Roppongi

Many people classified Roppongi as an entertainment area that is specially loves by foreigners who live in Tokyo, but if you continue reading you will find out that this area has much more to offer then just clubs and bars.



Roppongi Museums
Roppongi Shopping
Roppongi Restaurants
Roppongi Hotels

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Ueno

When hearing of Ueno the first thing that comes up in your mind is Ueno Park, the home of many interesting museums and of Tokyo Zoo. Another thing that I think of is Ueno market and Americos area which are great places for shopping in this area.

Here is some information that I have for you about this area:
Ueno Museums
Ueno Hotels

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Asakusa - Where to go

Asakusa is known for her temples and shrines, souvenirs, shopping streets. This is not a museums place, but a place with old special atmosphere.

Here is a list of places you must visit in Asakusa:
Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street
Kitchenware Town
Sumida river and Sumida park

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Imperial Palace Area Hotels

This area has not a big hotels selection, so I picked 3 hotels that may suit your needs:
Sakura Hotel
The Marunouchi Hotel
Palace Hotel

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The Imperial Palace Area Museums

This area has quite a long list of museums to offer - mostly art museums, so if you in the area or you just like art check the post bellow for the recommended museums in the area:

The National Museum of Modern Art
Crafts Gallery
Science Museum
Yamatane Museum of Art
Bridgestone Museum of Art
Idemitsu Museum of Art

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The Imperial Palace Area - Where to go

If you are visiting Tokyo you The Imperial Palace Area is a must place to visit. It has to offer not only a view of Imperial Palace but buitiful Imperial Palace Gardens and many very interesting museums.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen
The Imperial Palace Grounds
The Imperial Palace Area Museums

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Idemitsu Museum of Art

9th Floor, Teigeki Bldg.,
3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Telephone: 03-5777-8600
5 minute walk from JR Yurakucho station
5 minute walk from Hibiya station (Mita, Hibiya or Chiyoda line) or from Yurakucho station (Yurakucho Line)

The main collection of the museum consists of Japanese paintings, oriental calligraphies, East Asia crafts and works of Georges Rouault. These collections are shown periodically theme by theme.
Opening Hours:
10:00 - 17:00 (Admission until 16:30),
Friday – till 19:00 (Admission until 18:30)
Closed: Mondays (open on holiday Mondays and close on the following days), December 29 – January 1, exhibition changing period.
Admission: Adults ¥1000
High School and Collage Students ¥700
Elementary school students free

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Bridgestone Museum of Art

1-10-1, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku,Tokyo
Telephone: 81(3)3563-0241
Fax: 81(3)3561-2130
Site: Bridgestone Museum of Art
If you come on JR – five minute walk from Tokyo Sta.(Yaesu Central Exit) If you use the Subway - Kyobashi Sta.(Meidi-ya Exit) or Nihonbashi Sta.(Takashimaya Exit)

The Bridgestone Museum of Art has exhibitions of Impressionism and other modern European art, as well as Japanese-Western Stile paintings from the Meiji, Showa and Taisho eras.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 - 20:00
Sunday, Holidays 10:00 - 18:00
Admission:
Adults ¥800
Students and Senior over 65 ¥600
Children under 15 and free

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Yamatane Museum of Art

KS Bld. 1F, 2 Sanbancho, Chyoda-ku
Telephone: 03-3239-5911
Fax: 03-3239-5913
12 minutes walk from Kudanshita station (Exit #2) – Hanzomon, Tozoi and Shinjuku Lines
10 minutes walk from Hanzomon station (Exit #5) - Hanzomon Line

The museum that was started in 1966 has a collection of modern and contemporary art. It has 1800 collections and opens 8 exhibitions a year.

