The moment we landed in Tokyo, we headed straight for Ueno Zoo. Our son Seojin loves traveling with his big cousin Doeun, and this trip together was extra special. He’d watched Harry Potter before the trip and fell in love with the snowy owl, so he’d been hoping to spot one at the zoo. Starting our Tokyo itinerary here turned out to be a great call.
| 📍 Location | Ueno Zoo, Tokyo |
| 💰 Admission | Adults ¥600 / Free under age 12 |
| ⏰ Hours | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Mondays) |
| 🚗 Getting there | Taxi from our hotel (also a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station) |
| 👶 Stroller | Stroller-friendly |
| ⭐ Recommended age | 3 and up |
Taxis in Japan are pricier than you’d expect, but nothing beats them when you’re traveling with kids. Between the luggage and keeping an eye on everyone’s energy levels, we splurged on a taxi without a second thought. Starting our first day in Tokyo with something relaxed like a zoo, instead of an ambitious itinerary, turned out to be exactly the right pace.
Ueno Zoo — a pleasant walk from the very entrance
The path to Ueno Zoo runs through a large park, so the walk itself was already enjoyable. We caught street performers along the way too, which kept the kids entertained the whole time. Walking through that park right after arriving in Tokyo, it finally hit us — we were really on vacation.
Admission is free for kids under 12, and adults pay just ¥600 — an incredibly good deal for a family outing. Inside, we saw large groups of Japanese students in uniform on field trips, and more Korean travelers than we expected. That tells you it’s a solid pick for any Tokyo trip with kids.
The zoo itself is smaller and cozier than we expected. If you’re picturing a sprawling safari-style park that takes all day to cover, you might be a little surprised. That said, pretty much every animal you’d expect to see is here, and the grounds are extremely well maintained — clean walkways and animals that all looked healthy and well cared for.
Tucked between the animal enclosures are traditional Japanese garden-style huts and little bridges, so it’s not just about the animals — the stroll itself is part of the fun. Watching Seojin and his cousin Doeun huddle over the zoo pamphlet, deciding together where to go next, was one of those small moments that made the whole trip worth it.
Ueno Zoo sits inside Ueno Park, so it’s within easy reach of other attractions like the national museum and art museums. If you have extra time, it’s worth extending your visit into a longer stroll through the park afterward. The “UENO ZOO” sign at the entrance also makes for a great photo spot — we took our first family picture there the moment we arrived.
Honestly, the first thing most people think of at Ueno Zoo is the pandas. We tried heading to the panda house first, but the line was much longer than expected. With the kids already tired from walking through the park, waiting 30+ minutes felt like too much, so we made the tough call to skip it. A little disappointing, but it gave us more relaxed time to explore the other exhibits — so we told ourselves it wasn’t such a bad trade-off. If pandas are your priority, we’d recommend heading straight there as soon as the gates open.
From tigers to monkeys — a route that’s just right for kids
One of the highlights at Ueno Zoo is definitely the tiger exhibit. We got to see a Sumatran tiger right up close through the glass, and Seojin couldn’t take his eyes off it. Even napping, seeing a tiger from that distance is a rare experience — an unforgettable moment for the kids.
The primate enclosure also lets you get close through the glass, so the kids pressed their hands against it and watched for a good while. Taking turns reading the pamphlet descriptions out loud and guessing which animal was which turned into a surprisingly fun little learning game.
Tips for visiting Ueno Zoo with a 7-year-old
- Double-check the admission rules — Kids under 12 get in free, so our 7-year-old didn’t need a ticket at all. No ID was requested, but bringing a passport just in case is a smart move.
- Take a taxi — We went straight from our hotel to the entrance by taxi. It’s also just a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station, so public transit works fine too, but a taxi is much more comfortable if you’re hauling luggage.
- Pack shade and water for summer — We visited in May and it wasn’t too hot, but the layout would get pretty warm in peak summer. Bring hats and water, and pace yourselves — there are shaded benches scattered throughout the park.
- Popular exhibits mean opening-time rushes — Just like the pandas, popular enclosures have short lines right at opening. If there’s an animal you really want to see, aim to arrive when the gates open.
There are snack stands and benches scattered all over the zoo, perfect for resting between stops. We grabbed ice cream and small snacks along the way, which came in handy for recharging tired little legs. Strollers can be rented on-site, but we just brought our own and had no trouble navigating the well-paved paths.
Since the zoo isn’t huge, it made for a perfect half-day outing — an easy way to ease into our first day in Tokyo without overdoing it. Seojin kept scanning every enclosure hoping to spot an owl, which was honestly the cutest thing to watch. We never did see a panda, but getting this close to a tiger made the day plenty special for him.
📌 More from our Japan trip
- Tokyo Disneyland with Kids | DPA Tips and the Opening Rush
- Sapporo with Kids: Jungle Go Animal Cafe
- Fukuoka with Kids: Marine World
📍 Getting There
If this post helped, come check out our YouTube channel, Jiniground! 🎬