Researched guide · Checked on Oct 20, 2026
Ueno Zoo, opened in 1882, is Japan’s oldest zoo, inside Ueno Park. It is cheap, easy to reach and home to elephants, gorillas, tigers, polar bears and shoebills. Here are the hours, prices and the latest on the giant pandas.
Quick answer
Admission: ¥600 for adults, ¥300 for 65+, ¥200 for junior high school students. Children up to 6th grade are free.
Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:00). Closed on Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a holiday) and December 29 – January 1.
Giant pandas: the zoo’s two pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, left Ueno Zoo for China on January 27, 2026.
Tickets and prices
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | ¥600 |
| 65 and over | ¥300 |
| Junior high school students | ¥200 |
| Children up to 6th grade (elementary school) | Free |
- Buy at the ticket machines at the gate, or buy a date-specified online ticket and show the QR code at the entrance.
- At staffed windows you can pay by credit card, Suica and other transport IC cards, or QR payment (including Alipay and WeChat Pay).
- Free admission days: March 20 (the zoo’s anniversary), May 4 (Greenery Day) and October 1 (Tokyo Citizens’ Day).
Giant pandas
Ueno Zoo’s giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei left for China on January 27, 2026. If seeing pandas is the main reason for your visit, check the zoo’s official website for any news before you go.
Gates and how to get there
The zoo is split into the East Garden and the West Garden and has three gates. There is no zoo parking, so come by train.
| Gate | Nearest station | Walk |
|---|---|---|
| Main Gate (East Garden) | JR Ueno Station, Park Exit | 5 min |
| Main Gate (East Garden) | Ueno Station (Ginza and Hibiya lines) | 8 min |
| Benten Gate (West Garden) | Keisei Ueno Station | 4 min |
| Ikenohata Gate (West Garden) | Nezu Station (Chiyoda Line) | 5 min |
Near the Main Gate you will find elephants, polar bears, tigers and gorillas. The West Garden has giraffes, rhinos, hippos, shoebills and the reptile house. Coin lockers are at the Main Gate and the Benten Gate.
Tips
- Weekends and holidays are busy, with lines for tickets. Weekday mornings are quieter.
- Check the crowds before you go: the zoo’s live crowd map (in Japanese) shows how busy each area is right now. On closed days it still shows every area as not crowded, so check the closed days first.
- Some animals go into their indoor quarters early, so visit the animals you most want to see before mid-afternoon.
- Combine the zoo with Ueno’s museums. See our Ueno and Akihabara guide and Tokyo museums.
Also in Ueno Park: see our Tokyo National Museum guide for tickets, hours and access.
FAQ
How much is Ueno Zoo?
¥600 for adults, ¥300 for seniors 65+, ¥200 for junior high school students. Elementary school children and younger are free.
Are there pandas at Ueno Zoo?
The zoo’s two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, left for China on January 27, 2026. Check the official website for the latest news.
When is Ueno Zoo closed?
On Mondays (or the next day when Monday is a national holiday) and from December 29 to January 1. Some Mondays are open; see the official calendar.
How do I get to Ueno Zoo?
The Main Gate is a 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station.
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Sources
Hours, prices, access and panda news come from the official Tokyo Zoo Net website (checked October 20, 2026). Please check before you go.
