The BnA Alter Museum stands out as a beacon of contemporary art and experimental hospitality in the heart of Kyoto, where tradition often takes center stage. Opened in 2019, this unique place blurs the lines between museum and hotel, allowing you to engage in art while trying out an unusual travel experience.
If you are an avid reader of UNIQ Hotels, you might have already seen two of BnA's properties: BnA Studio Akihabara, and BnA Wall.
The hotel-museum hybrid has 31 individually designed art rooms. Each room is a manifestation of the creativity of up-and-coming Japanese artists. The highlight is a 30-meter-tall vertical gallery known as the Stair Case Gallery (SCG), which is open to the public and showcases an ever-changing array of contemporary art.
BnA Alter Museum's slim building - Photos by Tomooki Kengaku
Beyond the rooms and gallery, the BnA Alter Museum houses a shop filled with curated artworks and unique items, a café serving local Kyoto produce, and a lively bar that hosts regular events featuring local creatives. The space is designed to foster a sense of community, inviting both guests and locals to engage with art in a dynamic setting.
BnA's hotel is next to the beautiful promenade by the Kamo River, and close to Gion (Kyoto's geisha district)
What sets the BnA Alter Museum apart is its commitment to supporting artists. A portion of the accommodation fees is returned to the artists whose work is featured in the rooms, fostering a sustainable ecosystem for creative expression.
This innovative revenue-sharing model has been a hallmark of BnA hotels, including previous locations in Koenji and Akihabara.
Lobby / Bar
The hotel's bar has an artsy name: "untitled". It's a lively space designed for entertaining encounters and creative exchanges. It hosts various events for local Kyoto creatives, including art exhibitions and music performances. The atmosphere is like in a warehouse party, where you end up talking to the most random and fascinating people.
The museum shop has a unique selection of items. Instead of typical museum souvenirs, you can find creative artworks, limited edition art books, and zines. They have some really cool things to add to your art collection or find unique gifts.
Café Lounge
The café serves as a breakfast spot for museum patrons in the morning and opens to the public as a lounge in the afternoon. It offers delicious coffee and a menu that includes vegan and vegetarian-friendly options, using local Kyoto produce.
You are invited to experience the art not just visually but through an immersive audio guide and radio-style discussions with the artists themselves. This approach transforms the typical hotel stay into a journey of discovery and reflection, encouraging you to see the art from a new perspective.
"Porcelain" Room by SHOWKO
"Double Dreams" by Sato Sugamoto
"Dream of a trip, journey of a dream" by Lulu Kouno
"Abstract Dragon" by Mon Koutaro Ooyama
"From one stroke" - by Mina Katsuki
"1993" by Aiko Yuno
"goen no ma - five yen coin" by Ryuichi Ohira
"Venus Flower Basket" by Lulu Kouno
Modern and traditional architecture meets in Kyoto
267-1 Tenmacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8024, Japan