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (open on holiday Mondays and close on the following days), December 29 – January 1, exhibition changing period.
Admission:
Adults ¥600
High School and Collage Students ¥500
Elementary school students free

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Science Museum

2-1, Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku , Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3212-2440
Fax: 03-3212-8540
Site: Science Museum


This museum is filled with exhibitions for young people, especially elementary school students. Many of the exhibitions are hands on, so that visitors can experience the wonders of science as close as possible, for example – learn what exactly electricity is, find out about planetary probes, scientific satellites, and astronauts and many more.
Here you can see daily shows featuring science experiments.
Opening Hours: 9:30 - 16:50 (Admission until 16:00)
Closed: December 29 - January 3 December 28 and January 4 are closed at 15:00 (Entrance until 14:00)
Admission:
Adults ¥600
High School Students ¥400
Elementary school students and children under 4 ¥250

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Crafts Gallery

1-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0091
8 minutes from Takebashi station (Subway Tozai Line),12 minutes from Kudanshita station (Subway Tozai and Hanzomon Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
Site: Crafts Gallery

Crafts Gallery collects and displays Japanese and foreign craft works dating from the Meiji period to the present day. The genres covered include textile, ceramics, glass, lacquer, wood, bamboo and metal work, dolls, industrial and graphic design.
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (Admission until 16:30),
Friday until 20:00 (Admission until 19:30)
Closed: Mondays (open on holiday Mondays and close on the following days), December 29 – January 1.
Admission:
Adults ¥200
College Students ¥70
High School Students ¥40
Children under 15 and Senior over 65 free
Free on May 18, November 3 and on the first Sunday of each month

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The National Museum of Modern Art

3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322
3 minutes from Takebashi station (Subway Tozai Line)
Site: The National Museum of Modern Art

The permanent exhibition consists of paintings, sculptures, prints, watercolors, drawings, photographs, and other works dating roughly from the beginning of the 20th century to the present and provides an overview of the history of modern art.
I recommend you to also visit the museum shop, there you can find very nice and cheap reprodactons (around 300 Yen) of some of the painings that displayed in the museum.
Opening Hours:
10:00 - 17:00 (Admission until 16:30),
Friday until 20:00 (Admission until 19:30)
Closed: Mondays (open on holiday Mondays and close on the following days), December 29 – January 1
Admission:
Adults ¥420
College Students ¥130
High School Students ¥70
Children under 15 and Senior over 65 free
Free on May 18, November 3 and on the first Sunday of each month

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The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen)

This is a beautiful Japanese style garden within the castle walls, in which you will find large lawns, a pond with gorgeous and huge fish, many cherry trees, which blossom you just must see if you are in Japan in March or early April.
The gardens are open from March to October 9:00 - 16:00 and from November to February 9:00-3:30. (You must enter the gardens at least half an hour before closing time)

The gardens are closed on the following days: Every Monday and Friday (open on National Holiday except the Emperor's Birthday, December23) From 28 December to 3 January

The visit in Imperial Palace East Gardens is free of charge and you can enter them from Ote-mon Gate, Hirakawa-mon Gate and Kitahanebashi-mon Gate.

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The Imperial Palace Grounds

To the palace itself you will not be able to see unless you apply to a free guided tour that the Imperial Palace Agency offers the public.
Imperial Palace Agency Site: Imperial Palace Agency

These tours are conducted from Monday to Friday, except for national holidays, 28 December to 4 January.
The tour takes 75 minutes and they are available from 10:00 to 13:30. The tours are in Japanese, and for foreign visitors, there is a brochure (English, Chinese and Korean) or Audio Guide in English.

Reservations for tour of the Imperial Palace must be made few days before the planned visit.
Take into consideration that every tourist spots are closing very early in Japan, and the tour application are accepted Monday to Friday, 08:45 to 16:30. You can make them by phone can be made by telephone: 03-3213-1111 (Ext. 485, 486) Imperial Palace Tour office, or by visiting this site http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/order/index_EN.html
After applying you must pick up the permission card at least 1 day in advance to the date of your visit.
Finally on you visit day you should enter the Palace through the Sakashitamon Gate with passport or another form of identification.

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The Imperial Palace Area

If you are visiting Tokyo it is a must place to visit, not only because of the historical aspect of this Imperial Palace itself but also for the beautiful Imperial Palace Gardens and for many very interesting museums that this area has to offer.

To the Imperial Palace area, you can get by taking the Tokyo Metro to Otemachi Station. on Mita, Chiyoda, Tozai, Hanzomon and Marunouchi Lines or Nijubashimae Station on Subway Chiyoda Line.


