1

Shinjuku is most convenient and has plenty of hotels

2

A lot has been written here about the Tsukiji fish market. Do you want to visit the fish market really early (before the subway starts)? It is too far from Shinjuku to walk.

3

I don´t know, should I visit the fish market really early before the subway starts? :-)
Is it too late if you take the sub?

4

I would stay in Shinjuku.

If you want to save some money I'd stay in Ueno.

Explanation of areas here:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/hotels/tokyo.html

If you wish to see the tuna auction at Tsukiji then you should queue up before 4am or so. You cannot get there at 4am by public transport so your only option is taxi or walk (or bike). Taxi from Shinjuku is around 3500-4500 yen. Taxi from Ueno is 3000-4000 yen. Alternatively, you can spend the night before in a hotel within walking distance. Shiodome, Shimbashi, and Higashi Ginza are within walking distance.

If you just want to see Tsukiji Market, have sushi, and not see the tuna auction then public transport is fine. I'd still get there around 7am or 8am especially if you wish to have sushi.

Tsukiji
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html

Tokyo cherry blossom spots
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3050.html

If you want to see the cherry blossoms early April is usually better than late March
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_when.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/sakura12/
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/sakura11/

Architecture
http://whereintokyo.com/dbinx/arch.html
http://whereintokyo.com/dbinx/notarch.html

Booking sites
http://www.jalan.net
http://www.rakuten.co.jp
http://www.expedia.com
http://www.agoda.com
http://www.hostelworld.com

Although Tokyo is not as popular as Kyoto for cherry blossoms I would still try and book your hotel in advance once you have your dates set.

5

Thanks a lot!

We will be staying 2 week all together in Japan so hopefully we will see cherry blossom somewhere.
I have heared that cherry blossom starts earlier and earlier because of the global heating?
Can anyone confirm that?

6

No. Read the links that I posted for useful information on timing. With two weeks you should be able to catch the cherry blossoms somewhere as long as you pick reasonable dates and are flexible with where you go to see them.

7

Hi

I have stayed several times at the Toyoko Inn Shinjuku - Kabukicho and I definitely recommend it

Not expensive, good breakfast included and in the heart of it all

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00095/index.html

regards

8

You might want to fix the link as that hotel is in Nihombashi 12km away!

9

yup, you are right, thanks for the correction

I also stayed at Nihombashi and put the wrong link

this is the correct one

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00078/index.html

10

Ueno: www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/tokyo/ueno.htm

11

I'd agree with acc, Shinjuku if you can afford it as its very central - you want to see people, there are a million at Shinjuku station at any given point :). If not Ueno (where we stayed), we found the area more residential, quiet and quite lovely without compromising too much on accessibility. Our semi ryokan was 15 min walk from Ueno station, and very handily 5 min walk from Nizu station.

Edited by: shakester