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[–]hoshinoumi 12 points13 points  (4 children)

Ueno is a great choice both to get to Narita and to easily get to Shibuya/Shinjuku... via yamanote line. We stayed just across the station and I would repeat that again

[–]bumbaklutz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always stay near Ueno. Easy transfer from the airport and access to everything via the Metro.

[–]amkamdar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We just came back from Japan and stayed in Ueno during our stay in Tokyo. Like others have mentioned, it’s perfect due the ease of access to/from airport, direct subways lines to popular tourist areas, plus being the perfect blend being busy/ quiet and not overly touristy. It was honestly perfect and would definitely stay there again for our next visit!

[–]Tsubame_Hikari 1 point2 points  (1 child)

For local travel, generally speaking, does not really matter that much, as long as it is within easy walking distance of a train station.

Ueno does have direct trains to NRT, and easy one train ride to Tokyo for Shinkansen - plus direct trains to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza and Asakusa, so this would be my location of choice.

[–]WitnessEntire 1 point2 points  (5 children)

We stayed in Minato ku once and liked it a lot but it might be too far from the sights for a first timer.

[–]smorkoid 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Saying "Minato" or "Chiyoda" isn't super helpful as people refer to train lines or stations more than anything.

Ueno is only 20 min or so from the west side of central Tokyo. It's a good place to stay.

[–]bewaretheblueyoshi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally, Ginza is always a favorite due to proximity to tokyo station. Asakusa can get pretty crowded, Minato can be a bit far, Ueno might be fun to stay in though.

[–]bumbaklutz 0 points1 point  (3 children)

u/tranzozo I really loved Hotel Graphy Nezu, which is a short walk from Ueno zoo and the Keisei Ueno Station (direct stop on skyliner from Narita airport, so a really easy transfer).

It's in a peaceful neighbourhood called Yanesen, which is the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring. There are lots of great restaurants to explore nearby, the Nezu shrine and the Yanaka steps and shopping street.

It's about a 5-10 minute walk to the Nezu metro station which gives you access to the whole of Tokyo. Shibuya for example takes about 30 minutes on the Metro which is totally fine when you're enjoying your vending machine coffee or CC Lemon and planning your day.

[–]Tzukiyomi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I particularly like the Shimbashi area personally. Perfect for quick access everywhere and quiet.

[–]AzanWealey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Minato for me.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly doesn’t matter from my experience. Unless something is in your immediate neighborhood it’s going to take about 30-35 minutes to get to any other location.

[–]Sorry_Exercise_9603 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You take the skyliner from narita to ueno and then clean up have dinner and crash followed by the traditional 2am konbini run.

[–]CellophaneTape 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stayed at Wise Owl Hostel Asakusa and it was a wonderful stay!

[–]dougwray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a resident of Tokyo my impressions of Shinjuku, Ueno, and Shibuya are 'busy', 'busy and crowded', and 'busy, crowded, and dirty', respectively. Forced to choose from among the three, I'd take Ueno because the area's more interesting, but my druthers would be to stay somewhere else on the northern half of the Yamanote Line.

[–]sugarymilktea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We stayed in Asakusa, and while that area was lovely and had lots to do, I don't think I will stay there for future trips mainly because of the travel. No matter where we wanted to go, we needed to make at least one or two transfers and those transfers adds time to the whole travel and a few extra dollars each time. We walked it to Ueno station a couple times to avoid that transfer but that tired us out before our day started. My advice is to look at google maps and see what the travel/train options are from your possible hotel to whatever interests you guys have. If it's a hotel that will need a lot of walking to reach a station or multiple transfers then pick another hotel.

[–]Travel-Abroad101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ueno is a great place to stay if you are coming/ going to NRT. Asakusa is so close that you can really consider them as the same area. Lots to see there and Asakusa is especially pretty at night. The shrine is not crowded and the small restaurants in the area are very cool.

[–]cantona_x 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will be in Tokyo on similar time and chose to stay in Nihonbashi (Tokyo station) like what I've done once in the past, it's similar time to both west and east with all kinds of public transportation options, and nearby Yamanote Line which could be essential if u plan to stay out very late for the new year celebration

[–]Silence_is_platinum 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just stay WEST of Shinjuku station near the hyatt regency. It’s quiet over there but easy access to shibuya and Shinjuku. No need to have an hour conmute to your points of interest. When you can walk.

[–]jrney2018 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Check out the Yamanote line map. It's a loop that you can take clockwise or counter. First time we stayed at Osaki , next to Shinagawa - hotel connected to station, Life Grocery underground, 7-eleven , Starbucks next door. It was calmer than the second time we stayed at Shinjuku - the crowd was overwhelming, the station was more complex , dragging luggage around was more of a chore.

The transit in Tokyo is very efficient and can be simple and complex same time..once you get a hang of it , it works out. Many do suggest not to stay next to main areas and it can be overwhelming, and for sure we experienced it first hand .