1920’s Bank to Boutique Design Hotel: K5 Tokyo
Set in a renovated 1920s bank building, and featuring an interior that’s a Japan-meets-Scandinavian design masterclass, K5 Tokyo stands out among its peers and adds a new kind of hospitality to Nihonbashi’s innovative Kabutocho neighbourhood. From a progressive dining experience at Caveman to the world’s first Brooklyn Brewery flagship store and a cosy library-slash-speakeasy bar, here’s why K5 is one of my favourite accommodation options for your next trip to Tokyo.
The Offer
The design by Swedish architect studio Claesson Koivisto Rune is what truly sets this hotel apart from its peers. Based on the concept of aimai (ambiguity, obscure, vague), the hotel uses colourful furniture, textiles, and plants in place of walls which allows for a more subtle division of space. 20 rooms spread over three floors make up guest lodgings, with those on the top floor having 4.5m ceilings and bucketloads of light.
The concrete structure of each room is also softened by plants, playful furniture, Japanese timber and hanging veils. The rooms, suites and studios cleverly separate sleep and leisure areas and boast amenities such as vinyl players (instead of TVs) and free-standing bathtubs to retreat to from a day exploring any number of things to do in Tokyo. For more unique hotel recommendations in Tokyo and beyond, be sure to check out my book, Views from Japan, which features a curated list of hotels all across Japan.
English-speaking staff are on hand at all times to ensure your stay at K5 is the best it can be - expect the usual high-quality service Japan is famous for. The onsite restaurant caveman run by Atsuki Kuroda, is a highlight of the hotel. It offers breakfast, lunch, and a nine-course evening meal combining French, Japanese, and Scandinavian influences. The menu rotates based on the season and available ingredients - expect to see sushi, eel, udon and soba as staples. While it’s not included in the room price, it’s definitely worth the extra fee.
Exploring Tokyo? Here’s a free Tokyo neighbourhoods guide to get you started.
The Location
K5 Tokyo breathes life into an otherwise overlooked area by visitors to the capital. Nihonbashi, a commercial quarter named for its landmark 17th-century canal bridge offered visitors few reasons to explore. Salarymen still work in the area - though most reside in the newer finance district of Marunouchi - which makes accommodation options err on the side of practicality, rather than disruptions like K5.
The hotel, once home to the four-storey Dai-ichi bank, sits just across the road from the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is about a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station. Its location makes it easy to explore other parts of Tokyo and Japan via Shinkansen and other transport options.
Three other stations, Kayabachō, Mitsukoshimae, and Nihombashi are also just a short walk away.
Who is it For?
If next-level interior design with food to match sounds like your ideal accommodation traits, K5 should be on your list. Its location makes it feel like a secret find, and its roster of extras gives it the trendy vibe Nihonbashi is missing. The entire establishment has a buzz to it that’s otherwise hard to find in this part of town. Boutique hotel, top-notch restaurant, coffee stand, swanky bar and beer hall all rolled into one. Figuring out what type of accommodation you should book in Japan is tricky, but If you’re looking for a well-designed hotel that can do it all, K5 Tokyo is the place to be.
Related Post: Aman Tokyo: The Gateway to Urban Discovery
Sustainability
This boutique hotel started its sustainability effort from the very beginning. The building itself was constructed in the immediate wake of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and stands as a symbol of hope and rebirth for Nihonbashi. The century-old building was saved from demolition and converted into an ultra-trendy stay while keeping elements from its past life. Cracks in the original concrete have been sealed with kintsugi, a traditional Japanese craft usually reserved for broken ceramics that takes position as a new-style building restoration method.
The hotel's dedication to building restaurants and spaces for the community, like the beer hall, coffee stand, and bar, shows just how involved it is in the local community. On a more practical level, the site has LED lighting, uses local food, and restricts the use of plastic throughout its entire operation.
Important Information
How to get there
Car: No onsite parking, contact guest services for nearby options
Train: 5-minute walk from Kayabacho Station (Exit 10)
Check-in / Check-out: 15:00/12:00
Number of Onsen: N/A
Pets: Not Allowed
Book: K5 Tokyo
3-5 Nihonbashikabutocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0026, Japan
Find out more via www.k5-tokyo.com/en
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