno Zoo was a heartwarming time to spend with family. The adorable pandas of Japan’s oldest zoo, the midsummer evening zoo event in 2025, the fresh local cuisine, and the joy of a leisurely stroll in Ueno Park. All of these were moments that reminded me of the wonders of nature and its creatures. Here are my recommendations for the best of what the Ueno Zoo has to offer, as my family and I discovered on this trip. Healing in the Panda House, adventure in the West Garden, fantastic nights in the Night Zoo, and rest in comfortable accommodations. This trip will surely leave a deep aftertaste in your heart. Why not strengthen your special bond with your family or loved ones in the lush green forests of Ueno? Visitors from overseas can also easily enjoy the tour with English information boards and apps.
Morning: Adorable encounter at the panda house
Arriving at Ueno Station in the morning, our first stop was the Panda House, a 10-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station, surrounded by the greenery of Ueno Onshi Park, which opened in 1882 and is the oldest zoo in Japan. On an autumn morning when we visited, the children were so excited to see a relaxed giant panda in the panda house, saying, “It’s the real Ponta! The children were so excited to see a relaxed giant panda in the panda house. My husband and I observed the pandas eating bamboo through the glass and chatted with them about panda ecology. The English explanatory panels were detailed, and many families were enjoying themselves with their friends from overseas, making the international atmosphere comfortable. The panda house is a great place for families to start their healing process.
Admission is 600 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students (as of 2025). The park is open from 9:30 to 17:00 (last admission at 16:00). Please visit the official website ( Ueno Zoo ) and download the English version of the map and app. 2025 autumn will see more panda activity and more guided tours for foreigners.
Lunch: Ueno Gourmet at the park’s restaurants
After enjoying the panda house, go to ” Restaurant Pao” inside the park for lunch. This eatery, located near the West Park, offers an attractive menu using fresh ingredients from Ueno. Upon entering the bright, wood-grained restaurant, children were delighted by the animal illustrations. We ordered the zoo curry set (1,200 yen). The juicy hamburger steak and the vegetable-filled curry were a hit with the children, who exclaimed, “I feel energetic just like the animals! The kids were overjoyed, saying, “I’m as energetic as an animal! My husband added a glass of locally brewed sake and said, “This refreshing flavor is what Ueno is all about. I was also impressed by the pickled plums that accentuated the dish. An English menu was also available, and it was heartwarming to see a family from overseas enjoying it next to us. Gourmet food in the park is a great source of energy after animal viewing.
Open from 10:00 to 16:00 (L.O. 15:30). During busy times, it is recommended to visit on weekdays. For details, please check the official website ( Ueno Zoo Restaurant ). The curry set is an easy dish to share with the family, although other gourmet foods in Ueno are also attractive.
Afternoon: Animal adventure and petting zoo at West Garden
After lunch, we moved to the West Garden to tour the elephant and giraffe houses. The vast park is divided into the East and West Gardens, and the children were excited to see the dynamic elephants in the West Garden, saying, “Their big noses are so big! The children were so excited to see the dynamic elephants in the West Park, saying, “Their big noses are amazing! They pretended to measure the length of a giraffe’s neck with their husbands and laughed with each other, and borrowed an English explanation panel to learn together with their friends from overseas. At the petting area, families experienced the warmth of animals by feeding goats (free of charge, 10 minutes required). 2025’s special event, “World Gorilla Day,” featured an extensive gorilla ecology exhibit and was crowded with international participants. The West Park is a great place to stimulate the family’s sense of adventure.
The petting zoo is open from 9:30 to 16:00. For more information, please visit the official website ( Ueno Zoo West Garden ).In the summer of 2025, the Night Zoo (August 11-16) will be popular among foreigners.
Evening: Fantastic Midsummer Night at the Zoo
After your afternoon adventure, spend the evening at the 2025 Midsummer Night Zoo event: Night Zoo from August 11-16, open at night from 17:00 to 21:00. Walking through the illuminated zoo, children were excited, saying, “The zoo at night is like magic! They were so excited. Together with their husbands, they observed the activities of nocturnal owls and bats, and learned with other families from overseas by utilizing the English guidebook. The event’s special stage featured animal quizzes and a music show, which brought smiles to the faces of the families who participated. The Night Zoo shows another face of animals on cool summer nights.
Night Zoo admission fee is the same as the regular fee. For more information, please visit the official website ( Midsummer Night Zoo ). 2025 event will be more English-speaking guided tours and more international tourist-friendly.
Night: Park Rest at Ueno no Mori Hotel
With the excitement of the Night Zoo in our hearts, we checked into the Ueno Royal Forest Hotel after dinner. This hotel, about a 5-minute walk from the zoo, boasts spacious, family-friendly rooms. The family room overlooking Ueno Park has a spacious bed, and the children are happy to look out the window at the park at night. The zoo lights at dusk could be seen in the distance, enhancing the afterglow of the trip. For dinner, we enjoyed a Japanese/Western buffet of local ingredients at the hotel restaurant. Fresh vegetables and the zoo’s famous curry-flavored dishes were a big hit with the kids, who were especially surprised by the plum-flavored desserts. At the breakfast buffet, freshly baked bread and fruit juices were impressive. The warm hospitality of the staff was also pleasant, and I was delighted to receive a zoo map as a gift for my children. The large public bath was relaxing and the evening bath made my body feel warm and fuzzy. The location near the park is convenient for exploring the park the next day.
Accommodation plans start at around 15,000 yen per room per night including breakfast. Park view rooms are also available. For details, please check the official website ( Ueno no Mori Hotel ). Other accommodations near Ueno Zoo are also attractive, but the location and comfort of this hotel are exceptional.
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