The Imperial Palace Area Map


More information on this area you will find in there posts:

The Imperial Palace Area Museums
The Imperial Palace Area - Where to go
Imperial Palace Area Hotels

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Sakura Hotel

2-21-4 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
Telephone: +81 (0) 3 3261 3939
Fax: +81 (0) 3 3264 2777
Email: info@sakura-hotel.co.jp
Site: http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/index.html

This is an very good option for those who don’t want to pay a small fortune for their stay in the hotels in this area. Of course it is much more modest hotel then the previous 2, but the price is much more modest also.
Sakura Hotel is a 2 minute walk from the A6 exit of Jimbocho Subway Station, a junction station of the Toei Mita, Toei Shinjuku and Hanzomon Subway Lines.
In this hotel you can find a single room for 7,140 Yen (per person including tax), double room for 8,200 Yen (for two persons including tax), twin room with a bunk bed for 8,400 Yen (for two persons including tax), and dormitory rooms that can suit backpackers or families for 3,780 Yen (per person including tax).
The down side of this hotel is that although all rooms are air conditioned, and equipped with a TV, telephone and Internet line, the restrooms, showers and wash basins are shared and located on each floor.

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The Marunouchi Hotel

1-6-3 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-0006
Telephone: 81-3-3217-1111
Fax: 81-3-3217-1115
Site: The Marunouchi Hotel

The hotel is located within walking distance of the Tokyo international forum/ exhibition center and the Imperial Palace, Ginza shopping area and theatres.
This central location can definitely explain the high price. The hotel is located next to Tokyo station, it may be a bit noisy but very comfortable for traveling out side of Tokyo. It is also 1 minute walk from Otemachi station that gives an easy access to all districts of Tokyo.
In the hotel you will find some restaurants and cafes.

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Palace Hotel

1-1-1 Marunouchi Tokyo 100-0005
Telephone: 81-3-3211-5211
Fax: 81-3-3211-6987
Site: http://www.palacehotel.co.jp/english/
This is a deluxe hotel, which is ideally located the center of Tokyo, near the Imperial Palace, and has every large room for a hotel in Japan, but the price is not a small one also.
If you come from the airport, it will take about 80 minutes and the limousine bus will stop directly at this hotel.
It is also a 2 minute walk from Otemachi station fo Tokyo Metro -easy access to all Tokyo, and 8 minute walk to Tokyo station from which you can travel all Japan by bullet train.
The hotel has a fitness center that the hotel guests can use free of charge, you just need to ask for a card key from the concierge.
It has also some restaurants, a bakery and a delicates shop in it, but he prices are a bit high (except the bakery), so I would recommend you probably to yet out.

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Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu

Address: 1-31-11 Asakusa
Telephone: 03-3843-2345
Fax: 03-3843-2348
This hotel has Japanese and Western type of rooms and it is located just a few minutes walk from Nakamise shopping street and the Senso-ji Temple.
This ryokan has something special to offer – Furo - authentic wooden made Japanese bath. Free internet service is available in the lobby, and in some of the rooms.

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Sakura Group Hotels Asakusa

If you want your accommodation to be a bit cheaper then the average hotel price in Tokyo you should look for the Sakura Group hotels or hostels.
They recently opened a new Sakura Hostel in Asakusa with over 160 beds.
You will find in this hostel 3 types of rooms (all air-conditioned): Dormitory - 2940 yen/bed (including tax) with bunk beds, 6-8 people in each room – good for large groups and backpackers. Twin room private 8,295 yen/room (including tax) – good for couples4 bed room private 11,760 yen/room (including tax) with bunk beds– good for small groups and families.

Address: 2-24-2 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
Telephone:03-3847-8111
Email: info@sakura-hostel.co.jp
Site: Sakura Group Hotels

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Sunroute Asakusa

Address: 1-8-5 Kaminarimon Daito-ku Tokyo 111-0034
Site: Sunroute Asakusa

Very good hotel for budget travelers and business people – has a free fax service in every room and a fresh newspaper in English is available in the first floor lobby. Located just few steps away from 2 temples/shrines.

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Chisan Inn Asakusa

Address: 1-4-17, Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0043
Telephone: 03-3843-0108
Fax: 03-3843-0109
Former Towa Akasuka Tokyo.
Although the rooms may seem a bit small, the service here is very good - free internet in your room + 2 computers in the lobby for your use, cable LCD TV, hot water pot for green tea, baggage handling service, and the rates are very affordable.

