Home to the famous Senso-ji Temple and one of Tokyo’s most popular cherry-viewing destinations, Taitō is a sprawling district north-east of the capital. Its bustling street markets, picturesque green spaces and historic wooden houses contrast with the soaring skyscrapers of modern Tokyo.
Things to do in Taitō
Visit Senso-ji, which dates back to 645 AD and is one of Tokyo’s oldest temples. Enter through the Kaminarimon “Thunder Gate” and wander along the Nakamise shopping street, then admire the elaborate five-story pagoda of its Main Hall.
Want to learn about Japan’s sake-making tradition? Visit the centuries-old sake store at the Shitamachi Museum Annex. It now houses a small collection of old sake barrels and liquor-making equipment, as well as exhibits on the culture of the Shitamachi area of Edo-era Tokyo.
No visit to Taitō is complete without a stroll through Ueno Park, home to the Tokyo National Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and the National Science Museum. It’s also one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing destinations in Tokyo, with locals coming to picnic beneath the blooms during late March and early April.
Also located within Ueno Park is the 19th-century Ueno Zoo, which stands as Japan’s oldest zoological park. It’s particularly famed for its resident pandas, first gifted from China in 1972.
Getting around Taitō
Ueno Station is the main transport hub in Taitō, with connections along Tokyo’s subway and train lines. Asakusa Station is situated a short walk from Senso-ji Temple, while the sights of Ueno Park are best explored on foot.