Visitors of all ages will find something special in Ueno. After working up an appetite exploring the area’s many museums, libraries, concert halls, and even a zoo, nothing beats having an afternoon snack to cap off the day. Whether you’re craving a cup of artisanal coffee in a relaxing art museum café, or are in search of a uniquely playful kids’ meal, rest assured, Ueno has just the spot for you.
The Ueno Royal Museum is a familiar destination for art afficionados, frequently feted for its roster of world-class exhibitions featuring such masters as Vermeer and Van Gogh. Although located a mere three-minute walk from the Park Gate exit at JR Ueno Station, the museum is situated in a comparatively calm corner of the park, away from the bustle of the Ueno Zoo and the ever-popular natural history museums. After checking out the art, make sure to stop by Café mori, secreted away on the museum’s ground floor. Serving a curated menu of sweets and hand-brewed pour-over coffee, Café mori is one museum café that’s well worth a visit in its own right, to enjoy a tranquil moment of Zen.
Throughout
the year, Ueno Park hosts a wide variety of events the whole family can enjoy.
After working up an appetite, the perennial question is: What’s for lunch?
Fortunately, Ueno Park is a kids’ meal paradise. Plenty of kid-friendly fare
can be found on the menus at the many museums and other public institutions
located around the park.
In this installment, join us on a culinary tour of the National Museum of Nature and Science, the National Diet Library’s International Library of Children’s Literature, and the Ueno Zoo, as we explore the park’s best kids’ meals — so scrumptious, even adults will be tempted to steal a bite.
Ueno Park is renowned for its impressive array of world-class art and natural history museums. Kuroda Memorial Hall is one such hidden gem, tucked away in the northwest corner of the park. Dedicated to painter Seiki Kuroda, the memorial hall boasts a permanent collection of works that are undoubtedly familiar to Japanese students from their school textbooks. Erected in 1928, the building is an elegant surviving example of early Showa era architecture, and provides an ideal setting for enjoying Kuroda’s beautiful work to its fullest. Best of all, the price of admission is free. With a coffee shop on site, Kuroda Memorial Hall is the perfect spot to relax after a morning in the park, and enjoy a moment of quiet decadence.
