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Japan Today
3 days ago
- Japan Today
Stay in style: Art hotels and creative lodging in Kyoto
Quirky art awaits at the Hotel Anteroom Kyoto throughout the entirety of its grounds. By Kimberly Hughes As with other highly-traveled destinations, Japan has no shortage of unique accommodation options. These include numerous inns incorporating explicitly artistic touches, such as one styled around a treehouse in Okinawa and another that's a denim-themed guesthouse in the Kojima district of Kurashiki, Okayama (known as Japan's 'jeans capital'). This article introduces two artistically themed inns in Kyoto to keep on your radar for future getaways. While differing from the more traditional accommodation experience in Japan's ancient capital, such as a stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) or a machiya (townhouse), both of these options offer an opportunity to experience Kyoto's local culture through the unique lens of innovative modern art and design. Ace Hotel Kyoto: Portland cool meets Kyoto craftsmanship Featuring a copper donut-shaped front desk, with unique overhead lighting and wooden beams, Ace Hotel Kyoto is infused with art on every level. Image: Kimberly Hughes Established in 2020, this hotel is part of the global Ace Hotel network, whose first location was repurposed in 1999 from a fisherman's inn in the U.S. city of Portland, Oregon — setting the tone for the brand's ethos of craftsmanship and community. Ace Hotel Kyoto similarly represents a restoration project, featuring two legendary architects working one century apart. It is housed in the atmospheric Shinpuhkan complex, which was designed in the 1920s as the Kyoto Central Telephone Office by leading modernist Yoshida Tetsuro. The present-day structure features the work of Kengo Kuma — including a majestic kigumi (wood joinery) timber ceiling — with additional collaboration from Atelier Ace and Commune Design. Equal parts cozy and chic, the Ace Hotel Kyoto's lobby area invites lounging with friends while gazing at onsite art installations. Image: Kimberly Hughes The hotel grounds brim with the works of local and far-flung artists and designers alike. Lobby accents include copper light fixtures, works from famed katazome (stencil dyeing) artist Yunoki Samiro and verdant foliage homed in earthy, chunky pots created by artist and fisherman Kazunori Hamana. The first-floor exhibition space features artworks from guest creators, which include a rotating lineup of international, multigenre artists-in-residence. A long working table and comfy couch area serve as a community hub — perfect for enjoying a seasonal latte from the adjacent Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a Portland classic. The chilled-out playlist features everything from ambient jazz to funk, with live DJs often spinning for events. Artworks also dot its three onsite restaurants: Kosa, featuring impeccably-presented seasonal local cuisine; Mr. Maurice's Italian, whose specialties include wood-fired pizzas and rooftop cocktails; and Piopiko, an uber-stylish bar and taco lounge. Even the food is an artful affair at the Ace Hotel — including this matcha-dusted, vegan black sesame panna cotta at its stylish Kosa restaurant. Image: Kimberly Hughes While visitors are welcome to enjoy this veritable festival of art in the hotel's restaurant and common spaces, in-room features are of course available exclusively to overnight guests. These include soaking tubs, vinyl turntables, Tivoli radios and Gibson guitars; along with exclusively-designed fabrics, furniture inspired by Charlotte Perriand's work during her World War II-era Japan sojourn, and in-room artworks from Japan's Mingei folk artist movement. While such extravagance naturally comes with a price, off-season rates do run lower; and there are also special deals for Japan residents. Besides its design-oriented accolades, the hotel has additionally received recognition for its diversity-related efforts — including a 2025 Japan Travel Award for its consistent support of LGBTQ+ guests. Hotel Anteroom Kyoto: A contemporary stay with artistic flair Cafe by day and bar in the evening, this space also serves as a spot to gaze at creative art installations. Image: Kimberly Hughes Lying four kilometers due south, this hotel — in the midrange budget category — is significantly more compact in size than the Ace Hotel Kyoto, and offers an altogether different vibe; although no less of an artistic experience. Fronted by a rock garden, along with strategically-positioned lights that cast a soft glow after dark, this inn exudes style even before you first enter. Once a student dormitory, its interior