Check in at Kyoto Bookstore Inn & Sleep Among 3,200 Books

Text & Photos / Mirror Weekly

This bookstore inn in Kyoto“BOOK AND BED TOKYO Kyoto”is quite unique, hidden on the 9th floor of a high-rise building. Taking the elevator up feels like entering a nightlife district — the entire building is almost entirely made up of bars and late-night restaurants. Once upstairs, there are no signs or directions, just a dark-colored door in front of you. With no buzzer or notice, when you push the door open, behind the dimly lit bar lies the inn.

In recent years, the concept of “pod living” has become popular across Asia. Similar to the shared dormitory concept of youth hostels, it focuses primarily on selling beds. But compared to traditional youth hostel bunk beds, it offers more privacy, and compared to capsule hotels, it provides more spaciousness and a sense of design. What makes pod living so appealing is that each small pod feels like a private, isolated space while still offering a complete personal area.

Japan’s hospitality industry is highly developed, and with limited personal living space in urban areas, it has naturally given rise to various types of commercial lodging designed to maximize small spaces — the “bookstore inn” is a prime example of this concept. For instance, the bar I entered after taking the elevator can barely fit three people standing. The tiny front desk handles all operations of the inn, and also sells alcohol, towels, toothbrushes, and other essentials.

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