Travelers looking for an intimate base in Tokushima City can now book BLUE CAT INN, a newly opened one-room minpaku for up to two guests on the second floor of a traditional residence–shop at 1-5 Kitadekijima-chō. Beyond offering privacy, the space doubles as a small gallery showcasing handcrafted tea-ceremony chests called Chahōbako ("Tea Treasure Box"). The accommodation opened its doors to guests on August 1, 2025.
Inspired by Tokushima's celebrated indigo blue, the interior incorporates locally sourced materials throughout: Tokushima-made washi paper, indigo-dyed leather, an Ōtani-yaki ceramic washbasin, Tokushima-grown cedar, and an indigo-pigmented concrete kitchen countertop crafted by a local artist. The accommodation serves as an ideal base for Awa Odori sightseeing or Shikoku touring while experiencing Japan's traditional culture.
A Family Business Preserving Local Culture
The minpaku is operated by the Akiyama family, who have run a Tianjin-style roasted chestnut stall called Hoteidō in Tokushima City for more than 80 years. For generations, the family has set up their stall beneath the guardian-dog statues at Awa Ichinomiya Ōasahiko Shrine during New Year visits, participating deeply in local festivals and cultural events.
With support from the Tokushima Prefecture Yorozu Support Center, the family renovated their second floor to create this unique accommodation and exhibition space. The integrated setting allows guests to experience Tokushima-sourced materials and traditional crafts up close, while also encountering elements of Japanese daily culture, such as tatami rooms and a household Shinto altar.
Facility Features
The accommodation offers a private, whole-studio experience exclusively for guests. The space also serves as a tea-chest exhibition area, allowing visitors to examine the handcrafted pieces and experience their textures and designs firsthand. The original tatami room and the family's ancestral household Shinto altar have been preserved, creating an authentic Japanese home atmosphere.
Interior finishes showcase local craftsmanship with Tokushima-made washi paper, indigo-dyed leather, Ōtani pottery, and local cedar. The kitchen countertop features indigo-pigmented concrete crafted by a local artist. An upright piano is available for guests to play freely.
One free on-site parking space is included.
Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience
The accommodation's unique feature is its display of Chahōbako tea chests, which can currently only be viewed at BLUE CAT INN. These traditional tea-ceremony boxes showcase Tokushima's traditional craftsmanship and locally sourced materials, with each piece painstakingly handmade incorporating indigo-dyed fabric, washi paper, and ceramics.
Overnight guests can purchase items they fancy on the spot, and when no guests are staying, the exhibition is open to the public. Future plans include cultural programs such as tea-ceremony sessions, calligraphy lessons, kimono-dressing workshops, and woodworking classes, creating a space where visitors can enjoy accommodation and hands-on cultural experiences together.
On request, the hosts can also provide information about neighborhood festivals where traditional food stalls line the streets, offering guests insight into local culture and community celebrations.
Booking and Access
Accommodation bookings are accepted through Airbnb at https://www.airbnb.com/h/bluecatinn. The property is located at 1-5 Kitadekijima-chō in Tokushima City, providing convenient access to Awa Odori events and Shikoku touring routes.
For travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience in Tokushima, BLUE CAT INN offers a unique opportunity to stay within a living piece of the city's traditional crafts and family history while enjoying modern comfort and convenience.
