“Ueno” is a guaranteed crowd-puller. Articles that mention it always seem to attract high readership. Perhaps that is because of its unique and multifaceted charm.
For Japanese people, Ueno is often the starting point of a dream-chasing journey in Tokyo. It is where stories begin, whether they end in triumphant homecomings or empty-handed returns. Many of life's turning points start from this very station.
For foreign visitors, Ueno is both the beginning and the end of a Tokyo adventure. The excitement of arrival and the reluctance of departure all converge here, making it a place where countless emotions intersect.
With its excellent transportation links, the endless souvenirs and food stalls of Ameyoko, the shopping districts of 0101 and PARCO, and the breathtaking cherry blossoms of Ueno Park, Ueno has become one of the top accommodation choices for independent travelers visiting Tokyo. It is also a destination that finds its way into almost every itinerary.
Let’s take a look back at some of my Ueno experiences from recent years!
2025
Tokyo Again 2025 (3) -APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae - with Movie NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (4) The First Night in Ueno（GYU STAR All you can eat BBQ / Donki in Ueno) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (9) - Under the cherry blossom trees (Ueno Park / Tsukiji Market) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (12) - Ueno Again NEW!!
2026
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 2) – Arrival: The Hotel in Ueno NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 13): Penguins and Polar Bears at the Sweltering Ueno Zoo NEW2026!!!
July 22, 2026
On the final day of the trip, I woke up early and headed alone to Keisei Ueno Station. After selecting my Skyliner departure time and reserving a seat, my journey back to the airport was all set.
(I bought the ticket through Trip.com and simply used the QR code at a self-service ticket machine to collect my ticket and choose my departure time and seat. In fact, you can check the available train times beforehand using Google Maps. For example, if you set the departure time to 6:30 PM on July 22 and the destination as Airport Terminal 2, Google Maps will accurately tell you that the next fastest train departs at 7:00 PM. This allows you to know your train options and airport arrival times before even reaching the station. Very convenient.)
After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we devoted the remaining half day before our flight entirely to Ueno.
Ueno is beautiful both day and night. At night, you can enjoy steaming bowls of ramen and skewers from restaurants that stay open until the early hours. In the morning, fresh seafood rice bowls await those who rise early.
After breakfast, we visited Ueno Zoo and spent a scorching hot morning there (see Diary 13 for details). Following lunch near Ueno Station, we split into groups once again. My mother went shopping at (0101), while the rest of us headed to Ueno’s paradise for anime fans, Yamashiroya.
This was my third visit to Yamashiroya in recent years. It no longer felt surprising, but the ever-changing range of anime merchandise remained as appealing as ever.
Before leaving for the airport, our reunited group made one final stop at the souvenir shop Niki no Kashi. While the two ladies in our group immersed themselves in aisles filled with snacks and dried foods, I wandered around nearby stores browsing football jerseys and nostalgic collectibles. Each of us spent our final afternoon in Tokyo doing exactly what we loved most.
As both the beginning and the end of countless journeys, the road leading back to Keisei Ueno Station became the place where we once again said goodbye to Ueno, to Tokyo, and to this unforgettable trip.
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 - To Be Continued
Next chapter: (15) The Trip Planner’s Summary and Trip Rating
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Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Busily working on my write-up...)
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 - Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 2) – Arrival: The Hotel in Ueno NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 3) – Disneyland vs DisneySea Ultimate Showdown NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (part 4) Tokyo Disneyland – Pre-Trip Preparations NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (part 5): Full‑Day Field Log at Tokyo Disneyland NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (part 6) - The Akihabara Dad Squad NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 7): Complete Guide to Shibuya Sky NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 8) Preparation!‑ Fuji‑Q Highland NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 9) Fuji‑Q Highland – Thrills, Scares and the Attack NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 10) TeamLab Plants Tokyo: Immersed NEW2026!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 11) Dad’s “One‑Unicorn Show” NEW2026!!
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary 2026 (Part 13): Penguins and Polar Bears at the Sweltering Ueno Zoo NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Again 2025
Tokyo Trip Planner Diary（Part 12) Shopping‑Culture Experience – Mitsui Outlet Park Makuhari NEW2026!!!
Tokyo Again 2025
Tokyo Again 2025(1) - 72 hours of traveling in Tokyo (3 -days Itinerary plan, plus 7-days in 2024) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (2) - Tokyo Transportation - Simplified Package for Dummies NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (3) -APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae - with Movie NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (4) The First Night in Ueno（GYU STAR All you can eat BBQ / Donki in Ueno) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (5) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 1 - How Did We Go?) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (6) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 2 - Leisurely Stroll......Kumoba Pond) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (9) - Under the cherry blossom trees (Ueno Park / Tsukiji Market) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (10) - First Avenue Tokyo Station - Tokyo Character Street NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (11) - Shopping Paradise (Ginza) NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (12) - Ueno Again NEW!!
Tokyo Again 2025 (13) - Prepare for Next Tokyo Trip NEW!!
Tokyo 2024
Tokyo 2024 - 7 days itinerary (Family of 4 - Attractions and Shopping Experience) NEW!!
Disney Sea Tokyo 1 - Basic Information and Tips for your journey NEW!!
Dinery Sea Tokyo 3 - Busy Second Half Having fun (Peter Pan / Toy Story Mania)
The Making of Harry Potter (Tokyo)
Hotel in Ikebukuro (Hotel Hisoca Ikebukuro)
USJ Osaka 2023
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 1 - Basic Information and Some Tips for your journey
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 2 - Preparation with Kids
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) Part 6 - Harry Porter and His Magic Wand
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) Part 7 - Our Forbidden Journey
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 8 - Universal Wonderland and Others
