Where to stay?

I've been trying to choose accommodation for our stopover visit to Japan next year.  It's so difficult to know what and where to go for but I have narrowed it down to Ueno/Asakusa area (take a look at the map, you'll notice the proximity of interesting things like shrines and gardens!!) and I've emailed a selection of places - including a traditional ryokan which I'm most excited about - why go to Japan and stay in an international chain hotel with a load of tourists?