BnA Hotel - Koenji on Postcard

"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."

These are the 7 Best Boutique Hotels in Tokyo

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@cntraveler

"How did it strike you on arrival?In a city with actual robot hotels, an “art hotel” might seem blasé. But BnA Hotel (which stands for the Bed & Art Project) has a mission beyond hogging a permanent collection. As Tokyo's real estate costs verge on stratospheric, small art galleries feel the pressure—BnA’s concept is dual-purpose, creating a space for traveling art-lovers to sleep while supporting the hotel’s rotating art exhibitions from local artists. Nice. What’s the crowd like?With only two hotel rooms, the bulk of the crowd won't be fellow guests, but rather hip locals and travelers at the bar or browsing the gallery. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Both rooms are pieces of art themselves. With two double beds, Art Room 2 was a blank canvas for artist Ryuichi Ogino. His design, a zigzag of black and white stripes, runs across the walls, bedspreads, floors, and pillows—and radiate from the overhead neon light in concentric circles. You've booked yourself a piece of art, and now you're sleeping in it. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?It's a cozy piece of art. Really. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?It's a convenient thing, having a room just above a bar—especially when the bartender is as friendly and conversational as this one. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.While there are only two rooms at the moment, owners plan to branch out into the neighborhood by opening Airbnb-style bookings designed by local artists that allow travelers to mingle with the community. For now, at least, it helps that its default flagship is located in Koenji, a buzzy young neighborhood full of creative boutiques (think secondhand shops, record stores, and hipster bars). Bottom line: worth it, and why?Hoping to make an investment in local art communities around the world? Go ahead and sleep on it." - Keith Flanagan

BnA Hotel Koenji

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Lulu T

Google

Unbeatable trendy Koenji location right next to the station (6 mins to Shinjuku! Right next to Nakano!), fun interconnected artsy nightlife, a downstairs bar (it doesn't run all nights, but there are pop-up events if you're lucky!) and an artistic hotel room of inspiration. I stayed in the beautiful room 'Ten'. When I wasn't meeting Japanese and international artist visitors at the bar, I read and drew at the desk upstairs (they provided some pencils and notepaper which was fun) and as such felt more connected to the art beat of Japan. Even if you simply want to chill in your room, it's a relaxing atmosphere. Koenji also has a great music scene to check out in the night-time, so check out the art/music/record shop/fashion/mural spot recommendations mentioned by local bar goers or in the hotel manual. The bar staff at bar FRONTDESK were kind, professional and welcoming. Here, you can meet many artists organically at pop-up bar events and never feel like you are intruding on a private party. Very inclusive, funky atmosphere, little treasures of wall-art to be found on the walls. I think some new artwork popped up in the hall during my stay too, which shows that the place is frequented and always artistically evolving. I love the zine-scene in Australia and this place mirrored that DIY feel. loved this hotel and it became a place I'd recommend to all my art/zine/sketch loving buddies who stay in Japan. Felt right at home. ☆

Christina Purington, MSW

Google

Cool room, the bar/venue wasn't active while I stayed (for about a week), so that was a bit disappointing as it was one of the selling points but no big deal. The small elevator isn't usable for people as it's used for storage, but there is enough room where you can use it to bring bags up/down to your room. Stairs are very steep. I slipped once, hitting the corner, and glad for catching the hand rails, or I would have hurt myself. Hosts were quick to respond when the door was stuck and gave good recommendations for music venues and other locations to check out in the area as well.

Martin Metcalfe

Google

This is a special place. Ignore the star rating, this is not an ordinary hotel. It has just 2 rooms with a fun bar/reception. My room with wolves rampaging around the walls is immaculate. Not much space for a suitcase but that is a minor point. Akira, the manager, is a delight mixing drinks at the bar and full of useful information. BnA is a venture to support new Japanese artists and those that create works in the rooms receive a percentage of the room rate - brilliant. Koenji is an interesting low-rise are with good places to eat and interesting shops. The area may look remote on the map but the subway connection is good. I cannot recommend it more highly.

