Ueno: A City of Culture and History
Ueno Onshi Park is rich in historical and cultural spots, including the National Museum of Western Art, the Ueno Royal Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, which exhibits ukiyoe prints, swords, and other Oriental art, the Ueno Zoo, the oldest zoo in Japan, which is popular among families, and Ueno Toshogu Shrine, which is dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa. Ueno Onshi Park is filled with spots where visitors can experience history and culture. The Ueno Ameyoko shopping street, which originated as a black market after World War II and is still popularly known as Ameyoko. Hotel New Tohoku is located in a corner of Ueno, where you can experience a variety of culture and history.
Entrance with a simple and modern Japanese atmosphere
Quiet rest away from the hustle and bustle of Ueno
People ask me if I am from Tohoku because of the name “Hotel New Tohoku,” but I have nothing to do with it,” laughs owner Hayashi. Hotel New Tohoku is located a five-minute walk from Ueno Station, in a different section of Tokyo from the bustling areas of Ueno Onshi Park and Ameyoko. One of the reasons why “Hotel New Tohoku” is loved by customers is that it is a quiet area with small restaurants with an old-fashioned atmosphere, where you can spend your time in peace and quiet.
Incidentally, the “Tohoku” in “Hotel New Tohoku” comes from the fact that Ueno Station is a Shinkansen departure and arrival station. In the old days, Ueno was often used as a lodging place for people coming from Tohoku to Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen, and that is why the word “Tohoku” was incorporated into the hotel’s name.
Old-fashioned room key
Putting “cleanliness of the rooms” first.
The interior of the hotel, which was renovated in 2020, is not large by any means, but the staff is very attentive to the guests’ needs for a pleasant stay. The bed linens are neatly arranged, and the room clothes are neatly folded. We are happy to see that every room has a desk for working and an electric kettle. In addition, all of the 30 guest rooms are spacious, making it easy to spread out suitcases. This is a great point of appreciation for tourists with large suitcases.
Currently, the inn is run by the family of the owner, Mr. Hayashi, and three staff members, including a night shift member. His wife loves to chat and can often be seen talking with guests at the front desk. A staff member who has studied abroad and speaks fluent English. A foreign staff member who enjoys taking the initiative in decorating the hotel. All the staff we met were cheerful and caring. Many guests who have stayed at New Tohoku have said, “The staff was friendly and helpful!”
After leaving the hotel and walking for a little while, I turned around and saw Mr. Hayashi waving at me with a smile that I could tell from a distance, and I couldn’t help but give him a big wave back. The kindness of the staff who saw us off in front of the hotel until we were out of sight. I left for home with a warm feeling, thinking that this was the main reason why New Tohoku is loved so much.
