Bamba Hotel Tokyo Takes You Back in Time

It’s hard to experience rural Japan in Tokyo itself, however the Bamba Hotel manages to offer what feels like an immersive experience in the Japanese countryside. Located on the ancient road that once linked Kyoto to Edo (the old name given to Tokyo) in the Shinagawa district of the capital, the hotel is the perfect compromise between urban dynamism and rustic tranquility.

The small guest house offers modern comforts in typical Japanese rooms, with futons, sliding doors and wood paneling. The owner, Kaori Tamai, who also runs the DIY store near the hotel, has subtly renovated the place, sourcing vintage wares in Japanese flea markets, such as old oil lamps and globes. He has managed to preserve the aged feel of the establishment while incorporating modern facilities such as Wi-Fi. The charm of the small hotel also lies in its environment, the tourist area of ​​Shinagawa, which allows customers to experience a lively Japanese-style daily routine. The numerous restaurants nearby offer quality Japanese and international cuisine, and the hotel also offers delivery prepared by nearby establishments. The staff members have all previously worked for five-star hotels and thus the service is of utmost quality with customer demand always catered to.

The name of the hotel is a nod to the neighbourhood’s past. Travellers took this route to one of two cities, Edo or Kyoto. Shinagawa was where numerous stables were located, the last step before a long drive. Bam means horse and ba place in Japanese, so the area was commonly called Bamba. This name, adopted by the hotel, underlines its strong attachment to tradition despite the urban expansion of Tokyo. An ideal place to rest up in one of the city’s quieter districts, before plunging into the bubbling center of the Japanese capital.