I Opened a Hotel in Tokyo

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Just to clear up a couple of things that I didn't mention in the video (mostly because I didn't want to bore you guys): 1. We're calling it a hotel instead of an Airbnb because it's actually licensed as one -- the license to start a hotel in Japan is much harder to get than a standard Airbnb or "minpaku" license, and requires you to install more heavy-duty smoke detectors and fire safety-related things, including fire-resistant doors and walls, and also has more requirements regarding check-in and security than the Airbnb license. Why would we go through the trouble of getting this? Japan only allows minpaku-licensed properties to operate 180 days out of the year, while a hotel can operate all year. Does it look like most hotels? No, but it's still a hotel nonetheless! 2. Yes, the price may seem high, but this area of Tokyo is extremely expensive -- hotel rooms of a similar size to this house (600ft2/55m2) nearby (Ebisu and Roppongi, since Hiroo doesn't have any licensed hotel other than the US military-only New Sanno Hotel) tend to charge double of what we're charging, with the caveat that you can only stay as two, maybe three guests. In Besso Hiroo, your whole family may be able to stay over without having to get multiple rooms, since we have the pullout sofa. Sure, you can find more inexpensive options nearby, but they will be either business hotels or capsule hotels where you'll be sacrificing size and comfort.

[@Boomdizzle99]

Thank you for the explanation alex! So you can operate year round. Gotcha! I figured this place would lean more into the luxury/boutique side of things with all the money you guys put into it. Compared to staying at the 4 seasons or any luxury hotel in Tokyo I suppose your place would be amenable to those folks and be a more intimate place to stay over several days.

[@dragontalontsiawd]

@@TokyoPortfolio new sanno hotel for US military? Details for that please

[@TokyoPortfolio]

@@dragontalontsiawd It's a hotel in Hiroo that is only for active/retired military and their families as well as US diplomats

[@dragontalontsiawd]

@@TokyoPortfolio I am retired US military, Marines to be exact. I point in the right direction please? Also we will rent your place for the experience too. Thank you Mr. Shapiro lol

[@TokyoPortfolio]

@@dragontalontsiawd If you have a USID then you and your family can stay at the New Sanno, but feel free to stay at my place too!

[@AbroadinJapan]

Congratulations mate! House looks awesome, as does the bonsai! It almost looks otherworldly.

[@LarsDooD]

There's your next video location, mate!

[@krisstopher8259]

Hi Chris!

[@60vik]

Mister abroad hello!

[@TheKetchupPacket]

@@LarsDooD Just don't take Connor there.

[@garryferrington811]

You fellows are really settling into Japan.

[@sharlainjapan]

Love a good house makeover👌🏻👌🏻 Congrats guys, it looks amazing!! 🎉🎉

[@Allan_010]

First you, now Alex, who will be the next in your group to open a hotel?🤔

[@pobstrel]

​@@Allan_010Natuski could open a rock n roll themed bar/club!

[@marenhumblebee2736]

Is it a hotel? I wouldn't call it a hotel 🤔, but it's a great makeover!!!

[@torspedia]

Got another place to stay, added to my list, along with NekoNeko. 🙂

[@JunkFoodJapan]

Congratulations Brotha! Looks amazing !

[@Samilovescandy]

I love how you started off on selling places, opening your own Tokyo portfolio office to now opening a hotel. So proud of you

[@zachsouth314]

I'd go there just to drink copious amounts of wine whilst listening to music from the oven 😂

[@Danne89]

For the washing machine (and maybe the other appliances) I'd maybe add an english manual or some labels on the buttons. I would have no idea what to press. :D

[@erinnstreeter]

I bet you could use Google Lens, in a pinch.

[@Netro1992]

​@@erinnstreeter That's what my mother ended up doing while she visited me, but it certainly isn't foolproof, given lens was telling my mother one of the options was to "stretch" the clothes. I will leave it as an exercise to the reader to figure out what the actual translation is as a fun exercise.

[@KevinLambertperfected]

The dry bonsai really ties the room together man.

[@jazztheglass6139]

So much better than a rug

[@lloritoovidexequield.8609]

If I owned that house I wouldn't renovate it. The second floor bathroom toilet is a good idea, because if I were sleepy and had to pee, I'd probably fall down the stairs trying to make it to the first floor bathroom.

[@saberruntv]

its not only a good idea. its a requirement. basically in hotel norms there needs to be a source of water pretty much every couple of feets.

[@kassandrajohnson9241]

Kinda bummed about the removal of the window on the living room/kitchen floor (especially with the gorgeous but dark and moody aesthetic) and about not having any space to hang clothes, but it's very posh and I love the bonsais!

