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Between Ueno Station and Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line, there used to be a subway station on the Keisei Main Line named Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen Station (try saying that five times fast). Located about 900 meters north of Ueno Station on the edge of Ueno Park, within a short distance of Ueno Zoo and the area’s many museums and art galleries, the station stopped operating in 1997 and was officially closed in April 2004.
It’s been over 21 years since it was open. However, this building will be open to the public for viewing from Nov 23 to February 24, 2019. You can check it out between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The best part: It’s free.
You can purchase a commemorative train ticket and a clear file for 500 yen inside.
The former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen Station was officially recognized by the city of Tokyo as a historic building in April 2018. Before being opened to the public, the station was refurbished a bit to give it a good cleaning while still retaining its Showa-era charm. Its entrance was given a fresh makeover by designer Katsuhiko Hibino.
You’ll be able to see the station’s nostalgic ticket counters, staircases, domed ceiling, train tracks, and even some writing left on the walls. The wooden ticket gates will also take you back in time. As a bonus to those of you can read Japanese, you can also read part of a novel on the station’s walls that was written by performer Hitsujiya Shirotama.
Station Information
Former Hakubutsukan-dobutsuen Station / 旧博物館動物園駅
Address: Tokyo-to, Taito-ku, Uenokoen 13-23
東京都台東区上野公園13-23
Open: 11 a.m.-4 p.m on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Nov 23 - Feb 24, 2019)
Sources: Esuteru, Danro
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- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2018/11/16/abandoned-subway-station-in-tokyo-open-to-the-public-for-a-limited-time/
13 Comments
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Maria
Is 'clear file'actually English, then? Sometimes I pause and wonder whether the katakana words we use in everyday Japanese make sense when moved back into English.
And if anyone can explain 'shitajiki' in less than three words I'll be grateful.
Meanwhile, this subway station looks like a mausoleum. I wonder if they're planning to knock it down soon?
talaraedokko
It’s cool. I like the idea that it itself would become a hakubutsukan. I’m not a tecchan but i do enjoy seeing science and history and how this evolved.
UlsterBoy
Tokyo's underground Culture.... quite literally.
zones2surf
Used that station a number of times before it closed.
Definitely want to go check it out. Would be a little nostalgic!!
Do the hustle
Yeah, I agree, I think it would be good to open it up permanently as a kind of ‘hakubutsukan’ although, it’s the kind of place you would only visit once.
rainyday
It looks cool, though I am a but confused about why this is a temporary opening, what are they going to do with it after February?
englisc aspyrgend
Looks an attractive building.
Akie
englisc aspyrgend, I am sure you have never seen an attractive building before.
Diego3
Looks like a Masonic lodge....
Ex_Res
I think that it is beautiful. There are so few of buildings left in Tokyo with any character.
nandakandamanda
Maria, what they give you must be a transparent folder (file) with a commemorative illustration printed on it. (Not a celluloid underlay, undersheet, something to press on.)
joyridingonthetitanic
Love that Showa era charm! In the ultra modern world of glass and steel, this is a nice little reminder of a simpler more delicate time! Great idea!