11:00

The first place to visit is the National Museum of Nature and Science, which serves as the comprehensive national science museum. Look for the life-sized model of a blue whale that extends over 30 meters in length. The museum is divided into two buildings, the “Global Gallery” and the “Japan Gallery.” Sites to see in the “Global Gallery” include the Dinosaur floor where you can find an exhibit of a life-sized skeletal specimen of the triceratops, which is said to be the best preserved in the world, and the third floor that features numerous stuffed specimens including an impressive array of mammals, including Fei Fei and Tong Tong, father and daughter giant pandas, which once resided in Ueno Zoo. At the Tree of Life on the first floor, you can see at a glance the entire range of the diverse and varied animals that exist on the earth today, from single celled organisms to humans.

Moving on to the Japan Gallery, you will find a stuffed specimen of the dog Hachiko, well known from the famous bronze sculpture found in Shibuya. In this gallery, you can learn of the natural history of the Japanese islands and Japan’s natural environment. As we learn about the evolution of life, we will realize the simple fact that we humans are also a part of it.

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National Museum of Nature and Science

13:00

The next place to visit is Ueno Zoo. First opened in 1882, Ueno Zoo is the oldest in Japan, and today it is still the most popular with the greatest number of annual visitors. Here you can meet the diverse and varied animals of the world, including giant pandas, the western gorilla, the Galapagos giant tortoise, the stork-like shoebill, and the aye-aye lemur. You can travel to the western side of the garden where you will find the Children’s Zoo in which children can interact with such animals as sheep, goats, and rabbits. And don’t worry, adults are also allowed to participate of course.

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Ueno Zoo

15:00

Exiting the Ueno Zoo, you will find the Shinobazu boat pond beyond the Benten Temple. Here you will find roughly ten different types of aquatic birds living in the pond. You can observe their lives up close if you take a ride in one of the available boats. From close proximity, you can observe them swimming smoothly along the water surface, or taking a nap in the shadow of the reeds. Here you will find such birds as the tufted duck, the black-headed gull, and the mallard. You can also enjoy bird watching at Ueno Park if you remember to bring a small pair of binoculars with you.

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16:30

On your way home, why not take a break at the Ueno Green Salon cafe near Ueno Station. Here you can enjoy animal-themed menu choices to finish up your animal themed day. Popular choices include the Panda Cafe Latte that features a panda face drawn in cocoa powder, and the Panda Curry that includes rice depicting a panda. Relax and enjoy the numerous panda themed displays in the cafe.

Also, if you are looking for animal-themed gifts, we recommend the Parks Ueno shop right near the Ueno Park exit of Ueno Station. Here you can find the classic treat known as “Gorilla Boogers,” which upon eating, you will find is actually made from candied beans, and is the perfect thing to close out this animal tourist course.

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