[@HeadsetRuler]

Sad to see that the roof remodeling got rid of the clothes drying racks, not everything can handle being machine-dried

[@xdeathknightx]

Looks great! I can understand the price can be a bit daunting for people, but it is doable if you have more than one person paying. One night is over 350 euro for a single evening on Booking, but multiple nights (like 9) it seems to settle at around 240 euro a night. Just with two people that is 120 euro per person. I've paid nearly that a night for a small hotel room just for myself in the thick of it in Shinjuku. But to go with your life partner or someone you are dating I wouldn't say it isn't that bad at that price point especially with the space you get, and saving money by making your own meals. But I am used to the new really high hotel prices in Japan.

[@portcitybrewer]

Good job! An incredible space created with yours and Yasu's vision.

[@thenesisk]

The dry bonsai really elevated the aesthetic the vibes.

[@JustPlainRob]

"Blackship Realty" from a westerner setting up shop in Tokyo is one of the most ruthless brandings I could have imagined. Commodore Perry out here building his housing empire.

[@ThePecunious]

Nice! I have been watching your videos of real estate presentations with Shayla and Chris for a long time. This is amazing hotel space. Your fees are not bad! I would definitely stay there! Love the high end everything and the dry bonsai work of art. Beautifully done! Bravo!

[@jpjay1584]

wow, nice, I might visit with my 2 adult kids. love the idea that up to 4 can stay there. the renovation turned out great and the area is nice. was checking Air Bnb already.

[@DeliciousPigeonCheez]

A really good and thoughtful use of what could have been a bit of an awkwardly shaped space, especially the rooftop balcony: it has been completely transformed!

[@g0d5m15t4k3]

I felt like it was perfect as it was when you purchased it. I like the check-in tablet at the entrance! I understand certain changes needed to be made to fit the new building code. Single family home isn't the same as a hotel. So things like hardwired fire alarms and no open flame made sense. Was it required to have a fireproof stair/hall? Or was that done for privacy? Even updating old appliances to the newer versions makes sense. The confusing part to me is totally changing the ground floor bathroom. I gasped and said "I'd kill for that bathroom!" when you showed *the original*, not the renovated one. I do household cleaning professionally. The tiling will be such a nuisance to keep clean. The old bathroom would have been so much easier to maintain. And losing the storage area to the left of the entrance feels wasted. The 1st floor with the kitchen, living, and dining is lovely. But again, not sure why the kitchen was redone. I understand you said to fit the sofa with the bed. But I must have missed why the hallway needed enclosed. The wood slat wall looks amazing. I like the mounted TV. The 2nd floor with the bedroom is fine. I love that you fit a queen sized bed. But I would have kept the hanging rod in the closet. Have the dresser too, though, because it gives options. Thank you for keeping the second toilet! And finally, the rooftop is lovely. The wood adds privacy. But I would have kept a laundry rod for drying still. Overall, it does look great. I think some functionality was lost by makng it into a hotel. I'm sure someone will love it. You picked an underrepresented market so it sounds like you will definitely get good business.

[@joshuafletcher991]

I believe they had to put in that new wall to close off the hallway due to fire regulations being more strict for buildings to be classified as a "hotel."

[@UnicornWarLord77]

Looks awesome! Price is perfectly reasonable as well for the location and size. Staying in a hotel that’s a house is freakin sick 🎉

[@DaRUde117]

honestly man, you nailed it. for what you guys are going for, the style, furnishing, etc are done just nicely. well done!

[@RamirezAcademy]

AMAZING & BEAUTIFUL! Hope we get a chance to stay there sir when we travel to Japan. Love your hotel and i think it's good business to have too! May your hotel be always booked! I'm from Manila, Philippines. ❤

[@Catcus]

I recommend putting something in the kitchen that will fit in the grooves on the sink. That way you can prep your ingredients (cutting, cleaning, etc.) while you use the stove.

[@dereksbooks]

I think that most foreigners who rent this place won't be doing much cooking.

[@barelysuperman]

Let’s be real, who is cooking on holiday?

[@malkavianloner8808]

I'm sure that's the least of a concern to anyone going through renovations for turning a home into a hotel.... And I'm pretty sure he has designers and an eye for design himself that is more than sufficient to accomplish the job. That's like suggesting a tub shrooms for each sink because you saw a bathroom in the house.

[@AAvD88]

15:04 BoConcept Chiva coffee table. Really nice! You can get it in Europe too.

