Art & Gourmet Tour! The Best Museums and Restaurants in Ueno Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Ueno

Art & Gourmet Tour! The Best Museums and Restaurants in Ueno

Ueno Park is a popular tourist spot filled with culture-related facilities like museums, art galleries, and concert venues. Here is a useful guide on the most recommended museums and where to eat after visiting them.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Ueno.

The National Museum of Western Art

This museum was originally created to display a collection of Western paintings and sculptures belonging to Kojiro Matsukata, a famous Japanese businessman of the early 20th century. Other than a permanent exhibition of his large collection of Western paintings from the Renaissance era to the 20th century, the museum also hosts special exhibitions three times a year consisting mainly of artworks borrowed from museums abroad. Because it offers the opportunity to see artworks from Western Old Masters (painters active before the 18th century), this is considered as one of the most prominent museums in the entire country. Designed by Le Corbusier, the building is a World Heritage Site.

The National Museum of Western Art

Open: [Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday] 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
[Friday, Saturday] 9:30 am - 8:00 pm
*Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time
Closed: Monday (if it's a national holiday, it closes the next day instead), Beginning and end of the year (December 28 - January 1)
*May also open or close without prior notice
Average price: [Permanent Exhibition] Adults: 500 JPY, University students: 250 JPY
[Special Exhibition] Varies according to the exhibition
Address: 7-7, Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: Official Website

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Established in 1926 as Japan's first public museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum offers several activities aiming to serve as "an entrance to the world of art" for everyone. In addition to major exhibitions of renowned works by Japanese and foreign artists, as well as public exhibits managed by fine art organizations, the museum also holds lectures, various genres of workshops and events dedicated to families and kids, so it doesn't limit itself just to show art, but it also uses it as a form of communication to entertain both adults and children.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Open: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
Closed: 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (if it falls on a national holiday, it closes the next day instead)
Average price: [Admission Fee] Varies according to the exhibition
Address: 8-36, Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: Official Website

The Ueno Royal Museum

The Ueno Royal Museum is a private art museum located at a corner of Ueno Park. Ever since its opening in 1972, it's been displaying various genres of artworks, including several Important Cultural Properties of Japan. There is no permanent exhibition, only temporary exhibits from foreign collections or museums, self-organized modern art exhibitions, and public exhibitions of emerging artists. At the museum shop, they stock high-quality original merchandise that appeals to a large audience.

The Ueno Royal Museum

Open: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed: Irregular (varies according to the exhibition)
Average price: [Admission Fee] Varies according to the exhibition
Address: 1-2, Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: Official Website

Recommended restaurants around the area

Now that you know which art museums to visit, check out the following restaurants in the surrounding area!

1. Yoshi Sushi Ueno branch (Sushi)

Every morning, the head chef of this restaurant heads to the fish market to buy seasonal and fresh seafood, which he then serves to your table for a bargain price. The [Sashimi Assortment], with its beautifully arranged seasonal fish, and the [Premium Sushi] that uses luxurious top-class fish as toppings, are so voluminous and filling! The assortment ranges from the standard toppings to seasonal ingredients, so you'll always get to savor the most delicious fish available. It's even conveniently located, being only 2 minutes away on foot from Ueno Station!

Yoshi Sushi Ueno branch

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday] 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 2 minutes walk from the central ticket gate of [Ueno Station]. After exiting from the Hirokoji exit, cross the crosswalk, turn right, and go straight along the road on the left side of [Marui]
Address: 6-7-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

2. Italian and Bar, Aqua uenokoen-mae Branch (Italian Cuisine)

6. Italian and Bar, Aqua uenokoen-mae Branch (Italian Cuisine)

This casual Italian restaurant is right next to Ueno Park. On their varied menu, you'll find [Rotisserie Chicken] (2,680 JPY), cooked in a special oven; authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas (from 780 JPY), meticulously baked one by one; and side dishes that go very well with wine (450 JPY). The large interiors are divided into a standing area, a seating space, and private rooms, so whether you're up for a few drinks or prefer to stretch your legs, this restaurant will be able to meet your needs.

