Located in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Ueno Station has long been a traditional transportation hub. It was constructed in 1883 and inspired a pre-1912 poem by the young Ishikawa Takuboku. A memorial plate concerning the poem can be viewed inside the station. Today, Ueno Station is utilized both by local commuters and the long distance trains coming to Tokyo from northern regions of Japan.
Smaller than many of the other stations in Tokyo, Ueno Station is well suited to the international traveler. Consider the following information to help make your trip fun and worry-free!
Ueno Station train lines
Ueno Station can serve as your gateway to Tokyo and the rest of Japan. Don’t forget to use your Japan Rail Pass for affordable travel. In the JR office you will be able to exchange your pass and make your seat reservations. The office is located at the Information Center (Central Ticket Gate) and open everyday from 9 am to 7pm.
Shinkansen lines
Ueno is served by the following Shinkansen bullet trains lines:
- The Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai, Morioka, Shin-Aomori, and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (these last two stations connect with the Hokkaido Shinkansen).
- The Yamagata Shinkansen to Shinjo, Yamagata, and Fukushima.
- The Akita Shinkansen to Morioka and Akita.
- The Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata and Takasaki.
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa, Toyama, and Nagano.
Ueno Station has two levels of tracks and a deep underground small station for the Tohoku Shinkansen tracks.
Other JR lines
Other JR lines include:
- The Utsunomiya Line, also called the Tohoku Main Line, to Kuroiso, Omiya, Koga, Oyama, and Utsumoniya.
- The Takasaki Line to Omiya and Takasaki. Three limited express trains also run on this line: the Akagi/Swallow Akagi to Maebashi, the Kusatsu to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, and the Minakami to the town of that name.
- The Keihin-Tohoku Line to Saitama, Kawasaki, Yokohama, and others parts of Tokyo, including Akihabara.
- The Yamanote Loop Line, which provides easy access to many of Tokyo’s primary tourist attractions and other major train stations, including Tokyo-eki, Tokyo Station.
- The Joban Line to Mito, Tsuchiura, Abiko, Matsudo and Sendai. The Joban Line also offers a Limited Express Hitachi/Tokiwa to Mito and Katsuta, and rapid train to Narita, Toride, Abiko, and Kita-Senju.
- The Ueno-Tokyo line to Shinagawa, Yokohama, Odawara, and other parts of Tokyo.
Non-JR lines
The Tokyo Metro utilizes the Ginza and Hibiya lines for efficient local travel. Highway buses are also available. The nearby Keisei-Ueno Station provides access to Narita Airport.
How to get to Ueno Station
Located on the Yamanote Line, Ueno Station can be easily accessed from many of Tokyo’s other major train stations, including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro stations. Ueno Station is within walking distance of many local attractions. Exits are located on each side of the building for convenience.
Ueno Station contains two primary levels, as well as an underground station serving the Shinkansen lines. The Park Exit to Ueno Park is located on the northwest side of the building.
Coin lockers for luggage storage are conveniently located near the escalators and at each exit.
Ueno station map and layout
Things to do around Ueno
The station’s concourse includes interesting shops and restaurants, such as an Irish pub. Both in and around Ueno Station are a number of shopping arcades, including a branch of the famous Hard Rock Café.
A market street called Ameyoko, or “candy store alley” is located between Ueno and Okachimachi stations. A Super Hotel is located at the station’s Iriya exit. Ueno Station is an accessible location from which you may base your travels in Tokyo.
Nearby are a number of famous cultural facilities. Originally part of the grounds of the Kaneiji Temple, Ueno Park is a western style park that has been a public fixture since 1873. With more than 1,000 trees, the park is a prime location for viewing cherry blossoms. Other highlights include the statue of Saigo Takamori, commemorating the battle from which the park emerged, and the former temple’s Shinobazu Pond.
Ueno Park is also home to several museums and other educational institutions. These include the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Science Museum, Shitamachi Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Japan’s first zoological garden, the Ueno Zoo, is also located there.
Whatever attractions you discover in the Ueno district, your time in Tokyo is certain to make your vacation one to remember.