When we think of lodging, we usually think of hot springs and hotels, but lodging facilities with a variety of characteristics are increasing these days.
In this article, we will introduce some unique accommodations such as movie theaters, temples, observatories, and bookstores.

Stay at a Movie Theater【Theater Zzz】（Tokyo・Ryogoku）

“Theater Zzz” is an experience-based hotel where visitors stay in tents surrounding a screen, with the concept “Encounter what you love, a stage where landscapes overlap” in a single space where tea, film, and travel come together. During the day it functions as a cafe called「CHASURU」as well as a bar at night, and is open to guests and the public.

It is only a 4-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the Toei Subway Oedo Line, and the surrounding area has many facilities such as the Edo Tokyo Museum and Kokugikan where you can experience Edo culture and enjoy the mixture of tradition and innovation.

Theater Zzz（シアター ズィー）
Address: 130-011 Tokyo, Sumida-Ku, Ishihara 1-18-7
Access: 4-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the Toei Subway Oedo Line
11-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line
12-minute walk from Kuramae Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line
Webpage: https://theaterzzz.com/

Stay at a Book Store【BOOK AND BED TOKYO】（Tokyo・Shinjuku）

BOOK AND BED TOKYO is a hostel based on the concept of “staying at a bookstore”. Its symbol is a large bookcase with rooms that can hold up to 4,000 books. Not only can you stay overnight, you can nap during the daytime in the beds or enjoy daytime activities in the book lounge. Coffee beans from “COFFEE SUPREME” are used for further enjoyment. The accommodation fee is 5,000 yen per night.

BOOK AND BED TOKYO SHINJUKU
Address: 160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku-Ku, Kabukicho 1-27-5, Kabukicho APM Building 8F
Access: 6-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station
Webpage: https://bookandbedtokyo.com/shinjuku/index.html

Stay at a School【Sarusho】（Gunma・Minakami）

Surrounded by nature in the town of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, it takes about two hours by car from Tokyo to reach "Saruko Gakko (a school that you can stay overnight)," a renovated wooden elementary school building that was closed in 2008 and is available for private use by one group per day.

The school's spacious grounds, swimming pool, and other facilities can be used for a variety of activities, and in the school building, guests can practice brass instruments, piano, and band instruments without hesitation. The accommodation fee is 5,280 yen per person per night for reservations of 10-19 people. A maximum of 120 people can be accommodated.

Sarusyo
Address: Gunma Prefecture, Tone County, Minakami, Aimata 1744-15
Access: 8-minute walk from Aimata Teiryuu-jo (Bus stop)
Webpage: https://www.sarusho.com/

Stay at an Art Museum【BnA Alter Museum】（Kyoto・Tenma-Cho）

BnA Alter Museum, which opened in 2019 with the concept of an art hotel that brings up-and-coming Japanese art to the world, is conveniently located about a five-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station in Kyoto. There are 31 guest rooms created by 16 up-and-coming artists and are works of art that you can stay in.

There is also a 10-story staircase gallery where you can climb stairs to look into a huge exhibition room over 6 meters high, making it a truly accommodation-styled museum. The accommodation fee for the Deluxe Double Room is 21,500 yen per night (One night with dinner included, two people per room).

BnA Alter Museum
Address: Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Shimogyo-Ku, Tenma-Cho 267-1
Access: 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line
Webpage: http://bnaaltermuseum.com/

Stay at a Temple【Temple Hotel Shorekiji】（Kyoto・Ayabe City）

Shorekiji Temple, with its elegant precincts surrounded by mountains, had its grand opening on June 2, 2021 as the Temple Hotel Shorekiji, a temple inn limited to one group per day.

The temple has a long history of more than 1,000 years and has been protected by the local people, including the feudal lord and his family. You can enjoy temple experiences such as Zen meditation in a bamboo grove and copying sutras, as well as taste rare chicken dishes prepared by the priest himself.

You can enjoy spectacular views of nature from the guest rooms which have windows all around the room. The 100 year old Japanese style room features sliding doors (fusuma) designed by the Japanese painter Ito Keisui. The accommodation fee is around 35,000 yen per night (One night with two meals included, two people per room).

Temple Hotel Shorekiji
Address: Kyoto Prefecture, Ayabe City, Teramachi Dounomae 45
Access: 5-minute drive from Ayabe Station on the Saiin Line
Webpage: https://oterastay.com/shourekiji/

Stay at an Observatory【Hoshi no Bunka Kan】（Fukuoka・Hoshino Village）

Boasting one of Kyushu's largest astronomical telescopes (100cm), the "Hoshi no Bunka-kan" (Culture Center of the Stars) is open to the public on weekends, holidays, and of course during the daytime on weekdays. It is one of the few public observatories in Japan.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful night sky to your heart's content, stay at the Hoshi no Bunka Kan Petit Hotel, which is attached to the observatory.
The guest rooms have a cozy wooden feel, and include Japanese-style rooms, family rooms with lofts, simple twin rooms, and capsule rooms.

Guests have the special privilege of enjoying the Planetarium from 9 p.m. and the Astronomical Observatory from 10 p.m. for free. The accommodation fee is 7,638 yen per night (Breakfast is included).

Hoshi no Bunka Kan
Address: Fukuoka Prefecture, Yame City, Hoshino Village 10828-1
Access: 45-minute drive from Hirokawa IC, Yame IC
Webpage: https://www.hoshinofurusato.jp/constellation/

All of the lodgings introduced here are full of charm where you can stay while slowly savoring Japanese culture, both old and new. If there were any lodgings that interested you, how about going to visit?