Explera DMC Japan books apartment hotels for families and small groups who want kitchens, washers and several bedrooms behind one door. Two October 2026 examples show the format: Sumu Asakusa South opened in Tokyo on 10 October with rooms for up to eight guests, and MIMARU SUITES Kyoto CENTRAL was selected in the MICHELIN Guide.
An apartment hotel is a licensed hotel whose rooms work like flats: a kitchen, a living and dining area, often a washer-dryer, and beds for four, six or eight people in one unit. For a family, or for a group of friends travelling together, it often costs less than two or three standard rooms.
What opened in October 2026?
- Sumu Asakusa South, Tokyo. 17 rooms between Asakusa and Kuramae, about three minutes on foot from Kuramae Station. Rooms sleep four to eight guests, and every room has a kitchen and a washer-dryer. There is also a pet-friendly room.
- MIMARU SUITES Kyoto CENTRAL, Kyoto. 19 suites of 85 square metres, each with two or three bedrooms and room for four to six guests, about three minutes on foot from Karasuma Oike Station. It is MIMARU's first property in the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection.
When does an apartment hotel suit your clients?
- Families with children. Separate bedrooms, a kitchen for simple meals and a washing machine on a long trip. See our family travel guide and our guide to multigenerational trips.
- Small groups of friends. Four to eight people who want to stay together rather than along a corridor.
- Longer stays. A week in one city is easier with laundry and a fridge.
What do we check before booking?
We check that the property is a licensed hotel rather than a vacation rental, the hours the front desk is staffed, how check-in works, how often rooms are cleaned, and the exact bed layout for each unit. Many apartment hotels have no restaurant, so we plan breakfast and dinners nearby. For the difference from private rentals, see our vacation rentals guide, and for room layouts, our accommodation types guide.
Sources: Sumu Asakusa South official site (Japanese) and MICHELIN Guide: MIMARU SUITES Kyoto CENTRAL.
FAQ
What is an apartment hotel in Japan? A licensed hotel with flat-style rooms: a kitchen, a living and dining area and several beds in one unit, often with a washer-dryer. It suits families and small groups.
How many people can share one apartment hotel room? It depends on the property. At Sumu Asakusa South the largest room sleeps up to eight; MIMARU SUITES Kyoto CENTRAL takes four to six per suite.
Is an apartment hotel the same as a vacation rental? No. An apartment hotel operates under a hotel licence with staff and set check-in rules. A vacation rental (minpaku) is a private home rented under different rules.
Do apartment hotels serve meals? Many do not have a restaurant. We plan breakfast and dinners nearby, or clients cook simple meals in the kitchen.
Planning family or small-group stays for your clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