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Blue Wave Inn Asakusa

Address: 2-33-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku Tokyo 111-0032
Recently renovated in February 2005.
Good location in a quiet place near Asakusa Temple. 5 minutes walk to Ginza and Asakusa lines. In general – good quality with a reasonable price.

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Asakusa View Hotel

Address: 3-17-1 Nishi-Asakusa Taito-ku Tokyo 111-0035
Telephone: +81-3-3847-1111
Fax:+81-3-3842-2117
Site: Asakusa View Hotel
Featuring 337 guestrooms, 17 banquet halls, 9 restaurants (and bars) and a fitness center within its 28 floors. Has a very good location - walking distance - restaurants, shops, 24 hour supermarket, subway and railway station and the temples.

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Asakusa Hotels

Although Asakusa is a place there every tourist that comes to Tokyo must go, in order to experience the old Japan in the modern city of Tokyo, it doesn’t have many hotels to stay in. Here are some that I could find for you:

Blue Wave Inn Asakusa
Asakusa View Hotel
Chisan Inn Asakusa
Sunroute Asakusa
Sakura Group Hotels Asakusa
Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu

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Asakusa Events

January 1 - Hatsumode (first New Year's visit to shrines and temples).
Senso-ji Temple always attracts a large number of visitors on New Year's Day then any other temple or shrine in Japan.

February 3 - Setsubun signifies the first day of spring by lunar calendar.
It is custom to throw beans this day to drive away the evil spirits, so at the Senso-ji Temple there is a Bean Throwing Festival and a Dance of Fukuji.

February 8 - Hari-kuyo (memorial service for needles) Senso-ji Temple

Sunday before March 3 - The Edo Nagashi-bina (Floating Dolls in the Edo for the Girl's Festival) Azumabashi Bribge
It is a Japanese traditional event to wash away the spirit of misfortune and to wish for their children to avoid diseases and disasters by floating Nagashi-bina dolls on the river from the terrace of Sumida Park.

March 18 - Kinryu-no-mai (Golden dragon dance).
According to the legend, 1000 pine trees suddenly appeared overnight near the Senso-ji Temple on the 18th day of March. After three days, a golden 30 meters dragon measuring descended into the pine trees from the heavens and was never seen again. The Golden Dragon Dance is based on this story.

Late March - Cherry blossom Festival Sumida River

Second Sunday of April - Shirasagi-no-mae (White heron dance) Senso-ji Temple

Mid April - Yabusame (Horseback archery) Sumida Park
Follows the traditional style recreated with the cooperation of the head of the Ogasawara School of Archery and Horsemanship.

Mid April - Regatta between Waseda and Keio Universities - Sumida River

Late April - Kankon Kutsu Ichi (Shoe fair) – Tamahime-inari Shrine

Late April - Naki-zumo Taikai (Crying Baby Contest) - Senso-ji Temple

May 5 - Takara-no-mae dance (Treasure Dance, which celebrates the blessings and goodness of the Kannon) - Senso-ji Temple

Saturday and Sunday around May 17 - Sanja-matsuri Festival (Asakusa's Main Spring Event)
The Sanja Festival is famous for its spectacular procession of portable shrines. The portable shrines from parishioner organizations of Asakusa Shrine in each of the 44 neighborhoods gather at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the precincts of Sensoji Temple, giving Asakusa a festive atmosphere.

Late June - Ofujisan no Ueki Ichi (Potted Plant Fair) - Around Sengen Jinja Shrine
The Beginning of the Mountaineering Season of Mt.Fuji and The Plants Fair

July 7 - Shitamachi Tanabata Festival (Star Festival) – Kappabashi Hon-dori
According to a legend, the two stars, Vega and Altair, separated lovers, can meet each other across the Milky Way only once a year on the evening of July 7th.

July 9-10 - Hozuki Ichi (Chinese Lantern Plant Fair) - Sensoji Temple
It is said that the people who visit Kannon on these days can get divine protection equal to the people who visit the shrine 46000 times.