Kasler

Google

Amazing location 2 minutes walk from Koenji Station which has excellent connections into Shinjuku and Tokyo Stations for the Narita express. Entrance is through a bar - no Reception Area. Only 2 rooms. We stayed in the first floor room. Whacky to the extreme but comfortable. Good shower and reasonably comfortable single beds. Unfortunately on our first night they had a party in the bar and the music was vibrating into the room. On top of that there are air conditioning units outside of the window which hum all night long. So if you need complete quietness to sleep don't stay here. There are lots of trendy restaurants nearby. The hotel "guide book" gives excellent recommendations. Give a particular shout for a tempura one where they serve tempura eggs - expect to queue - but worth it.

BedStuyTraveler9

Google

I loved the BnA hotel and really loved the Koenji neighborhood. The hotel is located right outside the subway stop, which was so nice - and the hotel was surprisingly quiet! ||||We had the room on the second floor - it was so cool to wake up to the brightly-colored mural every morning. The room was the perfect size for 2 people - it was small and there was no TV, but who cares about that?? We did not come to Koenji to sit in the room!||||The staff is very friendly and helpful and enthusiastic. Definitely hang out at the bar one night!!||||As far as Koenji goes, it is the best neighborhood in Tokyo! There are endless amounts of boutiques, vintage shops, restaurants and coffee shops - it was honestly hard to decide where to eat! Great yakatori spots and great craft beer bars! Japub was cool - they let people come in and DJ, which gave it a cool neighborhood vibe. My favorite boutique in Koenji was Kiki - definitely go check it out! ||||Overall, I LOVED BnA and loved Koenji - just a fun, young, hip, friendly place :)

David C

Google

After staying at an amazing 5 star hotel our first few days in Tokyo we decided to stay at BnA Hotel on the tail end of our Japan trip to see a new part of town that is very cool and different. With just 2 rooms the BnA hotel is very laid back and hidden behind the ground floor coffeeshop and bar popular with hip foreigners. The recommendation guide in our room was great and the owner was friendly and welcoming. I'd recommend this hotel to fairly independent travelers that appreciate local hotels with a hip vibe.

Matt I

Google

Stayed here for 2 nights with my wife as something a bit different and was pleasantly surprised. The rooms are amazing, but the best part of the experience was being able to meet heaps of amazing people as the downstairs bar functions as a hub for local and international creative people. Highly recommended.

Biji Biji I

Google

This place has been permanently etched in our memory as one of the best places we have ever stayed at. From the reception bar, the Artpiece rooms to the rooftop terrace, its difficult to want to leave at times. A must if you are in koenji. We are definitely swinging by again next time we come to Tokyo.

Lulu T

Google

Unbeatable trendy Koenji location right next to the station (6 mins to Shinjuku! Right next to Nakano!), fun interconnected artsy nightlife, a downstairs bar (it doesn't run all nights, but there are pop-up events if you're lucky!) and an artistic hotel room of inspiration. I stayed in the beautiful room 'Ten'. When I wasn't meeting Japanese and international artist visitors at the bar, I read and drew at the desk upstairs (they provided some pencils and notepaper which was fun) and as such felt more connected to the art beat of Japan. Even if you simply want to chill in your room, it's a relaxing atmosphere. Koenji also has a great music scene to check out in the night-time, so check out the art/music/record shop/fashion/mural spot recommendations mentioned by local bar goers or in the hotel manual. The bar staff at bar FRONTDESK were kind, professional and welcoming. Here, you can meet many artists organically at pop-up bar events and never feel like you are intruding on a private party. Very inclusive, funky atmosphere, little treasures of wall-art to be found on the walls. I think some new artwork popped up in the hall during my stay too, which shows that the place is frequented and always artistically evolving. I love the zine-scene in Australia and this place mirrored that DIY feel. loved this hotel and it became a place I'd recommend to all my art/zine/sketch loving buddies who stay in Japan. Felt right at home. ☆

