Ueno Zoo, Zoo in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan
Ueno Zoo is a zoological garden within Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan, spanning 14.3 hectares divided into East and West sections. These two areas hold around 3000 animals representing roughly 300 species and are connected by a small overhead walkway and monorail.
The garden opened in 1882 as the first zoological facility in Japan, growing from a small menagerie linked to the National Museum of Natural History. It expanded over the decades from a modest collection into a large institution focused on conservation and education.
Japanese visitors often bring children to see the Japanese serow and Hokkaido brown bears, animals they rarely encounter in their everyday lives. These native species occupy enclosures designed to reflect their mountain habitats across the Japanese islands.
The main entrance sits close to Ueno Station, and the grounds usually open from half past nine in the morning until five in the afternoon. Visitors with limited mobility can access most areas through accessible pathways and facilities throughout the site.
The facility is one of only three places in Japan where giant pandas live, making it a key site for research and breeding efforts. Visitors often notice long queues forming outside the panda enclosure, especially on weekends and holidays.
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