[@puregero]

That house already looked so nice before the remodelling. Me living in my cheap 48 year old Tokyo mansion would've loved it

[@overthecrest_]

Congrats on the accomplishment, certainly a quality finish and quick turnaround, hopefully the work pays off! Bonsai’s are amazing touch.

[@Obloms]

I love the renovation. Bookmarked the hotel as I might be in Tokyo next year with the family and for the area, standalone nice if small house that can sleep 4 is not bad at all.

[@KuroNXIII]

Finally a tokyo portfolio upload haha. Congrats and wishing you more success.

[@DanKxxx]

Panasonic makes so much stuff. If you look at older houses they have the national branding which is panasonic before they rebranded the home side of the business.

[@ciggieshoreditch507]

I enjoyed this episode. Interesting renovation. Now it looks like a brand new house. Congratulations on expanding your endeavors and many blessings to your journey and future. You are an inspiring guy.

[@saberruntv]

It's funny how I stumble upon this video after watching the videos from "Ici japon corp" who made a hotel in katsushika. so still near central tokyo but in a more "calm and rural feeling" right on the side of the river. Both hotel are interesting. they have been through the same construction and hotel level norms to adapt houses.

[@blutube9916]

I like the 'Sideshow Bob' bonsai.

[@brooklyn6264]

doing ya thing bro

[@snezzy1]

getting in the housing market is hard but it is harder doing it in another country and you nail it. you have my highest respect and i wish you good luck for your future

[@Danilyn_Livao]

All that hard work and preparation really paid off, and it’s so inspiring to see your dream come to life! 😍Wishing you all the success! 👍👍

[@garryferrington811]

You did a beautiful upgrade. Very attractive!

[@Matpeixelegal]

Parabéns pela reforma! O hotel tá sensacional

[@emptywig]

Congratulations! The place looks amazing. I wish you great success!

[@Ayura0]

13:23 from the sink, to the bath, to the wash, to the dry~~~

[@noface5745]

A couple of things I noticed. The fridge and the washing machine should open the opposite direction. I also missed hanging space in the Bedroom, bath and the entrance. And lastly no counter space in the kitchen, maybe just put a board in the same stone on top of the sink.

[@noface5745]

Oh and maybe some lights on the roof 😅

[@Xxxypher]

For the fridge, you want it to open into the kitchen not away from it. Your suggestion would actually make the flow of the space irregular and that's a major no-no for Feng Shui. The washer/drier looks like it can only open the one way but at least it won't bang on the walls when open.

[@BubblesMcGhee]

We have so many places to stay in your YT universe! THANK YOU!!! Mazel Tov!

[@toobaafraz995]

I was waiting for you to post your video. I kinda got worried if you were alright. I absolutely LOVE your videos and want to see more!!!

[@torspedia]

Hoping to finally make it over, within a couple of years or three, so adding this to my list of possible places to stay. 👍 Also, as someone who's interested in Bonsai, I do like that added touch.🙂

[@lisahynes3967]

Congratulations🎉 The space is beautiful. Love the dry bonsai !

[@kamanama3671]

it is extremely high-end. Just like Tokyo. It makes perfect sense what you’ve created and the price makes perfect sense as well.❤

[@dragontalontsiawd]

Thinking about renting this for either my first day there in Japan or my last day. It's either gonna spoil me a bit or let me see what I'm missing

[@KenKohi]

Congratulations!!!! Very exciting to see this hope to check in one day :) Post-watch: I love the dry bonsai's the small details for common situations is so good!

[@redsnappa7837]

Amazing Alex, key factor is the nearness of the Blue Bottle Coffee place!

[@adlandaniel3754]

Congratulations Alex and Team!!!!❤❤❤❤❤ Love your hotel so much.

[@silviastanziola659]

You did a great job! It looks great. The location is really interesting.

[@MewtwoExMasterMusic]

Looked great before, but now - i wish i lived there! Congrats

[@jeus_saaa]

Are there extra beds available? Because idk how you're fitting 5 people on a queen and a sofa bed.

[@alstonjacobs4934]

A family of 5, 2 adults and 3 kids can easily fit here.

[@TokyoPortfolio]

We have a single-size foldable bed in addition to a queen-size bed and a sofa bed.

[@vaffangool9196]

@@TokyoPortfolio Dude tell me you just forgot to mention the dishwasher.

