Ueno Zoo is two gardens rather than one loop, and the stretch between the East and West Gardens runs about 300 metres. A free electric shuttle bus covers it: eleven seats, room for up to two wheelchairs, everyone seated, and priority given to guests who find walking difficult.
Packed lunches are allowed. The places to sit down with one are Saruyama Kitchen in the East Garden and the rest area in the West Garden; when it rains, the covered option is Shinobazu Pond Terrace on the West Garden side. Seats there cannot be reserved, and you are not allowed to hold one for someone still on their way over.
The thing to plan around is that individual animal houses can shut before the zoo does, or drop out of the day altogether, depending on the weather and on how the animals are doing. Promise your child the zoo, not one particular animal. The consolation is that an entry ticket carries no expiry date, so an unused one can be spent on a later day. Note too that the zoo is closed on Mondays, and when a Monday falls on a public holiday it closes the following day instead.
Family FAQ
How much does Ueno Zoo cost?
General admission is 600 JPY and junior high school students pay 200 JPY (bring proof of age).
What are the opening hours of Ueno Zoo?
Open 9:30-17:00; some animals may go in early.
Can you bring a stroller to Ueno Zoo?
Strollers can be used; the zoo publishes a map of the routes passable with a stroller or wheelchair.
Can you bring your own food to Ueno Zoo?
Bring your own lunch to Saruyama Kitchen (East Garden), the West Garden rest area, or the covered Shinobazu Pond Terrace if it rains.
