
The Idolmaster cast will be waiting to serve travelers.
Success in the Japanese idol singer world is something that often has to be built up from a grass-roots level. Because of that, it’s not that unusual for up-and-coming idols to still have to work some sort of non-show business job on the side to make ends meet.
So it wouldn’t be too shocking to find out that the front desk clerk checking you into your hotel is also an idol singer. What would be a serious surprise, though, is if she’s also an anime character, but that’s exactly what’s going to be happening at one hotel in Tokyo.
When customers walk into the lobby of Building 1 of the Hen na Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi, in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood, there’ll be a contingent of characters from anime/video game franchise The Idolmaster waiting, in hologram form, to help them get checked in.
▼ It’s all in keeping with the chain’s philosophy, since Henn na Hotel translates to “Weird Hotel.”
In addition to the hologram anime girl check-in service, there’ll also be Idolmaster art throughout the hotel, with decorations in the lobby, rooftop terrace, hotel restaurant and bar, and all 217 guestrooms in the building.
As an added bonus, the in-room TV programming will feature not only preexisting Idolmaster anime, but also new video content that can’t be seen anywhere other than Henn na Hotel.
In addition to the otaku-oriented aesthetics, the hotel also boasts a location close to the cultural attractions of the Asakusa and Ueno districts, and also has easy subway access to the anime fan mecca of Akihabara.
▼ Certain accommodation packages also include exclusive Henn na Hotel/Idolmaster merchandise, such as luggage tags, key rings, leather trays, and reusable shopping bags.
The hotel’s Idolmaster theme will be running from January 14 to February 15, with guestroom reservations for that period opening on October 30. And if you want your hotel to be weirder still, there’s always the Henn na Hotel branch with robot dinosaurs.
Hotel information
Henn na Hotel Tokyo Asakusa Tawaramachi / 変なホテル東京浅草田原町
Address: Tokyo-to, Taito-ku, Kotobuki 3-19-8
東京都台東区寿3-19-8
Website
Source, images: Press release
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where yes, he agrees that it’s weird that the hotel insists its name should be spelled “Henn.”







Samurai, ninja, and anime butlers join dinosaur staff at Tokyo’s “Weird Hotel”【Photos】
Hen na Hotel Haneda: What it’s really like to stay at Tokyo’s “Weird Hotel” with dinosaur robots
We spent a night in a Tokyo hotel staffed by robots 【Photos】
Early otaku gets the worm! Idol anime fans pluck Tokyo ad freebies before most people start work
Tokyo’s Muji Hotel now taking reservations, ready to provide lifestyle-brand comfort to travelers
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Anime and Hollywood movies cross over in new Universal Studios Japan merch collection
Pizza Hut Japan creates moon-viewing sukiyaki chrysanthemum pizza for tsukimi season
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Foreign travelers arrested in Japan following smash-and-grab robbery in Tokyo shopping mall
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
All-anime-themed hotel opening in Japan’s Tokorozawa Sakura Town【Photos】
Tokyo’s famous Lost in Translation hotel is closed
Tokyo hotel has a special room just for Gundam Gunpla plastic model builders【Photos】
Is this Hello Kitty hotel room in Tokyo good enough to impress an 8-year-old girl?
Spending a night in Tokyo’s most beautiful capsule hotel【Photos】
More than a capsule hotel, downtown Tokyo capsule ryokan is awesome, budget-friendly spot to stay
Breathtaking Tokyo hotel’s minimalist Zen design shows capsule hotels can be beautiful too【Pics】
Kingdom Hearts Keyblades open the doors at new Tokyo Disneyland hotel rooms【Photos】
There’s a Kingdom Hearts hotel room with a functioning Keyblade coming to Tokyo Disneyland【Pics】
Gigantic eight-floor anime figure shop skyscraper opening in Tokyo’s Akihabara this month
Japan Ninja Council produces first-ever official hotel room in Tokyo’s Ueno
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies