Travel Tech Tokyo:
This Quirky Hotel Chain Offers All Things Tokyo
Quirky and Always Changing
Under the brand concept of "a hotel that promises to change," the Henn na Hotel chain is known for the unique way it implements cutting-edge technology to ensure comfort, convenience, and enjoyment for guests. Its use of technology ranges from robots and holograms populating the unmanned reception to a fleet of useful gadgets in guest rooms and the lobby.
On its own, hen in Japanese is often used to signify something unusual, and people sometimes assume the hen in the hotel's name refers to its quirks. However, hen can also mean "change"; it is commonly found in compound words such as henko (modification), hendo (fluctuation), and henshin (metamorphosis).
"The name represents our promise of continual change," explains Ito Fumiki, manager of Henn na Hotel Tokyo Asakusa Tawaramachi. "Of course, guests do often choose to stay with us because of our unique features, which they are excited to see when they arrive."
First established in 2015 in a theme park in Nagasaki Prefecture, in Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu, the hotel chain now manages 20 domestic branches, in addition to two overseas locations in Seoul and New York City.
As a relatively young brand, Henn na Hotel was designed with Japan's current social needs—and its reputation for cutting-edge technology—in mind. "With Japan's decreasing population, the number of hotel industry workers is also gradually declining, although there is a significant inbound market," Ito says. "From the start, using robots was a way to reduce labor costs and make our hotel stand out from competitors."
"We are always looking for areas we can improve, both in terms of our facilities and management, and we prioritize customer feedback," Ito adds, citing how Henn na Hotel recently replaced many of its mattresses to suit international tastes.
Asakusa Branch Popular with International Visitors
Among Henn na Hotel's various locations, the Tokyo Asakusa Tawaramachi branch is one of the most popular with international visitors—and it is easy to see why.
Guests are greeted at the unmanned reception by holograms, including Henn na Hotel's characteristic dinosaurs as well as a rotating cast of Japanese cultural icons such as ninjas, samurai, and anime butlers. Other gadgets popular with guests include projection mapping in the lobby, steam closets to remove wrinkles from clothes, a vacuum pack to help fit a trip's worth of purchases into limited luggage space, and claw machine games. The hotel's corner suite and rooftop terrace offer a view of Tokyo Skytree, the metropolis's tallest structure.
Although the ratio of international to domestic visitors varies by branch, Ito says over 80% of the Asakusa Tawaramachi branch's guests hail from overseas. The Ginza branch sees similar numbers, and roughly half of guests at the hotel's other Tokyo locations are international, he adds.
Both inbound and domestic guests rate Henn na Hotel highly. "Many say the hotel itself is fun," Ito notes. "At the same time, we recently have been receiving many positive comments that the hotel—despite its name—is not too crazy, and that it offers a comfortable stay and is well-kept."
The location is also a draw. "Overseas visitors really enjoy the Asakusa area," Ito says. Asakusa is known for Sensoji Temple, with its distinctive Kaminarimon gate, and traditional atmosphere, among other attractions. As such, traditional Japanese motifs have been incorporated into the branch's communal spaces and some of the guest rooms.
Tokyo: The Cutting-Edge yet Traditional Gateway to Japan
Of course, guests venture forth to explore much more of the metropolis and beyond. "Although Asakusa is an extremely popular tourist spot in itself, visitors also use it as a base for longer stays to enjoy Tokyo overall," Ito says, noting that the area is accessible from both Haneda and Narita airports via direct train.
Out of Henn na Hotel's 20 domestic branches, seven are located in Tokyo, allowing guests to tailor their stay depending on their interests. Other branches provide easy access to the upscale Ginza neighborhood, popular areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya, as well as attractions such as Tokyo Disney Resort and Tokyo Tower.
"Tokyo is the gateway to Japan," Ito says, adding that guests will even pop out for a visit to Mt. Fuji from their hotel in the city. "It really is a starting point for visitors to enjoy the country as a whole."
In addition, Tokyo embodies Japan's duality of old and new. "International guests often say they could 'feel Japan' in historic areas like Asakusa," Ito says. "At the same time, Tokyo is a place where visitors can experience all the latest that Japan has to offer."
Going forward, Henn na Hotel is focused on continuing to raise its name recognition and expand its business. Ito cites collaborations—including using popular anime characters in its holograms, projection mapping, and concept rooms—as one such initiative.
With handy technology and unique experiences, choosing an unforgettable hotel is one of many ways visitors can enjoy their stay in Tokyo.
Henn na Hotel
Henn na Hotel
https://group.hennnahotel.com/Photos by Akiyoshi Yoko