Christina Purington, MSW

Google

Cool room, the bar/venue wasn't active while I stayed (for about a week), so that was a bit disappointing as it was one of the selling points but no big deal. The small elevator isn't usable for people as it's used for storage, but there is enough room where you can use it to bring bags up/down to your room. Stairs are very steep. I slipped once, hitting the corner, and glad for catching the hand rails, or I would have hurt myself. Hosts were quick to respond when the door was stuck and gave good recommendations for music venues and other locations to check out in the area as well.

Martin Metcalfe

Google

This is a special place. Ignore the star rating, this is not an ordinary hotel. It has just 2 rooms with a fun bar/reception. My room with wolves rampaging around the walls is immaculate. Not much space for a suitcase but that is a minor point. Akira, the manager, is a delight mixing drinks at the bar and full of useful information. BnA is a venture to support new Japanese artists and those that create works in the rooms receive a percentage of the room rate - brilliant. Koenji is an interesting low-rise are with good places to eat and interesting shops. The area may look remote on the map but the subway connection is good. I cannot recommend it more highly.

Kasler

Google

Amazing location 2 minutes walk from Koenji Station which has excellent connections into Shinjuku and Tokyo Stations for the Narita express. Entrance is through a bar - no Reception Area. Only 2 rooms. We stayed in the first floor room. Whacky to the extreme but comfortable. Good shower and reasonably comfortable single beds. Unfortunately on our first night they had a party in the bar and the music was vibrating into the room. On top of that there are air conditioning units outside of the window which hum all night long. So if you need complete quietness to sleep don't stay here. There are lots of trendy restaurants nearby. The hotel "guide book" gives excellent recommendations. Give a particular shout for a tempura one where they serve tempura eggs - expect to queue - but worth it.

BedStuyTraveler9

Google

I loved the BnA hotel and really loved the Koenji neighborhood. The hotel is located right outside the subway stop, which was so nice - and the hotel was surprisingly quiet! ||||We had the room on the second floor - it was so cool to wake up to the brightly-colored mural every morning. The room was the perfect size for 2 people - it was small and there was no TV, but who cares about that?? We did not come to Koenji to sit in the room!||||The staff is very friendly and helpful and enthusiastic. Definitely hang out at the bar one night!!||||As far as Koenji goes, it is the best neighborhood in Tokyo! There are endless amounts of boutiques, vintage shops, restaurants and coffee shops - it was honestly hard to decide where to eat! Great yakatori spots and great craft beer bars! Japub was cool - they let people come in and DJ, which gave it a cool neighborhood vibe. My favorite boutique in Koenji was Kiki - definitely go check it out! ||||Overall, I LOVED BnA and loved Koenji - just a fun, young, hip, friendly place :)

David C

Google

After staying at an amazing 5 star hotel our first few days in Tokyo we decided to stay at BnA Hotel on the tail end of our Japan trip to see a new part of town that is very cool and different. With just 2 rooms the BnA hotel is very laid back and hidden behind the ground floor coffeeshop and bar popular with hip foreigners. The recommendation guide in our room was great and the owner was friendly and welcoming. I'd recommend this hotel to fairly independent travelers that appreciate local hotels with a hip vibe.

Matt I

Google

Stayed here for 2 nights with my wife as something a bit different and was pleasantly surprised. The rooms are amazing, but the best part of the experience was being able to meet heaps of amazing people as the downstairs bar functions as a hub for local and international creative people. Highly recommended.

Biji Biji I

Google

This place has been permanently etched in our memory as one of the best places we have ever stayed at. From the reception bar, the Artpiece rooms to the rooftop terrace, its difficult to want to leave at times. A must if you are in koenji. We are definitely swinging by again next time we come to Tokyo.

BnA Hotel - Koenji

BnA Hotel - Koenji

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