The Annex Katsutaro is easy to reach by subway but out of the main stream of Tokyo tourist life. The neighborhood is sprinkled with traditional craft shops and stores that cater to both foreign and Japanese visitors. Breakfast is extra at the Annex but a fast Japanese breakfast place is just two blocks away and lets you dive into the quick and delicious world of on-the-go sit-down breakfasts. A pleasant 20-30 minute walk to Ueno Park winds through numerous sprawling cemeteries and shrines.

I'm not sure how first time visitors would think, but I've been to Tokyo several times and always stayed very near to the Ueno Station. This time I decided to stay a bit off - it's a few stops away from Ueno via the Yamanote line plus another ten minutes walk. But the location was really quaint. It's near to the Yanaka Ginza which is a shopping street with quaint shops and restaurants. You can also walk from here towards the Ueno Park, passing by old streets, cemeteries that are home to some famous characters including Shoguns, and old temples. You can also take the Megurin bus which has a stop a few metres from the hotel to get around the area including Ueno Station and the Tokyo National Museum. Only 100 yen per trip, or 300 yen per day. The old man manning the counter speaks some English and will pump you with maps and information of the area and teach you what to do if you come back late and the front door is locked.