Nikko, Ueno hotels

The home of the lovely Ueno Park and plentiful cultural sights, Ueno is one of the best areas of Tokyo for visiting tourists to base themselves. These attractions combine with easy access. Keisei-Ueno Station is the end of the line for trains from Narita Airport. Ueno Station is a few hundred metres away and has trains to Ginza and other major Tokyo locations.

Ueno Park is an amazing place and the site of the National Museum of Western Art, the Nature and Science Museum, the Tokyo City Art Museum and the Ueno Royal Museum. The Western Art Museum covers 500 years of art and houses masterpieces by the likes of Rubens, Monet, Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock. The Science Museum traces Japanese history from pre-historic times with numerous interesting exhibits.

KiyomizuKannon-do Temple is at the south end of the park and dates from the 17th century. Its red walls and sweeping roof protect a statue of the goddess KosodateKannon. Legend has it that giving a doll to Kosodate will help women get pregnant. A walkway across the nearby Shinobazu Lake gives access to the Benten-do Temple.

Ueno Zoo is the other key tourism draw in the park. More than 2,000 animals call the zoo home. These includered and giant pandas, Barbary sheep and gorillas. Highlights in the bird section are owls and eagles. The zoo stands on the grounds of the former Kanei-ji Temple. The temple’s five-floor pagoda has been preserved. Ueno Park has a sizable collection of sakura cherry blossom trees and these are a wonderful sight every spring.

The bulk of the bar and dining options in this part of Tokyo are between UenoStation and the park. Diners can choose anything from special eel dishes and ramen noodles to tonkatsu pork and juicy US burgers. There are a couple of pubs on the station themed on British and Irish ones. Innsyouteiin the Park offersa premium dining experience.

Ameya-YokochoMarket is a Ueno shopping highlight and is home to around 200 stalls. The collection of products covers second-hand clothing, watches, bags, fresh seafood and sweets. There are outlets of brand-names such as Crocs and Diesel Jeans in this area plus a Yodobashi appliance and IT product store.