Hotel K5's compact building in Tokyo's business district packs more facilities than its humble exterior would suggest.
The simple four-story brick structure houses twenty designer guest rooms, a coffee shop, a restaurant, a brewery, and a cocktail bar.
The former bank building in Nihonbashi Kabutochō from the 1920s was transformed into an urban haven by the highly skilled Swedish architects of Claesson Koivisto Rune.
This historical photo showcases the former bank building in the financial district of Tokyo.
Kabutochō is Japan's business center, where you can find the Tokyo Stock Exchange along with other financial institutes. In the past decade, it became one of the coolest neighborhoods thanks to the Kabutochō Revitalization project.
The internationally acclaimed designers working on the hotel have blended Swedish aesthetics with Japanese minimalism in the riad-esque interiors dominated by high ceilings.
Some walls were stripped of all paint, and to tone down the industrial vibe, their bare concrete presence was spiced up with green plants.
Switch Coffee
For your daily coffee shot, head to Switch Coffee, where you can get quality barista drinks. With espresso tonic on offer, you know they take caffeine intake seriously.
Beer Hall
The four drinking/dining establishments follow the Japanese "aimai" concept of vaguely outlined borders between the spaces.
Part of the gastronomical experience is the presentation of the dishes on pretty handcrafted ceramics.
The rooms, suites, and studios are larger than Tokyo's standard, and the high ceilings make them look even more spacious.
K5 Room
The aesthetically pleasing harmony of the interiors is the consequence of not having intrusive modern tech, like large flat screens.
Instead, the room's most hipster feature is a record player that comes with a vinyl collection.
The speakers are high above your bed, so expect an acoustic experience unlike in any other hotel.
Studio
Junior Suite
If you upgrade to the Junior Suite Loft / K5 Loft, you'll be rewarded with more space and a freestanding bathtub.
K5 Loft
The bathroom's mirror lamp turns the atmosphere into a red light zone with a push of a button.
Bicycles are available on a first-come, first-served basis to discover Tokyo at a faster pace. And as the city saw its cycling infrastructure massively upgraded, it's one of the best ways to see the city.
3-5 Nihonbashikabutocho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0026, Japan
