The Best Hotels in Ueno, Tokyo

The rooms are on the simple side – crisp white sheets, exposed blonde woods – but given there’s so much to do in this thriving corner of Tokyo, you’ll hardly be spending time in them anyway. When you do return, you can look forward to friendly service, films on demand and a selection of free bath salts, teas and face masks to make your in-room time extra relaxing. You’re right next to Ueno-Hirokoji station, so whenever you fancy exploring further afield the city is at your fingertips.

Overlooking Shinobazu, Ueno Park’s elegant pond with boat rentals and nesting turtles, Hotel Coco is blessed with a small onsen-style bath area – as well as a stone sauna – so you can get a feel for traditional Japanese spas while in Tokyo. Rooms, furnished in dark woods, dramatic colours and rich fabrics, have an indulgent feel and if you’re staying in Ueno a while, the coin-operated laundry comes in handy.

An airy lobby, furnished with greenery and a long central wooden table, forms the heart of this modern hotel southeast of Ueno station. By morning it operates a coffee bar and coworking space; by evening it transforms into a dining area and nightcap zone. Art-flecked public spaces and bedrooms give each corner of this sophisticated spot a unique character, while a restaurant – sourcing products from neighbourhood shops – features French-inspired dishes such as roasted rack of lamb or strawberry parfait.

One of the major perks of Japanese hotels are the spa facilities and Centurion Hotel and Spa Ueno Station is home to some of the best in the neighbourhood. The public onsen features wood-panelled sento baths and a relaxing area with massage chairs. The hotel’s interior mixes contemporary Japanese decor in the rooms with traditional touches elsewhere. Positioned just a five-minute walk from Ueno Station and Ameyoko markets and with a view of Ueno Park, it’s a perfect fusion.

Visitors choose Mimaru Tokyo Ueno North for its prime location. The property is situated just a 25-minute walk from Asakusa’s iconic Sensō-ji and all of Ueno’s most famous attractions. The decor is a mixture of modern design and traditional aesthetics, which combine to create a space that has one foot in the past and the other in the future. Mimaru is an apartment hotel complex, which means you can have both the privacy and independence of apartment living with the ease of hotel service, which is great for larger groups and families.

Candeo Hotels Uenokoen, next to Ueno Park, is a hotel designed for those who want to live a luxury life on a budget. The hotel has an on-site restaurant serving up a buffet breakfast every day, but the location is so central you’ll hardly have time to linger. As it’s five minutes from Ueno Park by foot, three minutes from JR Uguisudani Train Station and one stop away from Ueno Station, it’s a perfect place to set up a home base while getting out and exploring the sights.

Hotel Comfact is one of the newest players on the Ueno hotel scene, having opened in 2018. With its striking modern design, stylish interior and excellent facilities, you can tell it wanted to make a splash. Admire the neighbourhood below from the floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows while trying to keep a lookout for Tokyo Skytree, which is just 3km (1.8 mi) away. The hotel also has a sun-drenched Skylounge, so you can let the day melt away as you enjoy the long, warm Tokyo afternoons admiring the city skyline.

Sometimes all you want from your accommodation is someplace that’s accessible, comfortable and reliable; Hotel APA Hotel Keisei Ueno-Ekimae is this kind of place. Not sacrificing convenience for style, this hotel offers all the creature comforts you need as well as an on-site restaurant and well-designed rooms. The property sits next to Ueno Station, Ameyoko and the sprawling Ueno Park.

Ueno is one of Tokyo’s most artistic neighbourhoods and Hotel Graphy Nezu is a hotel embodiment of the area’s new creative take on things. Design-wise, the spaces are modern and stylish but with a fun retro ambience. The hotel is great for solo travellers, as it has an open communal kitchen, cafe, fitness space and a lounge ideal for meeting like-minded friends. It also offers bike rentals at the front desk so you can get out and explore this fascinating area like a local.

Hanare is the epitome of Ueno and neighbouring Yanaka’s charm – a place where tradition and modern ideologies come together to create something extraordinary. Located in the old-world town of Yanaka, next door to Ueno, this minimalistic guest house-hotel lies in a classic renovated Japanese home. Hanare has private tatami mat-style rooms, futon bedding, a communal lounge area and offers vegetarian-friendly breakfast options. A 25-minute walk from Ueno Station and Ueno Park, it’s a little farther out of the neighbourhood, but well worth the journey.