Last Saturday of July - Sumida River fireworks display
One of the major fireworks displays of Tokyo. Good spots for viewing the fireworks display are along the Sumida River which flows through the eastern part of Tokyo and empties into Tokyo Bay. But you must be there 2 hours before the show starts (it usually starts at 19:30-20:00), to catch a good viewing spot, because 500000 people come to see these fireworks.
August - Taito Takigi Noh (Open air torching noh performance) - Sensoji Temple

Last Saturday of August - The Asakusa Samba Carnival - Sensoji Temple
About 40 teams of approximately 1,500 samba dancers participate in the carnival and 400000 people come to watch.

Early October - Edo Portable Shrine Festival – Around Sensoji Temple
About 20 unique portable shrines (mikoshi) from both Tokyo and other regions gather to take part in this festival.

From October 15 to November 15 - Asakusa Chrysanthemum Exhibition – Senso-ji Temple

October 18 - Kinryu-no-mai (Golden Dragon Dance) – Senso-ji Temple
According to the legend, 1000 pine trees suddenly appeared overnight near the Senso-ji Temple on the 18th day of March. After three days, a golden 30 meters dragon measuring descended into the pine trees from the heavens and was never seen again. The Golden Dragon Dance is based on this story.

November 3 - Tokyo Jidai-matsuri (Tokyo Historical Parade) - Around Sensoji Temple

November 3 - Shirasagi-no-mai (White Heron Dance) - Senso-ji Temple

November 4 - Tori-no-ichi (Rooster Fair on the Day of the Rooster) – Otori-jinja Shrine

Late November - Kutsu-no Megumi Matsuri Ichi (Shoe fair) – Tamahime-inari Shrine

December 17-19 - Hagoita Ichi (Ornamental Battledore Fair) - Senso-ji Temple

Mid December - Hakidaore Ichi (Shoe fair) – Hanakawado park

December 31 - Bell ringing on New Year’s Eve - Senso-ji Temple and others

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Asakusa Shopping

Souvenirs – Asakusa is definitely the best place for buying Japanese souvenirs. Here you can find beautiful sets foe sake and tee, fans, chopsticks, swords, kimono and many more. The prices are chip to medium. A sake or tee set or fan may cost around 1000-1500 Yen, kimono price will defere depending on the fabric of you choice and swords will start at about 10000 Yen.

Japanese cookies – Nakamise street is a heaven for tourist how wants to try all the traditional sweets Japan has to offer. Here you can find many types of rice crackers and Japanese cookies, that are baked just in front of your eyes, but they are sold sometimes in 20 pieces package that may be a bit to much for those of you who want to taste it all, if that is the case you can find here is a set of cookies that contains many types of Japanese sweets, but these sets you can usually find in the supermarkets and for half of the price you will pay in Asakusa. I would recommend the freshly baked sweets – they taste better and they are much more special.

Cloths and Shoes – if you tern to the streets on the left site of Nakamise street you will find here many cloths and shoes shops with pretty good prices. But let me worn you if you have a 39 shoe size for women or 43 shoe size for men (7 US size for women and 9 US size for men) you will be probably disappointed.

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Sumida river and Sumida park

If you want to spend a day outside the Sumida park is a very nice place for it. It is very famous for the cherry blossom in the spring, but during other seasons you can enjoy it no less.
There is a bike rental service in the park – 200 Yen (for less than 24 hours), you must show your passport before renting.
In the park there is also a boat terminal from whitch you can take a boat cruise on the Sumida river and to see the side of Tokyo you have never seen. The water bus is leaving every 30 minutes, from 10:00 till 17:00 and the price is starting from 720 Yen (depends where you want to get off).
For more details check the Sumida River line on this site Tokyo Water Cruise

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Kitchenware Town

If you are into kitchen accessories you must visit the “Kitchenware Town”.

This is name of Kappabashi Dougugai-dori, a unique one kilometer street where you can find all sort of equipment and utensils, both modern and traditional. So if you didn’t find that special china you wanted in the shops on Nakamise street you will definitely find it here.
Don’t miss the life like plastic food shop – it is a must to see place.

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Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise shopping street

Asakusa is known for the Senso-ji Temple – Japan oldest Buddhist Temple and the 5 store pagoda that is standing next to it. According to the legend 2 fishermen discovered an image of Kannon (Buddhist goddess of mercy) in the Sumida river in 628, and built a worship hall to worship the image. 20 years later a Buddhist priest built a Kannon temple on the spot.

The entrance to the temple area is throw the “Kaminarimon” gate which is a symbol of Asakusa.


