If you want a taste of Tokyo of years past, Ueno is a great place to visit. The neighbouring area of Yanaka is full of shrines, old houses and interesting shops and galleries. It is an easy walk from Nippori station down the shopping street and past shrines to Ueno. There is Ueno park and most of the museums and galleries of note in Tokyo are here along with the zoo. Note depending on your travel dates, alot of these are closed on Mondays. Ueno and the area around the station is full of little alleyways crowded with restaurants and shops.

I stayed in the same hotel twice -- Hotel New Tohoku -- newtouhoku. jp -- just one thing -- look very carefully at the map as it does have English name on the building, but the lights are displaying the Japanese name. I liked this hotel as being conveniently located and relatively cheap.

No you don't need a guide. You will find your way around the park aria :)

I cannot do much to help since I haven't been to either of them, but my advice is to go to the one that works better for you. Ueno Hotel: a little farther from the station, but cheeper. Average rating in 3.8 APA Hotel Keisei Ueno Ekimae: right in front of the station, but more expensive. Average rating is 3.7 I would probably do Ueno Hotel because it is higher rated. It is still close to the station so I don't think that should matter oo much. And because APA Hotel is basically in Ueno park there may be noise even late at night.

I believe that every hotel has a common or lounge area but not so big room only a place size 4-6sq.m. But I don't know the hotel name.