Ueno Area: Where Samurai Fell and Japan Rose
About This Tour
Explore Ueno through the dramatic story of Japan’s transition from samurai rule to a modern nation. On this walking tour, your guide brings the area’s history t...
Duration: 4 Hours · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Not included · Transport: Not included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Kagoshima, Tokyo · Languages: English
About Kagoshima
Kagoshima
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What's Included
- English-speaking guide
- Traditional Japanese sweets and green tea
Not Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Gratuities
Itinerary
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1Day 01
Tokugawa clan mausoleum We will stroll to Ueno Park from the meet-up point. The walk will be 15 to 20 minutes. While we will see the mausoleum of the 4th shogun on our way to Ueno Park, the guide will prime you with knowledge about samurai and their ruling during the last shogunate. Former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall Built as early as 1890, this facility is Japan’s first Western-style concert hall and a key landmark in the country’s adoption of Western music. This hall represents part of the country’s drive to adopt the Western products of culture right after the collapse of the last shogunate. Black Gate – Residence of a feudal lord Feudal lords used to have a residence in Edo, the former Tokyo. We will see a gate belonging to the residence of one of the powerful lords during the Edo period. Not only marvel at the grandeur of the gate but learn from your guide how the shogunate maintained its grip over the lords. 【Black Gate – Kanei-ji Temple】 During the Battle of Ueno, the gate was struck by heavy gunfire as the imperial forces fought the Shogunate loyalists. Even today, the gate bears bullet and cannonball marks, making it one of the few surviving structures in Tokyo that still physically shows battle damage from the civil war that ended the shogunate. Learn from the guide about the last days of the Shogunate. 【Grand Fountain】 Located in the middle of Ueno Park, the fountain area is the central gathering spot. Have a nice bird’s eye view of the entire park there. Learn from the guide the overall layout of the park. 【Dr. Bauduin’s statue】 As a Dutch military doctor invited by the Shogunate in the 1860s, he played a significant role in creating Ueno Park. In some sense, he contributed to enhancing Japan’s standing in soft power. Learn how from your guide. 【General Grant’s Monument】 Grant and his wife visited Japan right after completing his U.S. presidency in 1879. Japan welcomed them warmly and held a ceremony to plant commemorative trees, which symbolized U.S.–Japan friendship. Learn from your guide how the U.S. and Japan nurtured a friendship after the American fleet led by Commodore Perry forced Japan to open up. 【Great Stone Torii】 This gigantic torii gate, built in the early 17th century, is the grand entrance to the shrine, dedicated to the founder of the last shogunate. Learn from your guide how Shinto and Buddhism are different and why the two religions coexisted peacefully in Japan for over a millennium. 【Tōshō-gū Shrine】 Dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the last shogunate, the shrine was built with the support of influential feudal lords and later expanded, reflecting the Tokugawa shogunate’s prestige. Experience Edo-period history, architecture, and atmosphere without leaving central Tokyo. 【Teahouse】 We will take a rest at the teahouse with over 100 years of history to enjoy traditional Japanese sweets. 【Great Buddha of Ueno】 Built in early 17th century, the copper statue lost its torso and now has only the face. Learn from the guide the interesting story about when and where the “body” has gone. 【Kiyomizu Kannondo temple】 Built in the same timing as Great Buddha of Ueno, this temple was popular among the common people of Edo and has also been the subject of wood block prints. See how the view is depicted in the prints. 【Graves of the Shogunate loyalists 】 The site commemorates the warriors who fought and died resisting the new imperial government’s forces. The battle marked the end of the samurai rule in Japan. 【Statue of Saigō Takamori】 Saigō was one of the few figures who played a central role to overthrow the shogunate. After serving in the new government, he became disillusioned with its policies and retired to Kagoshima, his hometown. Ironically, there, he led the last and largest of the samurai rebellions against the new government.
Meeting Point
Meeting point: Taito City, JP · Tour start: Taito City, JP — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