As you go throw the gate you enter the best place to buy souvenirs in Tokyo – the Nakamise shopping street. Here you can find everything:
Japanese cookies (with different fillings such as vanilla cream or beans) – a must to taste.
China and ceramics – gorgeous sake and tea sets.
Fans and kimono
Swords
And many other things.

Note: Althought Japan is a safe country there are crowded areas in which you should keep an eye on you wallet, and Nakamise street is one of them.

In the end of Nakamise street located the Senso-ji Temple and you will see the 5 store pagoda on the right. The pagoda stands 53.32 meters tall, the second highest in Japan after the 56-meter high pagoda of Toji Temple in Kyoto.


If you go around the main hall of Senso-ji Temple you will see the Asakusa Shrine and if you are lucky as I was you may even see a Japanese traditional wedding.

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Asakusa

Asakusa is known for her temples and shrines, souvenirs, shopping streets and that special old world charm atmosphere that always make you want to return there.There are few option to explore Asakusa:

1. You can get there using the Ginza line (station number G19) or the Asakusa line (station number A18), and continue by foot.

Asakusa Map

First you should go to the local tourist information center at 2-1809 Kaminarinom. It is easily spoted because of the nusical clock above the main entrance. Dolls of dancers and figures carrying a golden dragon appear every hour from 10:00 to 19:00.

2. If you have a Japanese friend with you, you can take a guided tour around Asakusa by a rickshaw - it will cost you 5000 yen for one person/ 8000 yen for a couple for a 30 minutes tour. You can find this service just outside the tourist information center, but it’s in Japanese only.

3. Guided tours:
The Tokyo Metropolitan Area SGG Club – this is a Systematized Goodwill Guide offer tourists from overseas free local tours guided in English and other languages.
The service is free as the guides are volunteers.
Contact for more details: 03-38425566

Many companies include the main Asakusa attraction into their morning or evening tour of Tokyo. This 4 hour tour will cost about 5,500 Yen for adult and 3,300 for a child. This is a good option if your stay in Tokyo is short, and you want to see as much as possible. Another plus of this program is that you can be peaked up directly from your hotel.
Here are some links to the companies offering there tours:
City Discovery
JTB Sunrise tours
(I used the JTP for one of my tours and the service was very good).

More information on this area you will find in there posts:
Asakusa - Where to go
Asakusa Shopping
Asakusa Events
Asakusa Hotels

Read More …

Ueno Hotels

Ueno is definitely the place where you can find a dissent hotel at a very good price, here is a selection of some of them:

Ueno Terminal Hotel
Hotel New Ueno
Astil Hotel
Villa Fontaine

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Ueno Hotels - Ueno Terminal Hotel

2-21-11 Higashi Ueno, Taitouku
Telephone: 03-3831-1110
Site: Ueno Terminal Hotel
Single room starting from 9500 Yen (you can get a discount if you reserve room on line). Very commutable hotel for businessmen, because it has a wireless internet it all the hotel area, and although the check out is at 10:00 the hotel can keep your luggage till your flight. In the hotel you will find a restaurant and a bar.

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Ueno Hotels - Hotel New Ueno

7-2-5 Ueno, Taito-ku
Telephone:+81-3-3841-3221
Site: Hotel New Ueno
E-mail: mail@newueno.jp
The location of this hotel is very good for travelers – it is located 1 minute walk from Ueno JR station (Yamanode Line) and about 3 minutes walk from Ueno station (Ginza and Hibiya lines). This is also a business hotel with reasonable prices – a single room rate starts from 9000 Yen.

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Ueno Hotels - Astil Hotel

7-7-1 Ueno Taito-ku Tokyo
Telephone: 81-3-5806-1200

This hotel also has a good location - just two minutes walk from Asakusa Exit of JR Ueno Station. It is the modern petit hotel in European style, with maybe a bit smaller rooms than you are used to, but this is Japan. The hotel is close to Ueno and Asakusa attractions which is a big plus for travelers. The hotel has a restaurant, but each room also equipped with a refrigerator, so you can buy groceries in a convenient store.