Italian and Bar, Aqua uenokoen-mae Branch

Open: 11:00 am - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:30)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,980 JPY
Access: 30 seconds-walking from Keisei Ueno station. After the exit, go up the step in indoor passage. Cross the zebra crossing and turn to left. Located on the Front Bldg. 1F.
Address: 1F, 2-14-30 Ueno , Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

3. Cocktail Works Ueno (Gastropub)

This cocktail bar allows you to savor original Italian dishes together with domestic craft beers or cocktails made by carefully matching spirits with fresh, seasonal fruit and herbs. The stylish interior, characterized by a vintage design that combines wood and iron, looks quite out of the ordinary. Order one of their countless types of cocktails and enjoy the show of the bartender skillfully preparing it before your eyes.

Cocktail Works Ueno

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 3:00 am
[Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Closed: Irregular, Beginning and end of the year
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Address: 1F, 6-7-15, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
Source: hitosara (Japanese)

4. Caudalie (French Cuisine)

Located in a back alley near Ueno Park, this tiny French restaurant feels like the perfect hideaway from the daily grind. They pour a lot of time and effort into cooking the ingredients so as to fully enhance their original taste and aroma, and the result is always a surprisingly light dish with an intense, long-lasting flavor. You can pair yours with one of the numerous wines available on their menu. If you want to enjoy a nice meal with artworks still lingering in your mind, this place is highly recommended.

Caudalie

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - (L.O. 1:30 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - (L.O. 8:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 10,000 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: In a residential area behind Totenko, a Chinese restaurant
Address: 1F, Takase Bldg., 1-6-19, Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

5. Sha Tom Yum Kung Pochana (Thai Cuisine / Vietnamese Cuisine)

9. Sha Tom Yum Kung Pochana (Thai Cuisine / Vietnamese Cuisine)

At this popular Thai restaurant, you'll get to appreciate the skills of a Thai chef who trained at a hotel in Thailand. The interiors are decorated with traditional Thai ornaments imported all the way from Thailand, and the atmosphere is homey and clean. If you're the health-conscious type, you'll be happy to find lots of healthy dishes made with plenty of vegetables, such as the [Raw Spring Roll Salad] (1,200 JPY) and the [Glass Noodles Salad] (1,300 JPY). All the servings are pretty voluminous, so it's recommended to order a few different dishes and share them with everyone. If you're concerned about the food being too spicy, don't worry - you can choose the level of spiciness to suit you.

Sha Tom Yum Kung Pochana

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, Day Before Holidays, Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm)
[Tuesday - Saturday, Day Before Holidays, Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00)
[Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A one-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (exit from the Central Ticket Gate or Shinobazu Exit).
Address: 3F DB Ueno II, 6-16-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

6. Sakanoue (Creative Japanese Cuisine)

10. Sakanoue (Creative Japanese Cuisine)

At this creative Japanese restaurant, you will discover the perfect harmony between fresh seafood and sake (Japanese alcohol), of which several brands and types are stocked from all parts of Japan. Depending on the time of the year, the cooking methods - sashimi, seared, simmered, and so on - for their seafood changes to create the most delicious dish possible. They also have a menu with a plethora of dishes that are all prepared to bring the umami (Japanese savory taste) of each ingredient to its peak. As a plus, they all go great with sake. Make sure you order the [Rare Maguro Cutlet] (799 JPY plus tax) - you won't be able to believe that it's not meat! The contrast between the crispiness of the surface and the juiciness inside tastes so good, you'll get addicted to it.

Sakanoue

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Address: 3F, Gomi Bldg., 6-8-4, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)

7. Kurofune-tei (Western-style Japanese Cuisine)

11. Kurofune-tei (Western-style Japanese Cuisine)

Right next to Ueno Park, there is a well-established restaurant founded in 1902 that serves yoshoku (a type of Japanese cuisine inspired by Western recipes). The sunlight shining through the large windows makes the interior bright, creating an ideal space to enjoy a relaxing meal. Since it opened, the restaurant has never stopped serving beautifully arranged "dishes to accompany rice", which consist mostly of French recipes revisited and fused with Japanese food culture. Their most popular specialty is [Hayashi Rice] (1,700 JPY plus tax), served with a demi-glace sauce made from several ingredients stewed together for over a week and finely strained. The melty texture and deep lingering flavor of this delicacy is truly irresistible.

Kurofune-tei

Open: 11:30 am - 10:45 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Address: 4F, Kikuya Bldg., 2-13-13, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details

There are many more charming art museums and delicious restaurants than what this article has listed. Take a look for yourself and discover your favorites!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.