"Situated not too far away from the Shinjuku madness is Apartment Hotel Shinjuku. This unique boutique boasts two-nights-at-a-capsule-like prices and just as much personality as a love hotel. Close your eyes and picture this: You’re sipping on an Asahi beer on the porch, which is strewn with antique items – benches, ashtrays, a birdless birdcage – and taking in the calming sounds of an occasional bike zipping by and the symphony of buzzing cicadas. However, this particular establishment doesn’t feel – or look – like a hotel. It was once a Japanese Inn, rebuilt in the ‘70s – hence its Instagram worthy ’70s-style red-tiled roof – and opened as Apartment Hotel Shinjuku in 2010."

"BnA HOTEL Koenji is the coolest hotel in all of Tokyo. Located in one of the city’s hippest streets lined with vintage clothing shops, Koenji is removed from the chaos that goes down in the center of the city. Instead, the location offers a lot of café joints, mom-and-pop stores and record shops. Back in the ‘70s, Koenji was home to Japan’s punk scene; and since early 2016, it’s been home to a boutique unlike any others in Tokyo."

"Just like its older sibling, BnA STUDIO Akihabara gives the artist a percentage when the room he or she designed is booked. Here, there are five spacious studios to choose from. All occupy their own floor and come with a nicely-sized kitchen, a washer-dryer machine and Dr. Bronner bath products. Additionally, all are designed in a memorable manner."

"CLASKA started as a renovation project of an old hotel and eventually opened its doors as the glistening CLASKA in 2004. It is now considered Tokyo’s first design-boutique hotel. Situated in the Nakameguro district, the establishment sits exquisitely on Meguro Dori – a stylish street known for its second-hand furniture stores."

"Trunk (Hotel) is made of modern design hotel dreams courtesy of Mount Fuji Architects. The two four-storied buildings that make up Trunk (Hotel) look like artfully stacked Jenga blocks with a striking Japanese Zelkova tree acting as the outdoor courtyard’s Instagrammable centerpiece. There’s an abundance of greenery scattered throughout the eco-conscious hotel including several potted palm trees in some rooms and the large lounge."

"Located down a secluded backstreet in Tokyo’s central Kagurazaka neighborhood, Trunk (Hotel)’s sister hotel Trunk (House) is a one-bedroom hotel that was originally a geisha-training house for 70 years. The interior of the traditional wooden house, which fits up to four people at a time, is an immaculate mix of traditional and modern Japan. The aesthetics of the airy living spaces are on the comforting minimal side that features a white puffy mattress placed on a low wooden platform, while the tatami tea room comes with leather cushions and tea utensils by Tom Sachs."

"Wired Hotel calls itself a “local community hotel” which houses a café and bar called Zakbaran. Ever since Wired opened its doors back in 2017 in the tourist-free Asakusa neighborhood, locals have been making it their go-to spot to work and enjoy a cup of coffee. Its interior features hipster-inspired furnishings that appear to be purchased from a Brooklyn vintage store due to the hotel being branded by Portland-based OMFGCO – the same creative agency known for the mega-successful Ace Hotel chain."