Tokyo Accommodation: 3 Reasons to Book a Stay in Asakusa or Ueno
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Asakusa and Ueno are home to many famous destinations in Tokyo, including Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Skytree. In addition to easy airport accessibility and tasty cuisine, both districts have reasonably priced hotels and ryokans (Japanese-style inns) that welcome guests with warm hospitality.
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Tokyo, Japan
More than Art Museums and Tokyo Skytree!
Reasons to Book a Hotel Room in Asakusa and Ueno
Photo by Pixta
Tokyo is a popular destination for both leisure and business trips. However, with so many hotels and ryokans, it can be difficult to decide where to stay.
If you have trouble deciding, we recommend booking a stay in Asakusa or Ueno, two areas located in Tokyo's Taito Ward.
Upon mentioning Taito, famous destinations such as Sensoji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, art museums, and Yanesen—a working-class neighborhood with a friendly atmosphere—all come to mind. This area is also popular for hands-on experiences of Japanese culture such as rickshaw rides and kimono rentals.
This article introduces our recommended accommodations in Asakusa and Ueno along with three reasons to book an overnight stay here.
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First Reason: Great Access to Wherever You'd Like To Go!
Photo by Pixta
The first reason is that Asakusa and Ueno are easily accessible from the airport.
When departing from other regions nationwide, many travelers reach Tokyo by first arriving at Narita Airport via a low-cost carrier (LCC).
It takes about one hour to reach Asakusa from Narita Airport. From Terminal 2 Station, hop on board the Keisei Narita Limited Express (Keisei Narita Sky Access Line) to directly reach Asakusa without any transfers. Additionally, it only takes about 50 minutes aboard the Keisei Skyliner to reach Ueno from Narita Airport!
From Haneda Airport, you can reach Asakusa in just under 40 minutes without any transfers on the Keikyu Airport Limited Express departing Terminal 1 or 2 Station. If you transfer to the Yamanote Line at JR Shinagawa Station, you can reach Ueno in about 30 minutes!
Photo by Pixta
Asakusa and Ueno are also convenient locations when traveling to other areas in Tokyo.
For example, you can reach Shinjuku from Asakusa in less than 30 minutes with just one transfer on the Toei Subway Line. You can also get to Shinjuku from Asakusabashi Station and JR Ueno Station in about 20 to 30 minutes without any transfers.
Night view of Roppongi Hills. Photo by Pixta
It takes 20 to 30 minutes to reach the nightlife district of Roppongi or bustling Shibuya, and a mere ten minutes to arrive at Akihabara.
Second Reason: You Can Enjoy Various Types of Cuisine!
Whether traveling on a business or leisure trip, we usually look forward to sampling delicious food at popular local restaurants.
Both Asakusa and Ueno have dining facilities that will satisfy the needs of every customer. This includes people who'd like to drink sake, feel fashionable for the night, and even enjoy a dinner for one.
Photo by Pixta
For those looking to enjoy Japanese sake, we recommend Hoppy Street (Nikomi-dori). This lively street in Asakusa is home to many reasonably priced izakayas (Japanese-style pubs).
The street is lined with shops where you can enjoy hoppy—a sparkling alcoholic beverage enjoyed in working-class neighborhoods—and homey dishes such as rice with a stewed beef topping and offal stew.
Photo by Pixta
Near Asakusa Station, you'll find Kamiya Bar (Japanese). This establishment is actually Japan's very first bar founded in 1880! Customers can enjoy an original Asakusa cocktail called "Denkiburan" made with fine brandy.
Photo of Asakusa Onigiri Yadoroku from article Deep Asakusa - Exploring Behind Sensoji Temple
Tucked away in the area located north of Sensoji Temple is where you'll find some hidden treasures. Among these unique shops is the fashionable bistro Pétanque (Japanese), the soba shop Tansoan (Japanese), and Japan's oldest rice ball shop Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku.
Picture courtesy of Izakaya Mamezo
Taito Ward, which includes Asakusa and Ueno, is also home to several shops that appeared in the hit TV series Solitary Gourmet (Japanese). For example, there's Izakaya Mamezo (Japanese), offering tasty Japanese and western-style cuisine at a reasonable price, and Ajibo (Japanese), where visitors can savor lamb meat.
Why not pretend to be Yutaka Matsushige from Solitary Gourmet and enjoy some local eats? While dining solo and quietly conducting your own food critique at various shops, you'll be sure to create some unforgettable dining experiences!
Third Reason: Affordable Ryokans and Hotels with Amazing Hospitality!
As a town that flourished around Sensoji Temple, Asakusa is a sightseeing area that's been visited annually by countless worshippers since the Edo Period. Following the completion of Ueno Station in 1883, Ueno has also welcomed many travelers as an access hub for northeastern Japan.
With this historical background, present-day Asakusa and Ueno have many reasonably priced accommodations (sometimes less than 5,000 yen) with excellent hospitality.
Click Here for Hotels in Asakusa
Picture courtesy of Komatsu Ryokan
For example, Komatsu Ryokan near JR Ueno Station has received an average rating of 4.5 on Google Map's 5 point rating scale. This reasonably priced facility has a cozy, homelike atmosphere, and many reviews rave about the staff's superb service.
Click Here to Book a Room at Komatsu Ryokan (agoda)
Tokyo Asakusabashi Belmont Hotel also received an average rating of 4.5 on Rakuten Travel's 5 point rating scale.
From the hotel rooms, guests can view the yakatabune boats (*1). The warm hospitality of the front staff is another attractive feature here.
Book a Room at Tokyo Asakusabashi Belmont Hotel (Rakuten Travel)
*1 Yakatabune: leisure boats adorned with decorative lanterns serving food and beverages to passengers. They can often be spotted on rivers and waterways in the summer months during the festival season (see photo above).
Breakfast set called "Mother's Homemade Breakfast." Picture courtesy of Ueno First City Hotel
There are even hotels and ryokans known for their delicious homemade breakfasts. One of them is Ueno First City Hotel.
Ueno First City Hotel (official website)
There are plenty of other ryokans and hotels where guests can enjoy large baths and tasty Japanese-style cuisine at affordable rates. Be sure to check the accommodation's homepage for additional details.
Read also
Visit Locations Featured in Demon Slayer and See Tokyo Skytree at Night!
Yoshiwara Shrine. Photo by Pixta
There are still plenty of exciting spots to visit in Asakusa and Ueno. For example, Shin-Yoshiwara in Asakusa garnered attention for being featured in the TV animation series Demon Slayer (Japanese).
Although the red-light district no longer remains, Yoshiwara Shrine—which formerly attracted the faith of working women in the area—still stands today. It continues to be a sacred destination for many female worshippers.
For the perfect evening spot, we suggest heading to Tokyo Skytree. You can enjoy fashionable cocktails on the observation deck or stroll along the Tembo Galleria, where it feels like you're walking 450 meters above street level.
Afterward, you can relax in your nearby hotel or ryokan to make the perfect ending to a great day.
We hope you enjoy the charms that Asakusa and Ueno offer by booking an overnight stay!
Main image by Pixta
Sponsored by the Taito Ward Hotel and Ryokan Association
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Tokyo, Japan
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