Ueno Zoo (with baby)
How Baby-Friendly is Ueno Zoo?
What makes it 87% Baby-Friendly: Multiple nursing rooms, diaper tables, stroller rentals, and shaded benches suit infants, though uneven paths and noisy feeding shows may overstimulate some babies, so plan shorter visits.
Positives:
- Free baby admission: Children under 12 enter for free, reducing overall cost.
- Baby-friendly facilities: Complimentary strollers, nursing rooms, and diaper tables are available.
Challenges:
- Panda Pavilion crowding: The panda area gets busy midday, making it harder to navigate with a stroller.
- Extensive walking: Paths span both gardens, so expect up to 3 km of walking with a baby in tow.
What is Ueno Zoo?
- A 19th-century zoological park in Tokyo’s Taito ward, established in 1882 as Japan’s oldest zoo
- Home to over 400 species of animals, including giant pandas, elephants, lions and polar bears
- Comprises specialized facilities—a reptile house, nocturnal house and aquarium—alongside a historic five-story pagoda
What is so special about Ueno Zoo for with baby?
- Meet giant pandas without extra tickets.
- Ride the monorail for a fun, short break.
- Use free baby facilities: strollers and nursing rooms.
- Enjoy shaded rest spots under cherry blossoms.
- Explore both East and West Gardens at a relaxed pace.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with baby: Three hours lets you cover key exhibits at a relaxed pace with a baby.
Baby-Friendly Activities in Ueno Zoo
Panda Pavilion:
Watch giant pandas in a Sichuan-style enclosure near the East Garden.
Tip: Visit right at opening to avoid lines and use the stroller route from the main gate.
Monorail Ride:
Enjoy a 90-second ride over Aesop Bridge between East and West Gardens.
Tip: Buy tickets at the East Garden station; it’s fun for the baby and saves walking.
Children’s Zoo STEP Touch-Area:
Let your baby see and gently touch small animals like guinea pigs.
Tip: Check the touch program time at General Info and wash hands before entry.
Five-Story Pagoda & Japanese Animal Area:
Stroll under the historic pagoda and spot deer and Japanese serow.
Tip: Use the shaded benches nearby to rest and feed your baby.
When is the best time to visit Ueno Zoo (Tokyo, Japan)?
Spring brings cherry blossoms around the pond for shaded rest spots. Summer days get hot, so start your visit by 10:00 to keep baby cool.
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Reviews of Ueno Zoo (Tokyo)
Fatiha
Im skeptical if the animals are getting the right environment and food to thrive. On such a hot day there was no proper cooling system and i felt like the animals had not much space to move around esp the elephants. Honestly didn’t really wanted to support such zoo where they feel so restricted i honestly felt bad. The zoo itself was fun and esp cheap for the amount of things you can see inside. L...
Isabelle
As an Australian I felt so sad for these animals. Back home our zoo has massive enclosures where the animals can feel at home whereas this zoos enclosures were so small. I could see some animals seemingly wishing to not be there or beyond bored to the point they were just resting. Didn't seem that there was much else to do. Great food and cheap entrance but please take better care of these animals...
Patrick Roring
Very nice zoo. Great place to see animals we can’t find where we came from in Indonesia. Notably the Pandas, seals, the penguins, secretary bird, gorillas, bison and polar bear. In the hot Japan summer, we could stay cool along the tracks as the place has lots of big trees around and as it is on the hill side has some cool wind.
Alejandro Lleras
Gotta Love the panda! The size of the zoo is absolutely wonderful. You can do this Zoo without getting exhausted and see some truly spectacular animals (panda, gorillas, Sumatra tiger, various eagles, flamingos...). Very easy to navigate, very family friendly and very affordable (children enter free!).
Sara Mitchell
Loved Ueno Zoo. Awesome gem in the middle of Tokyo. Heaps of animals to see, so allow plenty of time. We spent 4 hours just walking around seeing everything. Not too far to walk from train. We didn't pre purchase tickets, just bought them at the front gate. Very quick and easy. The pandas were my husbands favourite. But it got a little crazy seeing the male panda as there was no line up, just peop...
Typical Budget for a Family of 3 (2 Adults + 1 Baby)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult admission (2×600¥) | JPY 1,200 |
| Zoo lunch for family | JPY 2,000 |
| Monorail ride (2×150¥) | JPY 300 |
| Locker rental | JPY 200 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 3,700 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
How to Maximize Your Visit to Ueno Zoo
- Start early: Arrive at opening time to beat crowds and midday heat.
- Use zoo strollers: Borrow a free stroller at the Main Gate to ease walking.
Map of Ueno Zoo
Address: 9-83 Uenokōen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8711, Japan
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About Ueno Zoo
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
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