Ueno Park Tour

[boardhead]

Does anyone know anything about the free tour of Ueno Park? Is it in english? Is it worth utilizing?
To be clear I am refering to the tour beginning at Ueno Green Salon held Wed, Fri, and Sun, 10:30 and 1:30- talked about in all the guide books.
Thanks again!

[Nagoyankee]

I've checked; It's in English. How good it is, I've no idea. But you couldn't lose anything, either. I'd probably participate in one if I were an English-speaker since it's really a nice park.

[Sangetsu]

The tour is fine, but Ueno isn't so big that you can't find your way around yourself. The main entrance to the park is directly across the street from Ueno station. At this entrance you'll find the opera house and Museum of Western Art. Walk a little further and turn right, you'll see a large reflecting pool and fountain. The impressive Japanese style building in the background is the Tokyo National Museum.

If you continue going straight, you'll run into the Ueno Zoo, which is inexpensive and worth seeing. By the zoo entrance is a small amusement park and a few food stalls. To the left is a Shrine with an impressive collection of stone and copper lanterns. Further to the left you'll find a couple more shrines which are both worth seeing.

If you continue to the left, you'll come to a flight of steps which leads down to a large pond, part of which is on the zoo grounds. You can rend a rowboat or paddle boat for a cruise around the pond. Sometime a few years ago it appears that someone released a pregnant snapping turtle into the pond, and shortly afterward people began spotting the offspring of this turtle. There used to be warning signs posted telling people not to get too close.

Ueno Park is crowded with homeless people, so don't be shocked when you see them. It's often hard to find an empty park bench or table that doesn't have a homeless person sleeping on it. Most of the homeless are friendly enough, and more than a few speak a little English.

The road between Ueno station and Ueno Park is Chuo-dori, which runs through the heart of Akihabara and crosses Nihonbashi, and then goes on through Ginza. The road behind Ueno Station is Asakusa-dori, which leads to Asakusa and eventually crosses the Sumida River.

The best train line to take to Ueno (there are many trains and subways that stop there) is the Yamanote line. Ueno is only 4 or so stops from Tokyo Station.

I would recommend renting a bicycle, there is a place (Orix, I believe) on Yaesu-dori close to Tokyo station (Yaesu Central Exit) where you can find bikes for rent. Most of the must-see places in Tokyo are within cycling distance from Tokyo Station. If you plan to get around on foot, be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

[boardhead]

Wow thank you so much!!!! VERY helpful. I hope someday I will have enough experience under my belt to help others as much as others are helping me.