Ueno Onshi Park, Park in Tokyo, Japan
Ueno Onshi Park is a large public park in the northern part of Tokyo, with wide paths winding through gardens, wooded areas, and open lawns, all surrounding a central pond called Shinobazu. The park also contains several museums, a zoo, temples, and shrines spread across its grounds.
The park was founded in 1873 as the first public park in Japan, on land that once belonged to the Kan'ei-ji temple. The word 'Onshi', meaning 'imperial gift', recalls that this land was given to the city by the imperial family.
In spring, the park becomes one of the most celebrated spots for hanami, the tradition of gathering under cherry trees to eat and drink together. In summer, Shinobazu Pond fills with lotus flowers that sometimes cover almost the entire water surface.
The park is a short walk from Ueno Station, which is served by several train lines connecting different parts of the city. Weekends and holidays draw large crowds, especially during cherry blossom season, so arriving in the morning gives you more space to move around.
The National Museum of Western Art inside the park was designed by Le Corbusier and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not far from it, a stone face mounted on a small wall is all that remains of the Ueno Daibutsu, a large Buddha statue that was repeatedly damaged by earthquakes and eventually dismantled.
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