Ueno Station Hostel Oriental 2 (Men Only)
by the TopOfHotel team
Ueno Station Hostel Oriental 2 is a men-only hostel a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station — the cheapest bed in the whole list.
Ueno Station Hostel Oriental 2 is a men-only hostel a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station — the cheapest bed in the whole list.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The bed here is a capsule-style berth from $19 a night, walled in with hard plastic and closed off by a thick fabric curtain for privacy. Inside you get an LED light, a power socket, a USB port, a small mirror and a coat hook — about a single-bed footprint, comfortable enough if you are under 180 cm. The bedding is clean and the mattress is reasonably firm. Lockers sit out in the common area and swallow a 26-inch suitcase. Nobody is calling this boutique, but for the money it covers the basics without cutting the corners that matter.
Food and amenities
The shared bathroom is men-only, which keeps it dry and clean, with a TOTO Washlet and a warm, strong shower. On-site laundry costs about $2 a load, and the free Wi-Fi clocks 50+ Mbps. There is no breakfast and no bar, but the ground-floor common area has a vending machine pouring Asahi beer for about $1.50.
Location and getting there
This is the reason to book. It is a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station, out the Shinobazu exit and through Ameyoko market. Within 200 metres you are at Ichiran Ueno ramen, the famous Yamashiroya toy shop and a 24-hour Don Quijote. The Yamanote Line out of Ueno reaches anywhere in Tokyo inside 35 minutes, and the Keisei Skyliner runs to Narita in 41 minutes for about $17. You will not find this location on this budget anywhere else.
Things to know before booking
The big one: it is men-only, full stop — women and couples cannot stay, so check Hotel Palace Japan (#3) instead if that is you. The rooms are plain and functional rather than designed, and the staff speak passable rather than fluent English. None of that is a surprise at this price, but go in expecting a no-frills bunk, not a hotel.
Our take
Ueno Station Hostel Oriental 2 is for one kind of traveler and serves that person well: the solo male backpacker on the tightest budget who wants to be as close to Ueno Station as possible. Because it only takes men, the ground-floor common area draws a mix of backpackers from Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and France trading routes over a vending-machine beer, and the staff know every place to eat in Ameyoko. At $19 a night it is the cheapest bed here, and on location, price and that solo-traveler atmosphere it covers every base it sets out to.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The single best location in the list — a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station, out the Shinobazu exit and straight through Ameyoko market.
- The cheapest bed here by a clear margin: capsule-style beds start at $19 a night.
- Each capsule has hard plastic walls, a thick fabric curtain, an LED light, a power socket, a USB port, a small mirror and a coat hook — proper privacy for the price.
- On-site laundry runs about $2 a load, and free Wi-Fi clocks 50+ Mbps.
- The Japanese staff know every eatery in Ameyoko and Ueno, down to recommending Tonkatsu Yamabe for Michelin-level tonkatsu at around $11.
- Men-only is a hard policy — women and couples simply cannot book here, so check the score (Hotel Palace Japan) before you do.
- Rooms are plain and functional, not a boutique stay; the shared bathroom is men-only.
- Staff speak passable rather than fluent English, which can slow down anything beyond a quick question.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Hit Ameyoko market in the morning — the snacks and souvenirs here are about the cheapest you will find.
- Ask the staff for food picks; they know every restaurant around Ueno, including Tonkatsu Yamabe.
- Use the JR Yamanote Line straight out of Ueno to reach anywhere in Tokyo inside 35 minutes.