Ueno Zoo, Tokyo

The Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoological park in Japan. It covers an area of 35.2 acres and houses over 2600 animals.

The Ueno Zoo was established in 1882. At first it had old fashioned cages where a range of species were housed. Today it has changed the layout and animals live and roam in habitats resembling their original homes. The zoo has received many species from abroad to provide an educational and recreation space for locals and visitors to Tokyo. From 1972 to 2008, there were giant pandas that attracted both Japanese and international visitors. Today, it has gorilla woods and a tiger forest. The mammal house has many unique nocturnal species and the Vivarium has an array of reptile and amphibian species. The Shinobazu Pond within the park is a unique habitat for the rare endangered native Japanese cormorant. There is a petting area where small children are allowed to play with goats and other farm animals.

Visitors also come to the Ueno Zoo to view two historic buildings. One is the five storey Kan’ei ji pagoda, the last surviving part of the once prosperous Kan’ei ji temple and the stone Tea Ceremony House used during the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate as a place of entertainment for the ruling classes.