has been renovated in the style of a smart boutique hotel, replete with clean neon-white signage and a spacious area for guest dining. There is also a separate café, open to the public, that turns into a chilled-out bar at nighttime (think Portishead over a dram of whisky). Artistic elements also abound here. There are two styles of rooms — concept and standard — with those in the concept category each showcasing the works of a specific artistic individual or entity; and interesting artworks even featuring in the standard rooms. The first-floor lobby also serves as a space to host exhibitions and events, along with pop-up shops selling artworks and various goods. Even walking down the hallway at the Hotel Anteroom Kyoto feels artsy. Image: Kimberly Hughes In one recent exhibition, titled 'The Box of Memories', the first-floor main space and wall corridor were lined with works that recounted the history of Kumagusuku — another local art hostel, with roots in the Setouchi Art Triennale event, which closed its doors earlier in 2025. All featured artists have a close connection to Kyoto, so between the deeply local exhibitions and the informational clearinghouse-style space filled with racks of pamphlets covering the city's artistic happenings, a stay at the Hotel Anteroom Kyoto affords an intimate window into Kyoto's artistic scene. Since the hotel also has locations in Naha, Okinawa and Seoul, Korea that feature a similar vibe, the next time you visit those cities you can take the opportunity to get artsy there, as well. Find more information on these art-oriented Kyoto hotels here: Ace Hotel Kyoto 245-2 Kurumayacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 604-8185, Japan Tel: 075 229 9000 Website: Ace Hotel Kyoto Hotel Anteroom Kyoto 7 Aketa-cho, Higashi-Kujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8044 Japan Tel: 075 681 5656 Website: Hotel Anteroom Kyoto © Japan Today
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A clothing store, tap room and dessert food truck are now open in Milwaukee's north suburbs
Three new businesses have recently opened in Milwaukee's northern suburbs and West Bend: a cookie food truck, a clothing store and a tap room. Here's more about the businesses that opened their doors in January: Have a craving for good old-fashioned milk and cookies? Milk & Cookies Food Truck will bake homemade cookies and deliver them to your door. Some of the Milk & Cookies offerings, according to its website, are a holiday-themed box with an assortment of cookies ― candy cane, red velvet and caramel apple, an Old School Favorites box (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and peanut butter), an exclusively chocolate chip box, and a chocolate delight box, with chocolate chip, brownie and M&M cookies. The Milk & Cookies Food Truck delivers to Sussex, Lisbon, Lannon, Merton, Colgate, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, Brookfield and Waukesha. The owners, Scott and Kimberly Hughes, also own and operate Tundra Treats, an ice cream food truck they opened three years more information, visit La Belle Vie Clothing Co. opened Jan. 29 in a historic building at 229 S. Main St. in downtown West Bend. Owner Aly Renard said the store has a variety of clothing and accessories for adults, including a men's section that is already a "big hit" with customers. A jewelry person also works on weekends, selling jewelry and managing a jewelry charm bar where customers can build their own charm bracelets. "West Bend has a lot to offer and has potential for growth," Renard said about opening her business there. The store's hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information and for store updates, visit Tequileria & Tap Room in West Bend, which opened at 1539 N. Main St. Jan. 30, offers a full bar, a wide selection of tequila and a self-service tap wall. It has indoor and outdoor seating. Its hours are 11 a.m. to bar time Thursday to Sunday. For more information, visit The Kettle Moraine YMCA (West Washington location in West Bend) officially became a 24/7 facility as of Jan. 2. With a fob key, members can have access to the Y 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. There is no additional membership charge. Members will have access to the facility at 1111 W. Washington St. for a one-time fee of $25 with a membership. For more information, call 262-334-3405 or visit More: These Milwaukee area outdoor rinks are ready for ice skating or plan to open this season More: Polka, a stein-holding contest and fire-poked beer: What to know about Bockfest West Bend Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These three new businesses just opened in Sussex and West Bend
