Lonely Planet Review

Though it's a bit of a walk (12 to 15 minutes) from Ueno Park, this is the best budget-range business hotel in Ueno. The sweetest part of the deal is that the traditional Japanese rooms are, unusually, the same price as the plain Western-style rooms.

This humble business hotel is a sweet deal if you're on a budget but want to stay in a Japanese-style tatami room. Unlike at most hotels, the tatami rooms are the same price as the Western rooms. And unlike most ryokan (inn), the tatami rooms have their own attached bathrooms. Rooms of both types are fairly simple, but they are functional, clean and cosy, and new tatami was recently installed in the Japanese-style quarters. The hotel is low-scale and has windows that open - what a refreshingly old-fashioned concept! Outside those windows are views of the surrounding neighbourhood and trees, adding to the relaxed feel of the place. Internet access is available, as are nonsmoking rooms, and there's a small restaurant where you can take breakfast before venturing out of the neighbourhood.