City in Japan near Mount Fuji turns empty commercial spaces into lodgings for tourists

In Shizuoka, Japan, commercial spaces are being turned into guest accommodation to draw more visitors and help revitalise the city’s economy

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The lobby of an unused commercial space that has been converted into guest accommodation in Shizuoka, Japan. Photo: Instagram/marii_bros

Published: 12:45pm, 12 Feb 2025

Vacant commercial spaces are being turned into guest accommodation in the central Japan city of Shizuoka, offering visitors an alternative to conventional lodgings and helping revitalise the local economy.

“Birupaku”, a term combining the Japanese words for “building” and “accommodation”, refers to guest lodgings created within existing commercial spaces. Unlike traditional hotels, these Birupaku facilities do not provide meals and encourage guests to dine at nearby restaurants and engage with the local community.

The idea was conceived by Takahito Kojima, 53, president of CSA Real Estate, as the number of the company’s unleased properties around the city’s central railway station increased, raising concerns about urban decline.

Working with a local shopping district association, the company launched the initiative in 2020 and has since readied 12 rooms in seven locations within a 15-minute walk of the station, with each room capable of accommodating three to seven people.

The nameplate on the door of one of the commercial properties in Shizuoka that has been converted into guest accommodation. Photo: Instagram/marii_bros

The lounge area of a vacant commercial space converted into guest accommodation. Some rooms have cushions made from Enshu textiles traditionally woven in western Shizuoka prefecture. Photo: Instagram/birupaku_shizuoka

The accommodation features spacious interiors similar to hotel suites, with modern, stylish designs. Some rooms have cushions made from Enshu textiles traditionally woven in western Shizuoka prefecture, while others display plastic model parts from Tamiya, a major model kit manufacturer based in the city.