In Taito, near Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park
Transport links are great -- a five-minute walk to Ueno Station
Rooms have LCD televisions, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms
Large family rooms include bunk beds
Set-menu Japanese breakfast (for a fee)
Coin-operated laundry room
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Features are limited -- no full-service restaurant
Irons must be rented
The 55-room, two-and-a-half-pearl Ueno Touganeya Hotel offers a clean and modern base for travelers wanting easy access to Tokyo’s main cultural attractions. The five-minute walk to Ueno Station -- as well as the 10-minute stroll to the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park -- is a major selling point. Rooms are small, but relatively fresh, with free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Some have bunk beds, making them ideal for families. There’s a small restaurant that serves a Japanese set-menu breakfast (for a fee). Laundry and vending machines are available, but features are otherwise slim. Travelers looking for a more business-friendly hotel in the Taito area could compare rates with the Residential Hotel B: Conte Asakusa instead.
Scene
Small and central hotel with a pleasantly modern style
The Ueno Touganeya is located on a quiet side street, making it a tranquil home base in this busy city. The hotel has a fresher style than other two-and-a-half-pearl lodgings in Tokyo, with accents like orange-and-gold wallpaper, koi details, and neutral color schemes. The Ueno Touganeya suits a range of travelers looking for simple digs in the heart of Tokyo’s cultural district. The central location is the hotel’s greatest selling point, and guests are likely to spend most of their time exploring the local area, rather than in the hotel itself.
Location
In Taito, a five-minute walk to Ueno Station, near the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park
This budget hotel in busy Taito is conveniently located near a five-minute walk from a main transport hub, Ueno Station. Taito is well-known for its museums and art galleries, meaning this hotel is ideal base for exploring nearby cultural attractions. It's a 10- to 15-minute walk to many of the most well-known museums, including the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science. In fact, the museums are within Ueno Park, which is a popular destination for viewing the cherry blossoms in the spring. Sensoji Temple, in the historic Asakusa neighborhood, is only three stops away on the Ginza Line, which leaves from Ueno Station. The popular Ginza neighborhood is only 15 minutes away by train, while Shinjuku -- a major stop on the tourist circuit -- is a 25-minute train ride away. It will take about 30 minutes by subway to reach bustling Shibuya, and 40 minutes to reach Harajuku. Haneda Airport is a 30-minute taxi ride away, or 45 minutes by train. Narita Airport can be reached in 90 minutes by train or cab.
Rooms
Fresh, modern rooms with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, though some are tiny
Overall, the rooms here have a fresh and bright appeal, though keep in mind that this is Tokyo and some will be quite compact (entry-level rooms start at 12 square meters, or 129 square feet). Decor includes attractive patterned wallpaper, bright soft furnishings, and clean-lined wooden furniture. The fresh white bedding and carefully folded pajamas give the rooms a cozy look. Standard amenities include small LCD televisions, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, safes, phones, and alarm clocks. Many rooms also add electric kettles and tea. There's ample hanging space, extra wooden hangers, and a folded luggage stand for suitcases. Irons and trouser presses must be rented from the hotel reception. Family Rooms are the largest options, and include a double bed and bunk beds. A leather couch, coffee table, and additional hanging space are included. Some rooms also have small private balconies. All rooms have modern en-suite bathrooms with white Japanese-style toilets, small circular sinks, and shower/tub combos. Hairdryers, towels, and toiletries are provided.
Features
Breakfast restaurant and laundry room, but little else
This two-and-a-half-pearl hotel has a small selection of facilities, though that's fairly typical in this category in central Tokyo. The small restaurant serves a Japanese set-menu breakfast of six different plates including steamed rice and hot baked fish (for a fee). A cup of coffee is also included. Computers, a pay phone, and a range of travel guides are available in the lobby. The hotel has a self-service laundry room, and a couple of vending machines. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.