What makes Hotel WHY different from regular hotels?

Hotel WHY operates as Japan's first zero-waste accommodation, where guests actively participate in the town's environmental mission. During your stay, you'll learn about Kamikatsu's 45-category waste sorting system through hands-on activities, attend daily educational sessions at 4:30pm, and use shared eco-friendly amenities from the onsite store. The hotel was built on a former landfill site and serves as both accommodation and educational facility, making sustainability the core of your experience rather than just a feature.

How do I get to Hotel WHY from major cities?

The hotel is located in Kamikatsu Town, Tokushima Prefecture at Shimohiura-7-2 Fukuhara. From Tokushima Station, the journey takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car. For public transportation, take a bus from Tokushima Station to Yokose Nishi (about 60 minutes), then transfer to Hibigatani (about 30 minutes). The hotel is part of the Zero Waste Center, which operates from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

What accommodation options are available?

Hotel WHY offers 4 rooms that accommodate 2 to 4 guests each. Guests can sleep on traditional Japanese futon mattresses in the loft area or use pull-out sofa beds. Each room provides views of either the surrounding lush mountains or crystal blue lake. The hotel features a distinctive red exterior with a circular opening designed to allow natural light and rain to interact with the space. All amenities are environmentally friendly and shared among guests.

Are there dining options at the hotel?

Hotel WHY does not have an attached restaurant, encouraging guests to explore local dining options in Kamikatsu Town. This approach supports the local community while maintaining the hotel's minimalist, zero-waste philosophy. Guests are encouraged to experience authentic local cuisine and contribute to the town's sustainable economy by dining at nearby establishments.

What are the check-in procedures and restrictions?

Check-in is available from 3:00pm to 4:30pm, with check-out between 9:00am to 10:30am. Staff are not available from 5:00pm to 8:30am the following day. During check-in, guests participate in "measuring" activities, and at check-out, they engage in 43 trash sorting to understand the waste categorization system. Guests cut their own soap pieces and can take leftovers home. The hotel does not accept pets and operates as part of the Zero Waste Center's educational mission.

徳島

Zero Waste Action Hotel "HOTEL WHY"

4.8 (40)HotelLodgingPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Zero Waste Action Hotel "HOTEL WHY" stands as Japan's pioneering zero-waste accommodation experience in Kamikatsu Town, Tokushima Prefecture. Opened in 2020, this innovative hotel forms part of the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center, serving as both accommodation and educational facility. Kamikatsu became Japan's first "zero waste" town, where all household waste is separated into 45 different categories and sent to be recycled. The town estimates it is about 80 percent of the way toward achieving its goal of becoming totally carbon neutral.

The hotel represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable tourism, constructed on a site that was once a waste field and landfill site. Kamikatsu's zero-waste initiative began in 1995, reducing overall waste by one-third after the town lacked funds for traditional garbage collection services. This commitment to environmental responsibility has transformed both the community and landscape into a model for global sustainability practices.

Guests experience Kamikatsu's zero-waste philosophy through immersive activities integrated into their stay. The hotel offers daily "STUDY WHY" sessions at 4:30pm where staff explain the town's zero waste history and efforts. During check-in, visitors participate in "measuring" activities, while check-out involves "43 trash sorting" to understand the town's comprehensive waste categorization system. Guests cut pieces of soap for their own use and are encouraged to bring home leftover pieces, exemplifying the zero-waste principles throughout their stay.

The hotel offers 4 rooms, each accommodating two to four persons, with views of nearby lush mountains or crystal blue lake. Guests can sleep in the loft on traditional Japanese futon mattresses or use pull-out sofa beds. The simple, red exterior features a circular opening in the middle to allow sunlight or rain to interact with occupants. Environmentally friendly amenities are shared among guests, provided by the onsite ecostore. The hotel does not have an attached restaurant, encouraging guests to explore local dining options.

Hotel WHY is located at Shimohiura-7-2 Fukuhara, Kamikatsu. From Tokushima Station, the journey takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Public transportation involves taking a bus from Tokushima Station to Yokose Nishi (about 60 minutes), then transferring to Hibigatani (about 30 minutes). Check-in is available from 3:00pm to 4:30pm, with check-out between 9:00am to 10:30am. Staff are not available from 5:00pm to 8:30am the following day. The hotel does not accept pets,

The area

Address

日本、〒771-4501 徳島県勝浦郡上勝町福原下日浦７−２

What other travelers are saying about Zero Waste Action Hotel "HOTEL WHY"

最高いい体験をできました。リサイクルの体験や自分がどのぐらいゴミが出したかよく分かりますので、気にしながら生活するのが大変だけど、環境には優しくためにやらないといけません。

Nearby attractions to see

Awaodori Kaikan - Tokushima's Traditional Dance Museum

Ochiai Village

Nearby attractions to see

Awaodori Kaikan - Tokushima's Traditional Dance Museum

Ochiai Village

よくある質問

レイクサイドに宿泊しました。お部屋は木造のメゾネットタイプ。ログハウスみたいな感じでゆったり過ごせます。歯ブラシ、パジャマは持参しましょう。近くにコンビニがないため、夕飯も自分で準備が必要です。わたしは、ペルトナーレのケータリングをお願いしました。結構ボリュームがあって十分お腹いっぱいになる量です。ワインは注文しませんでしたが、料理にワインが凄く合うと思います。地元の食材を使ったお料理が味わえます。他にも色々あるのでホームページの末端にあるケータリングなどの情報を参考にしてください。定休日もあるので注意です。飲み物はビールが4本、冷蔵庫に用意されており、チェックアウト時に支払いをします。お茶、コーヒーはチェックイン時に必要な分だけもらいます。せっかく来られたのであれば、16時半からのスタディツアーにぜひ参加して欲しいです✨️上勝町の取り組みについてとても丁寧に教えて頂けます。宿泊料金はちょっと勇気のいるお値段ですがとても良いところです。また来たいです。

たけなかな

2024/08/09

メディアで紹介されてて興味を持ちました。友達4人で泊まりに来てみました。すごい山奥、ホテルの中も外観もとてもcoolなデザインでした。夕食は月ケ谷温泉へ、お風呂はホテルに帰って来てから入った。追い焚き出来ないので寒かった。受付で渡されたコーヒーとお茶は美味しく頂きました。朝食も共有スペースのトースターで温めて、ベーグルサンドイッチで、これは思った以上に美味しかった。朝食は8：30からなので周りをお散歩しました。梅とロウバイが咲いていた。チェックアウト時にゴミの分別説明を受けて、コストなど軽くカルチャーショック！周りの食堂やレストランが定休日だったので、ちょっと残念でしたが、雰囲気は味わえました。

Kaorin N. (Kaorin)

2022/03/15