10 Best Things to Do in Ueno at Night
- Tokyo Localized
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
If you are coming to Tokyo, no matter what season, it’s hard to miss Ueno. Located in central Tokyo, this quintessential neighborhood is home to some of the most iconic landmarks, including museums and cherry blossom parks, as well as a food scene that does not go unnoticed.
Ueno boasts a good balance of culture and modernity, allowing tourists to experience the best Tokyo has to offer. For first visitors, Ueno might seem like a confusing world of its own. Don’t worry. In this guide, we highlighted the best things to do in Ueno, Tokyo at night.
1. Explore Ameyoko’s vibrant nightlife
One of the best nightlife scenes in Tokyo takes place on Ameyoko Alley. It’s a narrow alley packed with izakaya and tachinomiya, allowing guests to enjoy a night of booze the Japanese way. And of course, booze comes with food. So whichever way you turn, you surely have a stall to satisfy your cravings.
2. Do whisky tasting at standing bars
For whisky enthusiasts, whisky tasting is the way to go. There are many standing bars around Ueno; one of them is Standing Bar Pare, which boasts over 100 types of alcohol, including a great selection of Japanese whiskies, along with creative dishes that complement them. The multi-floor setup caters to different moods, from casual standing to more formal seating.
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3. Visit a canned food bar
Even if you are not a fan of canned goods, visiting canned food bars in Ueno is worth a try. These bars are known for their wide selection of canned goods, from common to rare, which you can pair with drinks. It's an unusual and fun experience, offering a glimpse into a niche Japanese bar culture. One of the most popular canned food bars in Ueno is Mr. Kanso.
4. Sing at karaoke bars
Karaoke—a classic Japanese nightlife activity. Many karaoke boxes are available in Ueno for a fun and energetic evening with friends, singing your favorite tunes. If you are visiting with friends or family, this is a must!
5. Evening walk at Ueno Park
Don’t feel like singing your heart out? Well, enjoy peace and quiet at night at Ueno Park. Although it’s not necessarily quiet during cherry blossom season as it gets really crowded, this iconic park offers a tranquil escape from Ueno’s hustle and bustle.
6. Watch cherry blossom illumination
If you are planning to come during the cherry blossom season, be sure to visit the parks. Ueno Park, in particular, especially around Shinobazu Pond, cherry blossom trees are illuminated at night, making for a magical experience.
7. Find goods at 24/7 discount stores
Tokyo is a city that never sleeps. In Ueno, you can find a bunch of discount stores to find some goodies to bring home. Whether it’s clothing or electronics or cosmetics or snacks, you will find them at places like Don Quijote. Not to mention, it’s not as congested as shopping in daytime.
8. Go shopping on Ameyoko
Can’t get enough of shopping? Ameyoko is not just for food and booze. Shopping is quite a big activity here, so make sure to go back to Ameyoko after partying and eating.
9. Taste the best of Japanese food through food tour
If you are a big foodie, joining a food tour is a no-brainer. Whether it’s exploring izakaya or going about the streets of Ueno, you can guarantee that a tour with locals can give you the best insider information into Tokyo’s best food scene.
10. Visit Hanazono Inari Shrine and Ueno Toshogu Shrine
To cap the night off, visit Hanazono Inari Shrine and Ueno Toshogu Shrine to see how pretty they are when lit up at night. Do note that’s it’s close at night, but the views will be worth it.
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