TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET: Crafting Connection in Shibuya

In the heart of Tokyo’s Shibuya district – between the youthful buzz of Harajuku and the neon blur of the Shibuya Scramble – TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET offers a boutique hospitality experience that’s as much about feeling good as it is about doing good. Opened in 2017 with just 15 guest rooms, the hotel redefines what it means to travel consciously, blurring the lines between luxury, sustainability, and local connection.

A modern multi-story hotel building with layered balconies and greenery, with a sign reading "TRUNK (HOTEL)" in the foreground.

Photo: Courtesy of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

From the moment you step off the street and pass under the limbs of a towering zelkova tree at the entrance, it’s clear this isn’t your typical Tokyo stay. The building’s charcoal facade and minimalist geometry hide an interior that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive. Furniture made by Japanese artisans, recycled materials given new life, and curated artworks that rotate alongside permanent installations tell a story of thoughtful craftsmanship and quiet, but impactful, environmental stewardship. From the shampoo in your bathroom to the recycled bikes parked out front, the hotel’s guiding philosophy is embedded into everything you see.

Modern hotel lobby featuring black walls, wood paneling, a glass display case, potted plants, and abstract wall art. The TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET sign is visible, adding to the stylish and contemporary atmosphere

Photo: Courtesy of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

Modern lounge area at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET with tan leather sofas, armchairs, a large potted plant, hanging light fixtures, and a bar in the background. The space is softly lit and offers a chic, contemporary vibe

Modern hotel lounge with beige sofas, a large wooden coffee table, decorative hanging wooden sculptures, and. a potted plant at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET.

A modern bar with a wooden counter, glassware, and liquor bottles at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, featuring a large neon sign reading "TRUNK (BAR)" above the counter.

Designed to immerse guests in what the brand calls “socializing” and “localization,” this stay layers meaning into every detail. The interiors, conceived by Jamo Associates, with architectural design by MOUNT FUJI ARCHITECTS STUDIO, reflect what they call “Tokyo Design” – a thoughtful blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary minimalism. Each guest room is a singular expression, furnished with custom pieces and local artwork that honor both the heritage and future of Japanese design. No two rooms are the same, so every visit feels like a unique experience.

Modern living room with dark gray/navy sofas, a large wooden coffee table, tall plant, window blinds, and a framed poster on the wall featuring a person in sunglasses.

Modern loft-style living room/hotel room with a wooden coffee table, gray/navy sofa, large windows with dark blinds, indoor tree, and a visible bedroom through glass doors—evoking the chic vibe of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET.

Modern kitchenette/bar at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, featuring a wooden island, a sleek black cabinet, hanging lights, and a glass door leading to the bedroom in a minimalist room.

A neatly made bed with white sheets with two folded shirts on top, a large wall-mounted TV, framed photos, and two wall lamps in a minimalist TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET bedroom.

A large beige cushioned seating area with three upright backrests, each featuring a small gray pillow, sits against a white wall

Modern bathroom at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET with white tiled walls, a rectangular sink, black fixtures, hand soap, two candles, neatly folded towels, and a hanging organizer

Amenities and materials used throughout the rooms are sourced from or inspired by Tokyo itself – including iron factory remnants turned into hangers and sanitary boxes – adding a subtle but powerful sense of narrative to the space.

Minimalist desk setup at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, featuring a wall-mounted lamp, framed photos, a phone, notepad, papers, tissue box, and a small flower vase against a white wall.

This ethos extends to the minibar, where you’ll find hyper-local treats like Shibuya Beer and Shibuya Cola (a fizzy ode to the iconic crossing down the road), and the communal lounge space, which doubles as a gallery-meets-living room.

A pencil and notepad are placed on a black felt pad next to a pamphlet titled “Coexist with Woods” by Ryushi Yamashiki, set on a wooden desk

A bottle labeled "RELAXING" sits on a white surface next to an instruction card, capturing the chic vibe of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET with its stylish design and thoughtful ingredients list.

A white bowl holds coffee drip bags and sugar packets next to four white mugs on a dark surface

A nod to locality continues into the konbini-concept shop next door, TRUNK(STORE), where visitors can pick up the same mugs and tableware used in the hotel – each piece made in collaboration with the Green Life 21 Project, using crushed and repurposed dishware from restaurants and schools across Japan.

A modern storefront at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET called TRUNK(STORE) with large glass windows and doors, minimalist black-framed seating outside, and shelves with products visible inside.

A minimalist retail store interior at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET features white shelves displaying neatly organized clothing, books, and lifestyle products; large windows provide natural light

Shelves stocked with various packaged goods, bottles, and containers in a well-lit, organized store interior at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

A minimalist store interior at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET features white shelving, a refrigerator stocked with beverages, a counter with a menu above, and various packaged goods and dried herbs on display

When hunger strikes, the hotel’s on-site restaurant offers a full sensory dining experience that feels more like a house party than a formal affair. TRUNK (KITCHEN) leans into Japanese-Western fusion, with open-kitchen seating and a private chef’s table where you can dine just steps away from the action.

Modern restaurant interior at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, featuring a wooden counter, brown chairs, pendant lights, a large vase with greenery, and an open kitchen in the background

A small, modern dining area at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET features wooden tables, black chairs, hanging black pendant lights, and a framed artwork on a beige wall

A dimly lit restaurant dining area next to the kitchen at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET features a metal table, black chairs, pendant lights, and a framed black-and-white portrait on a white tiled wall. A plant is partially visible in the foreground.

A stainless steel table with black chairs is set next to the kitchen in TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, featuring wine fridges, hanging lights, and utensils on a tiled wall.

A minimalist restaurant dining area at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET features wooden floors, light-colored walls, simple tables and chairs, and modern artwork on the walls

TRUNK’s version of hospitality goes deeper than soft sheets and sleek surfaces – it invites you to consider how the spaces we inhabit reflect the neighborhoods they’re part of, and how the smallest acts (like choosing local snacks or sipping from a repurposed ceramic mug) can contribute to something larger.

Modern kitchen area in a room at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET with wood-paneled walls and an island, grey tiled floor, sleek black countertop, large windows, and a staircase with metal railing in the background

Photo: Courtesy of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

What sets this hotel apart isn’t just its style (though that certainly helps), but its ability to make staying in Tokyo feel like connecting – to a neighborhood, to a culture, to an ethos.

Modern TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET room with two double beds, two top bunk beds, a large green sectional sofa, and a wooden coffee table with minimalist decor

Photo: Courtesy of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET is less about the spectacle of travel and more about the subtleties – the details that make a stay feel personal, purposeful, and rooted. It’s a rare place where architecture, culture, and social responsibility coexist in harmony, right in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world.

Modern open-plan living space at TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, featuring wood finishes, a kitchen area, dining table, gray sofa, large windows, indoor plants, and abundant natural light streaming in

Photo: Courtesy of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

Modern open-plan living and dining area with wooden furniture and gray sofas, pendant lights and minimalist decor

Photo: Courtesy of TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

What: TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET
Where: 5-31 Jingumae Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0001 Japan
How much: Rooms start at approximately $422 per night
Design draws: This 15-room boutique hotel offers a quiet retreat in the bustling area of Shibuya. The interiors, enhanced by rotating art installations and locally-sourced, eco-conscious materials, create a serene, modern sanctuary that celebrates both Tokyo’s vibrant culture and its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Book it: TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET

Photography by Maivy Tran, unless otherwise noted.

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