About the Bed & Art Project (BnA)

The Bed & Art Project (BnA) is an art hospitality project that aims to support Japanese artists while providing art-loving travelers with the unique experience of “staying in a work of art” in Japan.

Many talented contemporary artists in Japan struggle to make a living through their art alone. BnA was founded around the idea that there was an opportunity to create a new connection between Japanese artists and international travelers interested in discovering Japan’s local art communities.

In an effort to support both Japanese artists and art aficionados visiting Japan, BnA developed a mutually beneficial ecosystem where the two can interact. This system was brought to life through independent art hotel rooms, where artists receive a share of the revenue from each room booking, and visitors get the chance to stay inside a functional work of art.

The first two projects, BnA Gallery Ikebukuro and BnA Machiya Kyoto, were released on Airbnb in 2015 as experimental proof-of-concept projects. The projects attracted attention from both Japanese and international media and helped demonstrate the potential of connecting travelers with local artists through hospitality.

Following these experiments, BnA Hotel Koenji opened in 2016, bringing the concept into a permanent hotel and connecting guests with the creative community of Koenji.

ABOUT BnA HOTEL KOENJI

As the first step, BnA opened its central building in March 2016, featuring a café/bar and two art hotel rooms. Today, the space is home to Front Desk, a neighborhood bar and gathering place for locals, artists, bartenders, event organizers, and visitors.

Front Desk regularly hosts pop-up bars, events, and collaborations with local bartenders and event organizers, giving the space a constantly changing character and offering guests an opportunity to experience different sides of Koenji’s local community and nightlife.

About BnA Team

BnA was started by a multi-disciplinary team of founders.

(From left)
Yu “Taz” Tazawa is an entrepreneur from Kobe and co-founder and CEO of BnA. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he worked at the Boston Consulting Group and Lumosity before founding BnA in 2015. He has worked across business development, hospitality, art, and other ventures in Japan and abroad.

Keigo Fukugaki is a designer, architect, and co-founder of BnA from Los Angeles. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he worked at Gensler and other design firms before becoming independent. His work spans architecture, interior design, urban development, and other creative projects.

Kenji Daikoku is an art producer and co-founder of BnA from Aomori. Based in Koenji, he works across art direction, public art, community projects, and place-making. He is also the founder of Daikoku Production, which develops art and community projects in collaboration with local communities, businesses, and artists.

Yuto Maeda is an entrepreneur from Nagoya and one of BnA’s co-founders. After graduating from Kyoto University, he worked at Oracle and Simon-Kucher Partners as a consultant before becoming involved in business development and operations for BnA.

Media:

You can download high resolution photos from here
For media inquiries, interviews, or other requests, please get in touch at bnafrontdeskbar@gmail.com

Project Inquiries:

BnA has worked on a range of projects connecting Japanese artists with businesses, communities, and audiences in Japan and abroad.
In the past, our team has:

• Produced murals for offices, shops, public spaces, and events

• Organized group and solo exhibitions with Japanese artists in Tokyo and internationally

• Organized art and community events, including Roppongi Art Night

• Produced merchandise with Japanese artists

• Connected media with artists and creative projects in Japan

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any ideas or project inquiries at bnafrontdeskbar@gmail.com

Thank you!