Muji is a Japanese brand that offers a variety of items with minimalist designs and neutral colors based on the concept of “quality products without brands”. You can find everything there, from clothing (men, women and children) to storage accessories, household linen, beauty care and stationery, with a studied sobriety in common. For a while now, Muji has been developing hotels, including one in Tokyo. But we also find Muji in the rental of stays
Already hotels with the Muji brand
The company opened Muji Hotel Ginza in Tokyo in 2019 and operates hotels in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shenzhen. Unlike Muji city hotels, designed for short-term guests, the Muji basic program offers rural houses for medium and long-term accommodation.
Renovation of old houses in Japan
Ryohin Keikaku, owner of lifestyle brand Muji, has started renovating old houses and other unused buildings in Japan to use as accommodation for travelers.
The company began in August by opening a renovated farmhouse built in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, more than 100 years ago. The single-story Muji Kamogawa base has a total area of 156 square meters and retains much of its original atmosphere. Muji brand household items and furniture provide visitors with a comfortable stay.
Other stay offers could be proposed
Ryohin Keikaku hopes that Kamogawa Farm will attract people who want to stay there for a week’s working holiday, for example. The house will serve as a prototype for similar housing elsewhere.
Those staying at the Muji base can enjoy various culinary and agricultural experiences, including locally grown food and farm tours. Breakfast and dinner are included in the form of packaged curry, sweets and other Muji branded food items. For an additional fee, locally made food items can be added.
Agricultural experiences include harvesting produce from nearby fields and feeding livestock.
Reasonable prices
Prices start at 55,000 yen (around 400 euros) for a three-day, two-night stay for up to five people. Airbnb started taking reservations at the end of July and the house is fully booked until February 2024.
So far, around a third of bookings come from abroad, particularly from Asia and Europe. “We are surprised, because the reaction was stronger than expected. Opening during the summer vacation period was probably timely,” said Takeshi Hirokawa of the social good business unit of Ryohin Keikaku, which manages the Muji base.
