Ueno

Stay

Ueno is a quiet and relaxed part of Tokyo compared to busier areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Roppongi. It is an excellent area to stay in if you enjoy visiting museums, the big Ueno Park & Zoo, and getting a feel of the old Tokyo in the neighborhood of Yanaka lined with old wooden houses.

The hotels are generally cheaper in Ueno than in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Roppongi. You can find some good deals on mid-range hotels here.

Ueno Station

JR Ueno Station, located just east of Ueno Park, is one of the major railway stations in Tokyo and has an excellent connection to the other areas of Tokyo. It is on the convenient JR Yamanote Line (Tokyo Loop Line) with a direct link to Tokyo Station.

You can take the northbound Shinkansen trains from Ueno Station on day trips to places north of Tokyo, like Nikko, Matsumoto, and Nagano.

Ueno Park

A big part of Ueno is the lovely Ueno Park (Ueno-Koen), which has been one of Tokyo`s top attractions ever since the Edo period.

The park houses several temples, shrines, historic buildings, and museums. There is also the Ueno Zoo (with the pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin) and a lovely pond (the Shinobazu Pond) where you can paddle on swan-shaped boats.

During weekends, you can enjoy the park’s acrobats, performers, and food vendors. You can also buy some takeaway food and head to Ueno Park for a picnic.

Ueno Park was Japan`s first public park, established in 1873, but it is much older than that. Structures date as far back as the 17th century. The park houses several replicas of shrines and temples from around Japan. The whole idea of the park was that Tokyoites could “see” the entire country in this park. It is like a pre-Disney-World where the people of Tokyo could “experience” the whole country without leaving Tokyo, as traveling was heavily restricted during the Edo period.

Tokyo National Museum

If you plan on visiting only one museum in Japan, you should choose the Tokyo National Museum.

It is spectacular, with the world’s largest Japanese art and history exhibition. Everything has an English description. Here you can see cool samurai swords and armor, beautiful kimonos, ancient pottery, sculptures of all kinds, colorful masks, ukiyo-e (antique woodblocks used in prints), and much more.

Yanaka Neighborhood

To the north of Ueno Park is Yanaka, a beautiful little area with more than a hundred temples that were relocated from all around Tokyo during the urban restructuring.

Miraculously, Yanaka survived both the devastating earthquake of 1923, the firebombing of World War II, and the modernization process of the postwar years. Yanaka neighborhood is well worth a visit. Going for a stroll through the streets of Yanaka feels quite magical and is like stepping back in time.

Where To Stay In Ueno

Nohga Hotel Ueno 
We had a fantastic few days at Nogha Hotel and wish we could have stayed longer. This cozy boutique hotel is centrally located in Ueno, next to JR Ueno Station (a 4-minute walk), and offers a lot for the money.

Our room was a Standard Twin, surprisingly spacious at 26 sqm, with modern and fresh decor. The beds were very comfortable, slightly firm like many Japanese beds, and had super comfy pillows. There was also a small seating group with two chairs and a table, a large flat-screen TV, a minibar, and an electric kettle. The bathroom had a nice layout,  split into a bathtub/ shower room and a separate toilet.

Some nice extra touches included a pair of pajamas and a free guidebook (and map) of Ueno, filled with local tips on what to see, do, and eat. Super handy!

The ground-floor lobby is very cozy and welcoming. This is also where you’ll find the hotel restaurant and where they serve breakfast. We were blown away by the breakfast! It was easily one of the best we’ve ever had at a mid-range hotel in Japan. It’s served ala carte from a set menu, and there is also a small buffet with fruits, cereal, bread, and jam. We tried both the Eggs Benedict and the pancakes with egg and bacon. Super tasty!

Mimaru Tokyo Ueno East – Apartments
A 4-star modern, comfortable apartment hotel. Each apartment has a private bathroom, air-con, a flatscreen TV, a small kitchen with a microwave, and a dining table. There is also a laundry room on the first floor, which is very convenient. The hotel has an excellent and quiet location on the other side of the road from JR Ueno Station, close to two big shopping malls.

There are multiple 7/11 and Family Marts nearby. The rooftop terrace is excellent for relaxing and enjoying the city and park views. The apartments can house up to four people. However, some rooms are a bit noisy due to the nearby railway.

ICI HOTEL Ueno Shin Okachimachi by RELIEF 
This modern 3-star hotel has small but clean, bright, and comfortable rooms in a great location. It is within walking distance of both JR Ueno Station and Okachimachi Subway Station. Around the corner, you’ll find several convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart).

You can also easily walk to Ueno Park (15 min), and the nearby Ameyoko shopping area has plenty of shops and restaurants. The hotel is located on a quiet street. It is excellent value for the money!