ICI HOTEL Ueno Shin-Okachimachi
by the TopOfHotel team
ICI HOTEL is a 3-star that punches above its price — clean, modern, and a short walk from Shin-Okachimachi station, scoring 8.6.
ICI HOTEL is a 3-star that punches above its price — clean, modern, and a short walk from Shin-Okachimachi station, scoring 8.6.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Standard Double runs about 14 sqm — a standard Tokyo size — with a snug semi-double bed and crisp white linens. The bathroom is a prefab unit bath with a Toto heated-seat toilet, and hot water comes through fast even for a late shower. There is a work desk with room for a laptop and a canned coffee, a fridge, a kettle, a Panasonic hairdryer, and round-pin outlets that take a standard adapter straight away. Rooms read clean and modern, looking newer than a sub-$54 rate would have you expect.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is an optional buffet at ¥1,200 (about $8) per person, served as a small set on the ground floor — rice, grilled fish, rolled omelette, salad, bread with peanut butter, and Japanese yogurt, with drip coffee and fresh orange juice. It is fine for a 3-star, but if you are not rushing out, reviews suggest crossing to the small Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku branch or grabbing a morning set from the 24-hour Lawson under the building. Wi-Fi tested around 80 Mbps, quick enough to edit photos off a camera without lag.
Location and getting there
The real strength is the Shin-Okachimachi location, a 3-minute walk via exit A1. The Toei Oedo line runs straight to Shinjuku in 20 minutes, or walk 6 minutes to JR Okachimachi for the Yamanote loop. Ameyoko market, with its cheap takoyaki and sashimi, is about 8 minutes on foot, and Ueno Park and the zoo sit roughly 1.2 km away. Akihabara is just 2 stations off — easy for a late return.
Things to know before booking
Rooms are standard city-hotel size, so the 14 sqm Double feels tight if you like to spread out. The area around Ueno station is busy and crowded, so light sleepers should request a higher floor. And rooms fill quickly in high season — book ahead rather than chancing a walk-in.
Our take
For a 4-to-5-night Tokyo trip where you would rather not move hotels, ICI HOTEL Ueno Shin-Okachimachi covers the bases — two subway and JR lines within a short walk, Ameyoko and Ueno Park nearby, clean chain-standard rooms, and a starting rate around $54 that is light for the area. We'd point couples, solo travelers, and business travelers here for comfort without fuss. The 8.6 guest score reflects it honestly.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Strong value for a Tokyo 3-star — rooms start around $54 a night and look newer than the price suggests, with location and value scoring 9.0 and 8.8 in guest reviews.
- A 3-minute walk to Shin-Okachimachi station puts the Toei Oedo line at your door, running straight to Shinjuku in 20 minutes; JR Okachimachi for the Yamanote loop is another 6 minutes on foot.
- About 8 minutes to Ameyoko market for cheap takoyaki and sashimi, with Ueno Park and the zoo roughly 1.2 km away and Akihabara just 2 stations off.
- Wi-Fi tested around 80 Mbps, fast enough to edit photos straight off a camera without lag, plus a fridge, kettle, and Panasonic hairdryer in the room.
- Trusted ICI Hotel chain standards — staff speak fluent English, the atmosphere stays quiet, and a 24-hour Lawson sits right under the building for late-night snacks.
- The Standard Double is about 14 sqm — a standard Tokyo city-hotel size that feels tight if you spread out, with a semi-double rather than a full double bed.
- The area around Ueno station gets crowded and busy, so light sleepers should ask for a higher floor for quiet.
- Rooms fill fast in high season, so book ahead rather than walking in.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a higher floor — it is the quietest choice in a busy station area.
- Skip the ¥1,200 breakfast if you are not in a rush and grab a set from the 24-hour Lawson under the building, or try the small Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku branch across the street.
- Use Shin-Okachimachi for the Toei Oedo line to Shinjuku, and walk 6 minutes to JR Okachimachi when you want the Yamanote loop.