Ueno Terminal Hotel

It worked well for me, especially since I smoke and was happy to have a smoking room. The staff were very nice and accommodating. The bathroom setup can feel small, but it’s fine for a short stay. A very budget-friendly hotel, with food options close by.

I only needed a place because I missed the last train and had to wait for the first one in the morning. For about the same price as a capsule, I got my own room, so it did the job. The room was small and functional, but there was dust in tucked-away corners and it could have been cleaner. The building also feels old. Fine for a night, but I wouldn’t choose it if I planned to spend much time in the room.

The location near Ueno Station is the best part, with access to routes for Narita Airport and Tokyo, plus the Shinkansen. I had a good stay. Check-in was quick because the staff could understand English, and I got to my room without any trouble. I was too tired to try the sushi in B1, so I grabbed a quick bite at the 7-11 right next to the hotel and went to sleep. I’ll try the sushi next time I’m here.

My favorite is room 701, with half Western-style and half Tatami and a great view of the Sky Tree. The hotel is family-run and has been for over 100 years, so it feels like a real piece of Tokyo tradition. It’s on a quiet street, and the unusual colored-brick pavement outside is another nice detail. Ueno Station and its big outdoor flea market, with blocks of little shops, restaurants, and bars, are just a three-minute walk away. With new corporate hotels opening nearby for the 2020 Olympics at more Western-style prices, UTH’s rates are still quite affordable. The staff are awesome and friendly. There’s a traditional Japanese restaurant in the basement where, as I understand it, the chef is the Master of the Master Chefs, an important distinction in Japanese culture. The beef is killer, and I’d try the Shabu Shabu. The sashimi is excellent too, and there’s a large selection of nohonchu (sake). Pronto coffee shop on the first floor is a chain, but the coffee and breakfast are excellent.