Nui. HOSTEL & BAR LOUNGE / Kuramae, Tokyo

Newcomers to a town with a long history. Kuramae is a town where you can make discoveries as you walk.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

Taito City is located in the east of Tokyo , in the area between Showa Street and the Sumida River. Kuramae is located just off Edo-dori from Asakusa. Looking around, there are buildings everywhere, but the streets are wide and open. There are not many pedestrians on the street, so as you stroll slowly, you will occasionally see a new general store, a clothing store, or a coffee stand. . They are not adjacent to each other, but are located at a perfect distance from each other. This makes me want to take a long walk to the end of the street.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

In Kuramae, there is a guesthouse "Nui." that was renovated from an old warehouse building. Backpackers' Japan, which operates Nui., opened the guesthouse "toco." in Iriya (also in Taito-ku) in 2010, and "Nui." two years later. Nui. is one of the pioneers in establishing a new culture in guesthouses.

The first floor is the entrance and bar. The second to fifth floors are used for accommodations, with twin, double, and eight-person dormitory-type rooms on each floor, accommodating a total of 100 people .

The 50-year-old building has a somewhat old-fashioned atmosphere, but with a minimalist arrangement, it is both retro and modern. The tasteful walls and floors are in harmony with the building, creating a comfortable lodging space.

The space was created in cooperation with craftsmen.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

. We were actively involved in the construction. At the time, the company was smaller than it is now and had limited funds. Shoutaro Shimizu, a staff member, showed us around the building.

"The building is large and there are many hurdles to clear. But we don't want to miss out on this attractive property."

The core of the project was a team of designers and carpenters who had been friends for some time. They sympathized with the project and stayed overnight at the site to work on the project day after day. They worked together on the image of the space they wanted to create, and with the participation of Mr. Shimizu and other staff members, they shared the problems they faced and solved them. They then did the work that could be done without asking a carpenter to do it themselves. . Specifically, they painted and finished the guest room doors, assembled the bunk beds, and plastered the walls. Doing the work themselves also led to cost savings.

. We also give shape to our ideas by our own hands.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

. "All the details were brushed up by bringing ideas to my friend, the designer, who proposed them to me. . During the renovation, of course, there were many hardships, but it was a very enjoyable experience".

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

Not only the guest rooms, but also the guest kitchen, laundry, library, and all of the second-hand furniture, from handmade from scratch to custom-made, are all filled with their own "I want to do this" intentions. The leather for the powerful sofa was negotiated directly with a wholesale store in Asakusabashi, a communication that is only possible in the neighborhood. The reason they chose and made the furniture themselves was not only to keep costs down, but also to ensure the harmony of the entire space.

To meeting and connecting with friends .

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

The carpenters who worked with us on the renovation included welders, woodworkers, plasterers, and others who specialize in different fields. I think the process of combining their different perspectives and ideas, like a jazz session, has resulted in a space that is rarely seen anywhere else. Design is important, but there are many things in Nui. that have been well thought out in terms of functionality as well.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

The coffee served at the bar is from "onibus coffee," which has two locations in Tokyo and is known for its "origin-sourced and home-roasted beans. Takahiro Homma, CEO of Backpackers' Japan, which operates Nui., and Mr. Sakao of onibus coffee have been friends since before the opening of the restaurant, and they asked him for help when the restaurant opened. The room keys were designed by Mr. Yamazaki of "ALLOY," a Kuramae-based space and product designer.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

Yamazaki-san, who opened his studio in this town around the same time Nui. opened, is also of the same generation. We are now friends who bring our ideas to each other.

Maintain backpacker-friendly prices , but change the quality.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

The number of guests staying at the hotel is 70% foreigners and 30% Japanese. Most of the guests are in their 20s and 30s. 2-person groups are the most common, but the demand for young people traveling alone is increasing each year, and the clientele is changing. On the other hand, some guests in their 70s are also using the hotel.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

. we realize that our own needs are growing with age. . We would like to gradually raise the quality of service, whether it be facilities, drinks, or food. I would like to enjoy the gradual changes that are taking place here with everyone who visits, both guests and staff.

long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)

:

As it changes with the times, the number of users increases, and the number of friends grows both outside and inside. Nui." continues to evolve by combining ideas brought together, just as it did when it was under construction, and even today, people continue to visit. Nui." is like an antenna for the city, creating the future.

---

Nearby Recommended Spots