There are book lovers, and then there are bibliophiles. Either way, it's a dream come true for all book addicts out there to stay at Book & Bed Japan, where guests are tucked in literally inside a bookshelf.
According to the hostel's website, this is "an accommodation bookshop", which means typical hotel comfort is not their priority. There will be no queen-sized beds, no fluffy duvets, and no room service.
Guests will sleep inside little cubes of bookshelves, where thousands of books are nestled with you. The owners want to create an experience where book lovers are offered a more special reading and sleeping experience, therefore only minimum hotel amenities are included.
"What we do offer is an experience while reading a book (or comic book). An experience shared by everyone at least once - the blissful 'instant of falling asleep'", the website says. "It is already 2 a.m. but you think just a little more... with heavy drooping eyelids you continue reading only to realize you have fallen asleep... Dozing off obliviously during your treasured past time is the finest 'moment of sleep,' don't you agree?"
This unique hostel first opened its doors in Tokyo, where it was immediately met with overwhelming success. Now, another branch opened in Kyoto, where guests can stay with a rate ranging from $39 a night.
There are no private rooms here; patrons are just offered a choice to stay in a bunk or behind the bookshelves. There 2 types of beds: (compact:80.7 x 33.5 inches or standard: 80.7 x 50.8 inches). Each space is provided with your chosen bed, a book light, a pillow, a clothes hanger, an electrical outlet, and wifi. Guests will also have to share a bathroom and shower space with other guests.
Over 5,000 books are available at Book & Bed (both in Japanese and English), although none of them are for sale. The majority of the room rate is used for the maintenance of the books, so that other guests can enjoy the same magical amount of reading experience in their stay.
Falling asleep while reading a good book is always so satisfying. So why not fall asleep while being surrounded by thousands of books? Another reason to go to Japan immediately.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