[@jesswilltravel]

Love the bathroom! Your hotel has such a you vibe and the dried bonsai is such a nice touch❤

[@krisstopher8259]

It looks pretty big actually. I can't believe that my apartment is 11 square meters larger. I love the japanese minimalism with the plants and the grey walls. Would stay there if i ever went to tokyo

[@TokiWartoothfalkor]

Love the coffee table! Actually have a few friends in the US with that style of coffee table. Since millennials love eat in front of a big tv haha

[@bennytdi]

Hoping there may be a monthly rental discount rate on Airbnb. Id love to be able to pre book a couple months stay

[@Taecoconut]

Congrats 🥳

[@Gwenx]

I need that coffee table!! We always eat in the sofa when its just us, so that table would be niiiiice!

[@loganberman69]

You’ve been missed mate much love from across the pond.❤❤

[@dollofvoodoo]

Beautiful place. For me, this is more for a couple than a family, but I hope you have a lot of success with it. 💜

[@roland.szanto]

It's really lovely, love the colors, bonsai trees, the bath, but those two giant light sources in the bedroom, the fire alarm and emergency exit sign would be dealbreakers for me. I wouldn't be able to sleep right next to those. I'm sure both of these things are there because it's regulation, but it's really unfortunate. I'm guessing these (or at least the exit sign) need to be close to the staircase in the hotel. And because this isn't a typical hotel with a corridor between the staircase and the room, you didn’t have other options.

[@augustofretes]

Lovely neighborhood and great work with the renovation.

[@jyeell]

First I have to say I really love the design and the restauration here. Your team did an amazing work. That said, I think it would have been better to create a share house or multiple cheaper rooms ; here it just seems like an air bnb without calling it an air bnb

[@Boomdizzle99]

Too small for a sharehouse. Its only a 1 bedroom place. Its basically a home rental/air bnb like you said. Meant for a small family or a couple. Def not for a solo traveler

[@erinnstreeter]

I agree with ​ @Boomdizzle99 - this place is just too small for that.

[@tearlesereph]

I have to admit, I thought the tour at the beginning was already the after because the home is already very nice.

[@NicoleYoshihara]

Congratulations!😊❤🎉

[@Nervecell]

looks freaking amazing. id stay here

[@alliem2858]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉

[@LondonBroilSandwiches]

Congrats !!!

[@shehasastory]

This is awesome! Congrats!

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

MY WARLORD! YOU'RE BACK!

[@Taleri]

15:00 those types of coffee tables are pretty common in the US as well.

[@yodizzle]

How cool! congrats!

[@SonnyO]

Yea after seeing the high end everything, I expected the price tag. $750 for two nights is a bit much, but I guess it is a luxury place versus an affordable one. I’ll stick with my business hotels lol.

[@tripel7470]

Is the electric stove gonna be from Panasonic too?

[@watcherManu]

Please make more house tours

[@ushkace]

Congratulations!! Love that rooftop so much, well done! Perfect location too 😀

[@massam9343]

staying at Alex hotel and then enjoying the nightlife at Chris bar. then buying cool clothes at Joey clothing shop. Then having fun weekend with Connor and his claw machine. Then going to the other bars with the awesome Pete. THE PERFECT vacation XD XD

[@oldguydave7355]

Wow, good on you mate. Great idea.

[@bartekkubicaku-bitsa9802]

Congratulations! Looks awesome and very cosy! Btw why you can't have a gas stove in a hotel?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

It's due to fire regulations

[@dag-king9897]

I think it looks fantastic - I now have two missions in life - to go to Chris and his wife’s bar in Tokyo (Lost), then to stay at Besso Hiroo (if for the amazing bonsai and cool jet black appliances alone)

[@garryferrington811]

I want to listen to oven music.

[@pobstrel]

I like most of it apart from the roof terrace. It will feel like you are sitting in a wooden crate! I don't understand why you have blocked out all the views and any cool breezes on a hot summer day.

[@JoshMadakor]

I did ctrl+f "why" in order to find this comment, which I knew existed.

[@asfinland]

Pretty cool! good luck!

[@2AToday]

14:47 Bro, those are some LEGENDARY socks!

[@Easyservice-x8q]

Your words are very beautiful

[@SinzPet-]

epic stuff

[@ana419]

This looks more like a VERY NICE Airbnb than a hotel. The bonsai is very elegant! How much is it per night?

[@redwolfexr]

The only difference is airbnb is 180 days a year max, hotel is 365 days. He mentioned that in the video.

[@idiocracydude]

Do you plan to add English labels to the washer dryer buttons?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

Yep!

