NOHGA HOTEL UENO in tokyo connects travelers to local craftsmen and artists

located in downtown tokyo, NOHGA HOTEL UENO provides travelers with unique experiences that focus on its unusual neighborhood, ueno, which has retained its cultural identity throughout the ages, from the edo, meiji, taisho, and showa to today’s heisei period. from guided bike tours, to sake glass seminars, and japanese family crest cutting workshops, the hotel collaborates with local specialists to provide a window into the culture and traditions of the area.

all images courtesy of NOHGA HOTEL UENO

a high-ceiling lobby gallery welcomes guests into the NOHGA HOTEL UENO, which, depending on the time of day, can transform from a cafe to dining space to bar. modern art is exhibited on the walls of this space, which changes periodically to include art and products created by local craftsmen. above the lobby gallery, the 2F library lounge is available to both hotel guests and restaurant guests, offering a space surrounded by elected vintage furniture and art pieces designed by local and foreign artists. two open terraces, one on the first floor and one on the second, offer a relaxing atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a meal or drink surrounded by greenery.

the hotel features a wide collection of contemporary works by local artists and designers from japan and around the world, curated by mr. teruo kurosaki and mr. hozu yamamoto. with the contribution of art center 3331 arts chiyoda, the first floor gallery display rotates every few months with works by artists and designers for both exhibition and sale. additionally, NOHGA HOTEL UENO features a curated collection of original products created by local craftsmen, which can be found in various contexts around the hotel. in this way, the hotel aims to introduce its guests to the studios and shops in the neighborhood, which produce these personal, unique pieces.

all rooms are characterized by refined japanese features, while they also include original items and artworks hand-crafted by the hotel’s neighbors, introducing guests to the ueno area. other amenities include Bistro NOHGA, an all-day restaurant serving a contemporary menu with ingredients that come from local shops, rental bikes by tokyobike, a bicycle created with an eye for both functionality and design for riding around tokyo, as well as a 24-hour fitness center and laundry service.