the new BnA Hotel in Koenji
The Bed & Art Project (BnA) is an ambitious initiative aimed at creating a new ecosystem of hospitality that supports artists by offering their art as lodging. The project kicked off last year with 2 proof-of-concept rooms first in Ikebukuro and Kyoto, which are still available through Airbnb.
Taking their concept a step further, the group has recently launched their first hotel in Tokyo’s western suburb of Koenji.
The café and bar on the ground floor is the Front Desk and acts as a literal check-in point for guests as well as a hub for local artists
The subterranean art gallery situated below Front Desk offers a unique opportunity for up and coming international artists.
Modest in scale, the BnA Hotel Koenji offers 2 unique rooms created by Japanese artists. Both rooms are about the same size and accommodate 2 guests. Each time you stay in the room a portion of the proceeds are shared with the artist, thereby creating a new shared economy. And in keeping with the true concept of sharing, the group envisions the streets of Koenji as “hallways” of the hotel that lead to partnered local business like cafes, restaurants, gift shops and bike rentals.
If you’re interested in Koenji, check out our curated guide of Koenji, part of our larger Tokyo Guide.
Room 1: “Into the foreign”
This room was created by artist Yohei Takahashi who “utilizes the free flowing movement of the brush and the resulting accidental lines to depict vivid and lively animals.” The 2nd-floor room accommodates 2 guests and comes with a private shower, toilet and fridge.
Room 2: “Ten”
This vivid room was created by painter Ryuichi Ogino, a Tokyo-based artist with a graphic design background. Located on the 3rd floor, it also accommodates 2 guests and comes with a private shower, toilet and fridge.