[@Shellbe26]

Looks pretty good. I think i have 2 real gripes about it: 1). Where do you prepare your food? There is literally only a sliver of counter space. Its not even big enough for a cutting board. That sink is massive comparatively and would have probably been better off being slightly smaller to accommodate the smaller space and give actual counter space. 2). The roof. I think it would be better if the roof fence was about your elbow height. It looks nice but feels like you're closed in a box and when you sit all you see is wood. Most people would like to feel a breeze and **SEE** something. Removing the top two or three boards all the way around, would open it up more while still keeping it private

[@FromDkWithLove]

I too think they did that rooftop dirty. With such a small space it should've been opened up, not boxed in. this way if you wanted to bathe in the sun a little, you could do it for more than 30 minutes. Should've used glass, stained if necessary for privacy, or anything less invasive really. And custom furniture for such a tight space. That Target discount bin stuff is fine for most uses, but it doesn't really fit with the 'boutique' hotel vibe and pricing/expectation.

[@redwolfexr]

@@FromDkWithLove I think wood was fine - but it needed to be latticed for airflow. But then again, its a hotel so most people will be there a few days and never come back again.

[@JorgenLundman]

Hey most fabulous! Rooftop balconies are the best!

[@solstickan]

A bit disappointed you didn't show off Breakfast & Brunch Jade5 in Hiroo, excellent breakfast and pancakes. :)

[@TokyoPortfolio]

They were going under renovations up until 2 days ago so there wasn't much to film!

[@solstickan]

@@TokyoPortfolio I see! That explains it! I usually love to have my breakfast there when I'm in the neighbourhood. :D

[@Tom-jj6ii]

I absolutely LOVE IT !!! 🤩 ...when goes the next plane to TYO ??? 😄

[@jazzifizzleno16]

A friend and I wanted to go to The Pizza. They were closed earlier than google maps and Apple Maps said😩

[@pepeeze]

In Quebec, we have something called "Tant qu'à" which translates to "Might as well" and it describes this situation where you start a small renovation project and, while "that" is being worked on or "this" wall is opened, might as well do this and that. Once you've stick your finger in it, the arm usually follows and soon enough, your simple kitchen makeover sees you in the middle of a stud forrest ;) A very international concept!

[@TheKiwiphotopapi]

So happy for you , i love a good story of success 👏, hope you can rent for parents with kids or one kid like me 😀

[@JapanWithCam]

Place looks awesome!

[@BethDoublekickChick]

I got a little bit too excited about that coffee table that extends up to a tray table, I want one! 😊

[@FromDkWithLove]

You could find those sold just about anywhere in the early 2000s. these days with all online retail, should be even easier if you want it.

[@JAFrk]

It's cool, but it's disappointing that some of the functionality wasn't kept. For example the self filling and temperature regulating bathtub. And the smaller bathroom mirror and sink. It is a hotel I suppose.

[@yazmat-8]

I completely hear what you're saying; however, certain features, including bath reheating functionality, are not permitted in Ryokan or hotel settings to maintain hygiene standards set by Japanese law.

[@Sciaovostro]

good to know

[@loudsisi7895]

That bathroom reno felt totally unnecessary to me-the bathroom already looked better than 95% of rentals I’ve seen when hunting for accommodations! I’d have used that budget to make the living-sleeping area more convertible, with easy options to switch between a bedroom and a living room. And some proper open shelving to unpack and keep stuff visible would be a game-changer!

[@Boomdizzle99]

LOVE the renovations! You guys did an amazing job and that area really is great! Seems a bit cramped for 4 large americans to wanna go there. Im gonna go out on a limb and say it would be a good place for a couple or a very small asian family that is more comfortable in close quarters. Its def a great guest house. Wouldn't call it a hotel at all. Theres no staff either

[@r.1599]

So, questions: - 13:20 What's the khaki-coloured, antique phone-looking thing in the corner of the bathroom counter? - How do you dust those dried bonsai without them breaking or bits crumbling off? - Where would guests find/store bedding for the fold-out couch?

[@TokyoPortfolio]

1. I think you're talking about the hairdryer? 2. Canned air from far away 3. We would set it up for them

[@r.1599]

@@TokyoPortfolio 1. Oh, okay, I think I can see that. On a second look it looked kind of like a coffee machine, with a little cup on the front. But I can sort of see it's a hairdryer; its handle is folded up and back, and the condenser is off and placed below the handle. 2. The dried bonsai must be remarkably fragile. It reminds me of dried post-Christmas greenery. 3. Of course you would. :-) Thank you for the reply.

[@NiJaWe]

"45 days!" to complete all of that work. If only I could teleport Japanese builders to the US. - In the 12 years I have been investing in hard assets within the US real estate market, I have never heard of, met, or worked with a US builder that had this level of efficiency, and craftsmanship to get a renovation done like that. I am honestly jealous. Congrats Tokyo Portfolio team!