4turtles

I will be in Japan for a week in September. Flying in/out of Osaka. I will do 2 nights in Tokyo with the rest of the time spent in the Kyoto area. I am interested in finding an area to stay that will give me a good taste of Tokyo in that short time frame.

I am a single female who likes to walk and soak in the scene. I am not looking for "nightlife" beyond a good meal and wandering the streets. I am not looking for luxury accommodations but not interested in a hostel either. What area would give me a good Tokyo experience and be convenient for getting around? I appreciate any and all neighborhood and specific hotel suggestions. I am currently reading all of the previous threads on this topic.

Additionally, does it make sense for me to purchase the Japan rail pass if I am planning on the trip to Tokyo from Osaka or Kyoto as well as travelling to Nara and Hiroshima from Kyoto?

Thanks for any advice/insight you can provide. I will continue my research...

Mara

A 7 day JR Pass at 28,300 yen would work very well if you do a round trip from Osaka to Tokyo which is about 28,000 yen and a round trip from Kyoto/Osaka to Hiroshima which is about 20,000 yen.

DonTopaz

Ueno sounds like it would be an ideal neighborhood for you. Lots of interesting places to walk around in the immediate vicinity (Ueno Park, Ameyoko shopping street/market) and several others nearby (Sensoji temple in Asakusa, Akihabara, Nippori/Yanaka). A very good and reasonably-priced place to stay is the Mitsui Garden hotel -- on top of a subway station and across the street from the JR station.

kalihiwai2

I haven't stayed there but have this place bookmarked to try next time in Tokyo.
Annex Katsutaro in Yanaka, a great area for walking that we enjoyed on our last trip to Tokyo.
Being close to Nippori Station ( Yamanote line) and Sendagai Station (Chiyoda Line) transport is fairly easy

Mara

I have stayed twice at the Annex Katsutaro and highly recommend it - fyi, it is Japanese style with a futon on the floor for sleeping....

But for only two nights in Tokyo I probably would not stay there. I would prefer to be closer to the station I would be using to travel in and out of Tokyo - for example, Toyoko Inn Shinagawa and you can use the Shinagawa Station which is easier than Tokyo station to maneuver. It depends on how light you travel. ;-)

crellston

We stayed at Andon Ryokan, a small simple place in Ueno. Loved the hotel and the district. Loads to see in and around Ueno and well located for getting to other parts of the city. More info on our blog
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...2880/tpod.html

4turtles

Thank you all for your input. I will investigate the hotel suggestions and will probably have another question or two before my trip.

If anyone needs any advice on Korea, I can hopefully return the favor!