Ueno Park Part 1

Massive – this is how we could best describe the sheer size of Ueno park which, at 534,000m2, houses a wide range of attractions in this park. Established in 1873, Ueno Park was among Japan’s first public parks and is home to some major museums like the Tokyo National Museum, National Science Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Western Art, Shitamachi Museum, several temples and even a zoo!

It would be impossible to cover all aspects of this park in a single day, so I decided to divide my attention on the cultural aspects of this park and its temples with the following:

• Kiyomizu Kannon Temple (Part 1)
• Hanazono inari Temple (Part 1)
• Gojoten Temple (Part 1)
• Toshogu Shrine (Part 2)
• Ueno Park Pagoda (Part 2)
• Bentendo Temple and the Shinobazu Pond (Part 2)

While these temples and places are on the Ueno Park “Must See” list, we would also recommend visiting:

• Kaneiji Temple
• Ueno Daibutsu

Kiyomizu Kannon Temple: Originally built in 1631 and part of the Kaneji temple, the Kiyomizu Kannon Temple gets its design and architectural style from the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto and is also home to an image of Kosodate Kannon (Goddess of child-rearing) and a figure of Senju Kannon (Thousand Armed Goddess of Mercy).

Gojoten and Hanazono inari Temple: A few meters away from the Kiyomizu Kannon you will find both the Gojoten and Hanazono inari temples (fox temples). Both temples are actually close to each other and can be mistaken for the one and only place of worship.

The Gotojen temple is dedicated to the Scholar and poet Sugawara no Michizane (August 1, 845 – March 26, 903) and located close to the Shinobazu Pond, while the Hanazono inari Temple is dedicated to the Inari Okami, or spirit of the foxes, and can be accessed by a gorgeous series of Japanese Torii.