The Ueno Zoo is Japan’s oldest zoo and contains an aquarium-like facility focusing on amphibians and reptiles. Here can be found frogs and snakes from Japan, as well as exhibitions of a variety of fish and beautiful plantings. There are also various amphibians and reptiles collected from all over the world. It is a popular spot that allows visitors to the zoo to have a brief aquarium experience.
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Come and meet Japan’s giant salamander
At the entrance is a facility allowing you to view the salamander, a so-called ‘natural monument’, from below. As the salamander can only live in pristine waters, recent environmental destruction has resulted in a rapid population decrease. In addition to the salamander, this exhibit also features a variety of gecko, newt, frogs and snakes from Japan. This space allows the visitor to both appreciate Japan’s many living creatures and learn the importance of protecting them.
Lively creatures thriving amongst beautiful plantings
The amphibians and reptile exhibit here was originally quite small, but after a renovation in 1999 they now have a large dedicated exhibition. The space is devised so that even the smaller creatures have the ability to live well in their tanks, with little places to hide and the ability to display their natural movements. The poison dart frog is not native to Japan, but they have them here and their bright colors and movements are very impressive. Many visitors take pictures of them as their blue and yellow coloring is very striking.
The site of Japan’s oldest aquarium
In fact, the Ueno Zoo site once housed Japan’s oldest aquarium, called ‘Uonosogi’. Created in 1882, it exhibited creatures within the dome of a tunnel-like building. Japan is now known as the country with the most aquariums, but it all started here in this original location in Ueno Zoo.
Getting here
| Address | Ueno Zoo, 9-83, Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8711, Japan |
| ☎ | 03-3828-5171 |
| Access | The aquarium direction page (English) |
Access Map
Admission Tickets, Price
| Fees | General | One-year pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16 – 64) | 600 yen | 2,400 yen |
| Senior (65+) | 300 yen | 1,200 yen |
| Student (13 – 15) | 200 yen | — |
| Child (0 – 12) | free | — |
Opening Hours & Calendar
| Hours | |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Last entry 4:00 p.m. | |
| Days closed | Every Monday (If a Monday is a national holiday, then the next day) Dec 29 – Jan 1 |
Official website
FAQs
Nursing Lounge
There are four nursing lounges in the park. Hot water is available for infant formula.
Coin lockers
There are two coin-operated lockers in the park.
Baby stroller rental service
Baby strollers are available at 500 yen per stroller.
Wheelchair rental service
Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
