Ueno Zoo will be presenting a series of events related to the Chinese zodiac and New Year's, titled "Strange Monkeys and Mysterious Monkeys," to convey the enigmatic charm of monkeys, the animal of the Chinese zodiac for 2016.
At our park, you can encounter 18 different species of monkeys from all over the world. The back of the "Strange Monkeys and Mysterious Monkeys" leaflet (limited number available) distributed in the park is a guide map that allows you to visit all 18 species of monkeys. If you observe the monkeys with the leaflet in hand, you're sure to witness their unexpected personalities that you might have overlooked, and your curiosity will be piqued.
In addition, as special events, we will be holding our annual "New Year's Event" (January 2nd and 3rd), and a special exhibition about the Chinese zodiac, "Japanese Macaque Macaque Exciting Watching" (until January 17th), which will reveal the true nature of the little-known Japanese Macaque.
The Year of the Monkey isn't complete without seeing a monkey. Please come and visit us!

"The Strange Monkey and the Mysterious Monkey" leaflet

surface	Back side

1. New Year's Events

To express our gratitude to everyone for your continued support, we will be holding our annual New Year's event. After your first shrine visit of 2016, please come and visit us at Saru-mode!

　Dates: January 2nd (Sat) and January 3rd (Sun), 2016

*The park will open at the usual time of 9:30, but may open earlier depending on the crowd situation.

director and animals will welcome you.

director and the animals of Ueno Zoo will welcome visitors. (*In case of rain, only the animal welcome will be canceled.)

　Time 9:30-10:00
　Location: East Garden Main Gate Plaza

Examples of animals that welcome visitors

Alpaca	Ural Owl

A gift of rice crackers featuring the Chinese zodiac.

We'll be giving away rice crackers featuring the Chinese zodiac animal. While supplies last (first 500 people each day).

　Time 9:30~
　Location: Next to East Garden Gneral Information Center

A commemorative photo with director and someone in Japanese Macaque costume.

To commemorate the New Year, please take a commemorative photo with director, who will be dressed in traditional Japanese attire. Please bring your camera.

　Time: 10:00-10:30 *Cancelled in case of rain
　Location: In front of Five-storied Pagoda East Garden

Ueno Hayashi Preservation Society: Lion Dance Parade through the park

The Ueno Hayashi Preservation Society will be parading with a lion dance. Please enjoy this traditional performing art of Ueno.

　Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM *Cancelled in case of rain
　Location East Garden-en to West Garden various locations

Ueno Hayashi Preservation Society performs "Lion Dance" on stage.

This is a stage performance of the lion dance by the Ueno Hayashi Preservation Society.

　Time: 12:00-12:30 *Cancelled in case of rain
　Location: West Garden Zoo Stage


Ueno Hayashi Preservation Society "Lion Dance"

Let's create our own original ema (votive tablet)!

Create your own unique ema (votive tablet) by stamping it with an original zodiac animal stamp from Ueno Zoo (first 200 people each day).

　Time: 14:30-15:30 *Cancelled in case of rain
　Location: In front of Five-storied Pagoda East Garden

Animal fortune slips

Customers who order a meal will receive one "Animal Fortune Slip" per receipt (first 500 customers each day at each store). A "Zodiac Candy" will also be included as a bonus.

　Location East Garden Shokudo, West Garden Shokudo

Limited edition! Zodiac pin badge gift

​The first 2,000 customers each day who purchase items at the following gift shops will receive a limited-edition zodiac pin badge.

　Location: East Garden Little Trunk
East Garden Birdsong
West Garden Petit Chameleon


Zodiac pin badge (image)

◎In addition to the above...
* We will be feeding the animals periodically as part of our "New Year's Gift for the Animals" event!
* The first 2,500 visitors each day will receive a disposable hand warmer! (Location: Main Gate, Ikenohata Gate)

2. Special exhibition on the Chinese zodiac: "Japanese Macaque macaques excitedly watching"

In Japan, when you think of monkeys, you think of Japanese Macaque. Recently, they seem to be gaining popularity among foreigners as well. But how much do you really know about Japanese Macaque? To answer this question, Ueno Zoo conducted a surprise survey! In this exhibition, we will reveal the results of this survey and delve into the true nature of Japanese Macaque that you thought you knew but didn't. It will surely change the way you observe Japanese Macaque!


period December 15, 2015 (Tuesday) - January 17, 2016 (Sunday)

place Covered exhibition space next to the monkey enclosure East Garden

Content
We conducted a survey about Japanese Macaque with 120 Japanese customers of all ages and 120 foreign customers of diverse nationalities. Based on the results, we will explore the true nature of Japanese Macaque.

● Survey 1: "We asked our Japanese customers!"
(Question 1) What comes to mind when you hear the term "Japanese Macaque"?
(Question 2) What do you like about Japanese Macaque?
(Question 3) Are you familiar with the term "monkey damage"?

●Survey 2: "We asked our foreign customers!"
(Question 1) What comes to mind when you hear the word "monkey"?
(Question 2) Are you familiar with Japanese Macaque?
(Question 3) What comes to mind when you hear the term "Japanese Macaque"?



[Annual Crested Ibis Announcement]
From January 2nd (Saturday) to January 31st (Sunday), 2016, customers presenting their annual pass at shops and restaurants in Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums (including ours) will receive a 5% discount on their purchases. (Some items are excluded.)

・ Here are the New Year's events at Tama Zoo
・ Here are the New Year's events at Tokyo Sea Life Park
・ Here are the New Year's events at Inokashira Park Zoo

(November 26, 2015)