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Ueno Hotels - Villa Fontaine

Ueno2-4-4 Kojima, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Telephone:?+81 (0)3-5833-5550
Site: Villa Fontaine
The location of this hotel is grate for travelers: Shin-Okachimachi Station (Oedo Line) 4 minutes on foot from Exit A2, Naka-Okachimachi Station (Hibiya Line) 6 minutes on foot from Exit 1, Okachimachi Station (JR Line) 8 minutes on foot from the North Exit (Kita-guchi).
The prices here start at about 8000 Yen for a single room, and every room has a free internet and a fridge (good for budget travelers).

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Shitamachi Museum

2-1 Ueno Koen, Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: 03-3823-7451

Time hold still in this downtown from Meiji era.The two main displays are a merchant’s house and a tenements of a copper-smith and a cheap sweets dealer, with all their furnishings. In this museum you can take your shoes off and step up into the rooms, and just for few moments experience the life like it was in those days.

Opening Hours: 9:30 - 16:30
Closed: Mondays and December 28 - January 3
(If national holiday falls on Monday, the museum is open on the holiday and is closed the next day, Tuesday)
Admission:
Adult: 300 Yen
High/ Junior high/Elementary school students: 100 Yen

Access: 5 minutes from Ueno JR Station
5 minutes from Ueno Station on Ginza or Hibiya Metro Line
5 minutes from Keisei Ueno Station on Keisei Line

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Tokyo National Museum

13-9 Ueno Park,Taito-ku, Tokyo,110-8712, Japan
Telephone: +81-3-3822-1111
Site: Tokyo National Museum

National MuseumThis is a MUST place to visit in Tokyo. It is the oldest and the largest art and history museum in Japan. The museum has few buildings:Honkan – Japanese Gallery: Displays the high lights in Japanese art by exhibiting Japanese ceramics, sculptures, swards and samurai armors.From the windows of this gallery you can see the National Museum gardens and teahouses, but this area is open for public just for one month during the cherry blossom.National Museum gardens Toyokan – Asian Gallery: Dedicated to antiquities of Asia, including China, Korea, South Asia, India, the Middle East and EgyptThe Gallery of Horyuji Treasures: The Horyuji Treasures consist of over 300 valuable objects, mainly from the 7th - 8th century.


Opening Hours:
9:30 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
On Fridays during some special exhibitions (check with the museum), the museum is open until 20:00 (Last admission at 19:30).
Saturdays, Sundays and bank Holidays from April to September, the museum is open until 18:00 (Last admission at 17:30).

Closed: Mondays and December 28 - January 1 (If national holiday falls on Monday, the museum is open on the holiday and is closed the next day, Tuesday)
Admission:
Adult: 420 Yen, 600 Yen from October 1, 2006
College students: 130 Yen, 400 Yen from October 1, 2006
High/ Junior high/Elementary school students: Free
Access: 10 minutes from Ueno or Uguisudani JR Station 15 minutes from Ueno Station on Ginza or Hibiya Metro Line
15 minutes from Nezu Station on Chiyoda Metro Line 15 minutes from Keisei Ueno Station on Keisei Line

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The National Museum of Western Art

7-7 Ueno-koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3828-5131
Site: The National Museum of Western Art

The museum was established in 1959 and it displays pre-18th century paintings, including those by Ritzos, Van Cleve, Veronese, Rubens, Van Ruysdael and Ribera, 19th to early 20th century French paintings, including works by Delacroix, Courbet, Manet, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Moreau, and also works by the next generation of artists, such as Marquet, Picasso, Soutin, Ernst, Miro, Dubuffet and Pollock.In the museum shop you can buy very cheap reprodactions of the paintings you just saw.

Opening Hours:
9:00 - 17:00 (Last admissions: 16:30)
Friday 9:00 - 20:00 (Last admissions: 19:30)
Closed: Mondays and December 28 - January 1 (If national holiday falls on Monday, the museum is open on the holiday and is closed the next day, Tuesday)
Admission:
Adult: 420 Yen
College students: 130 Yen
High school students: 70 Yen
Junior high school students or younger and those over 65: Free

Free admission: Second and the fourth Saturdays of each month, and November 3.(For Museum Collection only)
Access: 5 minutes walk from Koen Exit (Park Exit) - JR Ueno Station
10 minutes walk from Ueno Station - Ginza and Hibiya Lines
10 minutes walk from Ueno Station - Keisei Line

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