UENO hill is located northeast from EDO castle ( now, the Imperial Palace).
It was believed in ancient times that demons would invade into city from
northeastern direction
and Tokugawa shogunate constructed a Buddhist temple, KANEI-JI on the hill in 1625
in order to protect the capital with Buddhist power.
Afterwards the first modern park was constructed there in 1873 and named
"UENO park".
Nowadays the hill boasts several big museums, Tokyo National University
of fine arts and musics,
UENO zoo and hundreds of cherry blossom trees. We get there in 7 minutes
from Tokyo station
by JR YAMANOTE line and also by GINZA and HIBIYA subway line.
Near the entrance of UENO hill, the statue of
Takamori SAIGO stands. He is one of the greatest
heroes and leaders in Japan's history.
Hundreds of cheery trees are in full bloom
at the beginning of April
Lotus flowers are in bloom at Shinobazu pond
at the foot of Ueno hill.
Passing National museum of western art, and
turning to left we come on this road.
National museum of nature and science
with a life-size model of perm whale.
Passing National museum of western art and
going straight, we see UENO zoo, biggest
in Japan in front
At the corner of National museum of nature and
science, we turn to left, walk about 100m and
see Tokyo National museum at right.
The entrance hall of the main pavilion of
Tokyo National museum.
National museum of western art, designated
world heritage, is located beyond the intersection.
The intersection in front of Ueno park exit of
JR UENO station.
