[Okazaki city] Fun and Interesting Micro Hotel "ANGLE"

15 minutes walk from Meitetsu "Higashi Okazaki" station. "Micro Hotel ANGLE" opened in June 2020. This small hotel is a renovated camera shop that is said to be the oldest in Okazaki city. There are 6 completely private rooms in total. Although it is a minimalist space, it is attracting attention as a new base that changes the angle (perspective) of the fun and enjoyment of Okazaki City.

We interviewed the owner, Mr. Iida.

Because it's a place I don't know,
I want to create a place where people can gather

Owner Kei Iida

– Iida-san, you are from Yamanashi Prefecture. Why did you decide to move to Okazaki?

Mr. Iida: "I was born in Yamanashi Prefecture and joined a local Yamanashi bank. When I was a bank employee, I attended a workshop at Job Hyakka in Tokyo and learned about a small business support organization called "Oka-Biz" in Okazaki City! I decided to leave my job as a banker and move to Okazaki City.

Camping Office osoto in Okazaki City / Reprinted (https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/227070)

Mr. Iida: "I worked there for about a year, and started up and managed a co-working space at Snow Peak Business Solutions' Camping Office osoto.

When I came to Okazaki, I didn't have many friends or acquaintances, so I wanted to create a place where people of the same generation could come together and do something interesting. If you create a place and hold an event there, I think many people will come. That's why I started a coworking space, and that led to the creation of 'Micro Hotel ANGLE.' ”

It's an interesting place, so you need an "accommodation"!

– I think it's amazing that you're trying to build an inn in Okazaki City. Please tell us how you started Micro Hotel ANGLE.

Mr. Iida: "About three years ago, I participated in a government renovation school (a place to learn how to renovate vacant houses and conduct private business), and as a team we were thinking about renovating a property that was under challenge.

A map of Kousei Street in the hall

Iida: "When I was thinking about where to actually open an inn, I found it interesting that the area around Kosei-dori has a good balance of old and new independent stores, such as Ryujo Onsen, which was established in 1919, and Kikuya, a Western-style restaurant that has been around for 90 years, as well as an increasing number of nice select stores. I found it interesting that there is a good balance between old and new independent shops.

However, there are no places to stay around here... Every time my friends come to Okazaki, they often tell me what an interesting town it is, and I thought that if there was an inn, they would stay longer and more interesting people would gather. That's why I decided to try it myself."

Old appearance / Reprinted (https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/227070)

Renovated appearance

– I heard that this place used to be a camera shop.

Mr. Iida: "I attacked several houses when I was looking for a property, but I had no luck. Then I was introduced to this place. I learned that it was originally a small camera shop, the oldest in Okazaki, and that the first floor was a store and the second and third floors were residences, and the terrace on the top floor was very attractive."

Reprinted (https://camp-fire.jp/projects/view/227070)

Mr. Iida: "We decided on this location and did crowdfunding at the same time as the renovation, and with the support of many people, it was completed."

Emphasis on each "story"
Design and interior

– Please tell us about your thoughts on the design of the building during the renovation.

Mr. Iida: "The design was done by 'studio36,' a company that helped us during the renovation school. For about two and a half years from the conception to the construction, we placed a great deal of importance in discussing our values, such as what we wanted the inn to be like. We especially wanted to emphasize the importance of 'story'. We incorporated objects made by local people into the hotel design to let people know the charms of Okazaki through these objects."

Mr. Iida: "For example, the ceiling is made of scrap wood from a local wood shop, which we scraped clean ourselves and had a carpenter make. Actually, this scrap wood was the material used in a social experiment to widen the sidewalks on Kousei Street."

– It's wonderful that each item has a story.

Mr. Iida: Other things like the chairs for the counter were made by a local lumber company. The chandeliers in the common space were purchased at La Trouvaille, an antique store just a few minutes' walk from here.

Mr. Iida: "We also have chairs from 'wood and leather aoyama,' which is active in the Shitara area of Okumikawa, and lighting from Hitotoki, a furniture and lifestyle store in Inabu, Okumikawa."

Mr. Iida: "Also, the reception counter at the hotel was purchased from an interior store in Okazaki called FILT. when they relocated their place."

Mr. Iida: "I definitely wanted to install Tobimatsu Lamps' lighting on the counter even before we decided on the design of this place."

Mr. Iida: "The stepping stones were purchased from items that had been scratched and were no longer available as products. We selected objects that each have their own story, and had the space designed to match them."

A simple yet fully private room

– The rooms have a nice atmosphere too!

Mr. Iida: "We have a total of six single and twin rooms on the second and third floors. We placed importance on the fact that they are private rooms, not dormitory rooms. We made the rooms completely private so that you can socialize while still being able to rest in the privacy of your room."

Mr. Iida: "The stand lights in each room are custom-made for this hotel in cooperation with FILT. Also, the bed mattresses were custom-made by Takikou Sewing in Okazaki, which handles high-density, highly resilient urethane products.

– There is also a terrace on the 3rd floor, so it is nice to have a more open feeling.

Mr. Iida: "The terrace was one of the deciding factors in choosing this property. You can relax here at night, soak up the morning sun, or bask in the sun. It's good that you can use it in a variety of ways."

In the hall, there is also an original coffee drip bag roasted by Meal Cafe.