Town guide
Taito
台東区
Old Tokyo in one ward: Senso-ji in Asakusa, the city's oldest temple, with its Nakamise shopping lane, Ueno Park with the Tokyo National Museum and Japan's oldest zoo, and the Ameyoko market by Ueno Station.
17 places to see · 1 protected local food · 12 traditional crafts
Special ward in Tokyo
Good to know
- Get to Senso-ji early in the morning. By late morning the Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise are packed with tour groups.
- Ueno Zoo is closed on Mondays, or on Tuesday when the Monday is a public holiday.
- Kappabashi, the street between Ueno and Asakusa, is where to buy Japanese kitchen knives and the plastic food samples you see in restaurant windows.
- Ameyoko, the open-air market beside Ueno Station, has more than 250 shops selling snacks, seafood and clothes.
Famous areas in Taito
Each one has its own page with what to see, tips and a map.
Things to see in Taito
Tokyo National Museum
東京国立博物館Japan's oldest museum, founded in 1872, in Ueno Park. Its collection of Japanese art and archaeology is the largest in the country.
National Museum of Western Art
国立西洋美術館Museum of European art in Ueno Park, in a building by Le Corbusier that is part of a World Heritage site.
Senso-ji Temple
浅草寺Tokyo's oldest temple, in Asakusa, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine
上野東照宮Shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu in Ueno Park, with a gold-leafed hall and a long row of stone and bronze lanterns.
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Garden
旧岩崎邸庭園Western-style mansion built in 1896 for the Iwasaki family, founders of Mitsubishi, with a Japanese wing and lawn garden.
Kaminarimon Gate
雷門The outer gate of Senso-ji, with its giant red lantern. Nakamise shopping street runs from here to the temple.
Asakusa Shrine
浅草神社Shinto shrine right beside Senso-ji's main hall. It hosts the Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals, every May.
Hanayashiki
浅草花やしきSmall amusement park next to Senso-ji, open since 1853 and often called Japan's oldest. The rides are gentle and suit families.
Kappabashi Kitchen Town
かっぱ橋道具街Street of shops selling kitchen tools to restaurants: knives, pottery, lacquerware and the plastic food samples you see in windows.
Matsuchiyama Shoden (Honryu-in)
待乳山聖天Small hilltop temple a short walk north of Senso-ji, known for offerings of daikon radish.
Ueno Park
上野恩賜公園Large public park with national museums, a zoo, temples and Shinobazu Pond. One of Tokyo's best-known cherry blossom spots.
National Museum of Nature and Science
国立科学博物館Japan's national science museum in Ueno Park, with dinosaur skeletons, Japanese wildlife and a hall on science and technology.
Show all 17 places
Ueno Zoo
恩賜上野動物園Japan's oldest zoo, opened in 1882 inside Ueno Park. Its giant pandas are the big draw.
Ameyoko
アメヤ横丁Busy market street under and beside the train tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi stations: snacks, dried fish, fruit and bargains.
Yanaka Cemetery
谷中霊園Large, leafy cemetery with a cherry tree-lined main avenue, popular for quiet walks between Nippori and Ueno.
Asakura Museum of Sculpture
朝倉彫塑館Home and studio of sculptor Asakura Fumio, with his works, a courtyard water garden and a rooftop garden. Visitors take off their shoes.
Tenno-ji Temple (Yanaka)
天王寺Old temple beside Yanaka Cemetery, with a large seated bronze Buddha in its grounds.
Map of Taito
Every place on this page, on the map. Switch on places to eat and stay nearby.
Things to do in Taito
Nearby towns and day trips
Taste and take home
Foods with a protected name and officially recognised crafts from Tokyo.
Japan Heritage stories in Tokyo
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- Official city websiteTaito City official website(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia (Japanese)Taito ward (Japanese Wikipedia)(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- WikipediaSenso-ji (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
- WikipediaUeno Zoo (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
- WikipediaTokyo National Museum (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
- WikipediaKappabashi (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)
- WikipediaAmeya-Yokocho (Wikipedia) (opens in a new tab)