We stayed back in Shinjuku this time after a few years staying in Ueno.
Saw that a place we had stayed once previously had changed hands / name with complete interior refurb so gave it a go.
"The Knot" previously known as "New City" hotel was the place.
Good value at "special" price of $170 oz for a twin with full breakfast for 2. I think the standard rate with breakfast was about $200.
Nice modern upgrade, opposite the park / government building.
About a 10 minute walk (flat) from the West Exit of Shinjuku station.
Recommended.

 

Funny I just stumbled across this hotel called the knot that you mention as I am looking at a bette priced hotel near Shinjuku for next year. So glad you mentioned that you liked it and I will def look at booking it . Cheers

 

I have a flight arriving into Haneda at 1am (not ideal but the price I've paid for a cheap flight.)

I've tentatively booked one of the hotels near the airport, JAL Haneda West Wing. It has a shuttle but not sure if it runs that late (or early!!). I'm guessing that at that time of day traffic won't be too bad and a taxi won't bankrupt me. Flight is booked now so that can't be changed.

Plan is to forward my luggage to my snow accommodation so should only be travelling with hand luggage.

 

You could also consider a uber

 

According to this the shuttle won't be running at that time, but it says it is only 10 mins, so taxi shouldn't be too expensive.
http://www.haneda-hotel.com/english/shuttlebus
The delivery service desks are at least open 24 hours.
http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/premises/service/delivery.html

 

I presume you mean not too expensive ...

Thanks

 

of course. fixed.

 

My 70 yr old dad has 3 days on his own at the end of our ski trip in Tokyo in mid-feb. Never been to Japan before. He likes History, museums, walking, gardens etc. Would be looking for decent hotel with English speaking staff. I have stayed Shinjuku area before would this be the best base for him? He’s Flying in and out of Haneda. He’s travelled a lot and fine to get metro etc but given age being based at suitable area will help. Working out what area first then google some hotels.

 

Ueno. There are few museums, etc. in Ueno Park to see before he starts venturing out elsewhere.

 

APA Hotel Keisei Ueno Ekimae is a decent hotel near Ueno Park and train station. The park is lovely to wander through with a few museums to visit as well.

 

Cool I’ll look at Ueno as base for him and check out that hotel

 

And Yanaka is very close by as well.
Great area for your dad to explore.
https://trulytokyo.com/yanaka-tokyo-most-traditional-district/

 

Another vote for Ueno... now I realise how much we didnt see there...

 

Just don't go to the zoo.
So depressing

 

Yup I bet. Had similar feelings about the Kyoto zoo... Asahikawa was also not great.
Prob not worth visiting zoo's in Japan

 

I went to Ueno Zoo, regretted it. Animals are well cared for however the enclosures etc. are from a long gone era. Find something else to do with your time.

 

The Pandas have a charmed life.

The others . Not so much.

 

If we are coming back through Tokyo from Habuka and having a couple of nights - which is the best location? We are a family of four so will want to do some looking around.

 

Have stayed in Asakusa a couple of times now, close to some good attractions, easy to get across the other side of Tokyo and cheaper then Shinjuku and other places over there

 

Stay in Shinjuku area, its full on busy and feels alive. That's if you want that. It feels to me like the Tokyo I imagined.
Kids are safe and saves getting trains with the kids. Ueno is also good, a little quitter and has very easy access to the main train line that will take you where ever takes your fancy. And train straight to the airport. All depends on the age of your kids as well.

 

How are you getting from Tokyo to Hakuba / return with the fam of 4?
Transport decisions help in deciding best/easiest Tokyo accom options.

 

Or if you are on a budget paying for a family of 4, and want to get there the most economical way.....the highway bus from Shinjuku to Hakuba return saves a family of 4 hundreds of dollars. Then that decision dictates easiest accom.
But this thread is about accom.

 

Great idea thank you! We will get the highway bus I think. Flight departs from Narita airport.

(on another note - our flight arrives 6pm at Narita - what would be the best way to get to Hakuba?)

 

Best way.
Cheapest way.
What do people recommend...
All different I guess.
I always stay that night in Tokyo.
Gets me into the groove. Japan style.

 

Same. Allows for flight delays, not having to worry about missing connections, last train etc. Relax, have a night in Tokyo, get away in the morning and still get to ski in the afternoon if you want.
And if coming from Narita and catching the train the next morning it is a no brainer to stay overnight in Ueno.

 

Yep, we love a few days on arrival.......cause we live rural.

 

I've done the late night trip to hakuba. Pulled in around 1am.
Was 3am my time.
I was wired but tired.
I was a danger to myself on the hill the next day.

 

Our option is staying at Narita for the first night, good priced accom. With the kids might be a option.You could catch Nagano snow shuttle the bus in the morning direct to Hakuba.
We did the bus first time this year, worked well, easier with luggage. The Shinkansen is fun to do though.

