In addition to the existing tours at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, Asakusa Sensoji Temple and Meiji Shrine / Harajuku, we will have another walking tour at the heart of Ueno Park starting on February 11. This will be the fourth tour for TFWT. The starting point is the front of Park Exit of JR Ueno Station and the goal is the statue of Saigo Takamori.
Ueno Park is one of the first public parks in Japan. In fact, the park was the site of Kaneiji Temple, the Japan’s largest and family temple of the ruling Tokugawa dynasty during the Edo period which continued for nearly 270 years. The temple was politically and religiously influential and the site of the temple was twice as large as the current park at its peak.
However, when the Japan’s largest ever civil war broke out in the late 1800s, Kaneiji was ruined and devastated by fires. Afterwards, the grounds became a public park. Fortunately, the 400-year old historical buildings including Ueno Toshogu Shrine, five-storied pagoda and Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple survive the earthquakes, fires and wars in the original forms and miraculously remain intact and aesthetic.
Now the park is expansive, offers greenery scenery and has variety of great attractions: Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Western Art, Ueno Zoo and the relaxing pond for visitors.
The Park is fascinating no matter what season of the year you come. Enjoy rich nature and vigorous culture at Ueno Park. We offer the pleasant Japan experience for all the guests and believe that you will be satisfied with our guide at Ueno Park.
Ueno Park is located a one minute-walk from Ueno train/underground stations. Our first tour is scheduled on February 11(national holiday) at 13:00. The length of time will be approximately 2 hours. The closest station is JR Ueno Station. The meeting point is between the Station and Tokyo Bunka Kaikan(Culture Hall). Get out of the Park Exit (Koenguchi) of JR Ueno Station and cross the street for Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Culture Hall). Then you will find our staff waiting for you with the TFWT flag. The tour will currently be conducted on non-regular basis. We will be looking forward to seeing you then.
(posted by Yoshi)