 

Yep, a plethora of ways to get there. No best way, IMO. Just personal preference and circumstance.
We've enjoyed both the trains and the Highway bus on different occasions.
One thing I personally wouldn't do, is get off the flight in Narita and step into a Nagano Snow Shuttle bus a couple of hours later (think they depart Narita at about 8.30pm) for another 5-6 hours.
Not just because of the overall length of journey arriving into Hakuba at 1.30am local time, but I like to travel overland during the day, checking out the scenery etc etc.
If your going to have a few days in Tokyo at the end of your trip (as you said), then I would suggest staying in one of the Narita Airport hotels on arrival to Japan. Free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and same in the morning back to the Airport. Then NEX Express train to Shinjuku and then Highway bus to Hakuba. (if you choose Highway bus as your form of transport to Hakuba).
On return if you Highway bus back to Shinjuku from Hakuba, then stay in a hotel near Shinjuku station, then after your Tokyo stay NEX train back to Narita.
Edit: if your trip is two weeks or less, you can buy the NEX Express "return" train ticket at Narita to Shinjuku (valid for 14 days). The return ticket is discounted...........saving about $AU100 for a family of 4. (compared to if you just purchased one way tickets for both journeys).

 

Staying at a Narita hotel is fine for one night especially for a late arrival or early flight out. But most of the hotels are in an area between the airport and the town with basically nothing around them. You need to get a shuttle to either the airport or the town.
Narita town is worth visiting once for the Naritasan temple but that's about it.
For an earlier arrival like yours at 6pm, I think it is better getting the Keisei line train to Ueno. There you can walk out the hotel in the evening and have plenty to see and do. You then have a shorter trip the next day to where ever you are skiing. Or else the Shinjuku option that Sandy mentioned.

 

This.
We stayed at a Narita hotel in 2005.
It took roughly 15-20 mins to get the shuttle etc .
Considering the Skyliner takes 41mins to get to Ueno. Right in the guts of Tokyo.

 

This is subjective to a few things in regards to @brissmith .
Family of 4, (age of kids?), first time in Japan, form of transport chosen from Tokyo to Hakuba?
Kids normally work on a clock..............dinner and bed by ?pm etc.
Some kids travel well, some???
Direct flight from Brisbane or going via Cairns, Singapore etc etc.......longer flights?
What works well for a single person, don't always go so well for kids.

 

I have a wife and a child. I even allow them in the same room as me!
I take your point though. When she was 3 or 4 (her first trip to Japan) we stayed at a Airport Hotel in Osaka.

 

Yeah, the single person line was for Heinz. lol.
And you had been to Japan prior to your Osaka trip when daughter was 3 or 4, so already had the lay of the land.
For family of 4, first time to Japan..............easiest is sometimes best. IMO
Anyway, all good. I'm sure what ever way they go they will have fun!!!

 

The Shinjuku option is pricey these days. I gave up with looking for hotels for late Jan and went with an Airbnb. And that wasn't what you'd call a bargain either.

 

Don't know what your standard of accom. requirements are, but this is a very clean and cheap option just a short uber ride away if you have gear, or 1 stop from Shinjuku by train. 21yr old son stayed there last year with friends, said it was great and wasn't a backpacker, had a mix of all ages. Us older ones stayed at "the knot", which was good value last year.
http://holiday-view-inn.hotels-tokyo-jp.com/en/

 

True. Three options I think:
Book something near Narita Station (such as Mercure or Richmond). 10 minutes train. Into hotel. Done.
Book something near Narita that offers a shuttle. This is simple but you're often left waiting for the shuttle (after time spent finding the stop).
Book something near Keisei Ueno. 40 minutes train. 5 minutes walk. Done.

 

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I have a bit to think about. We are not coming direct so will be a bit tired although the kids travel well. They will be 10 and 13 so maybe I could call them a tween and teen. My husband and eldest have been to Japan before although not much time in Tokyo so it will still be all new to us. So exciting to be planning a trip!

 

If not young kids then head into Ueno methinks. I recommend Hotel Marutani or Sutton Place. It'll give a head start the next day. As a nice easy intro there's a Maccas nearby for brekky the next morning. Ueno Park also worth a wander around before you head off in the morning.

 

I recommend airbnb.
I can't say I'll ever stay in a overpriced hotel in Tokyo again.
We had a great airbnb
*ive stayed at Sutton

 

If anyone is thinking about staying at a Narita airport hotel in the future.
I found that the airport hotels provide the shuttle bus timetable on their websites (bus stop No. on platform and times).
They leave on time (to the minute), every 20 minutes at night.
Here is one as an example below.
If your travelling with young kids, and they're hungry / tired on arrival, you can grab some food at a convenience store inside the airport terminal, then meet your shuttle.
When you book into the hotel, they will ask you to select a return shuttle time to book your spot for the morning.
Works like clockwork, and is a good easy option if all your after is a bath and a rest up.

 

Agreed. But a couple of nights at the Hilton might change my mind.

 

Tell me who organized and paid for said stay?

 

Brother!

 

Thanks Zimbooo. The +1 would regard the Holiday View as a little spartan. The Knot looks good but is a bit more expensive than what you paid earlier this year. We arrive on a Friday for a 3 night stopover so we've booked two nights in an Airbnb at Shibuya and a night at the Nikko Narita before we fly out on the Monday morning. Liked the regularity of the buses when we were deciding where to spend the third night.

 

What a nice brother.

 

Moved up to number 1.