What Makes MIMARU Different from Other Apartment Hotels? Three Reasons to Choose Us for Family Trips

  • Travel Tips

2026.05.03

At MIMARU, we value providing a comfortable space to enjoy time with family and friends, and warmly welcome guests from all over the world. On your first trip to Japan, you may have many concerns, such as cultural differences and language barriers.

Our apartment hotels combine the comfort of home with the convenience of a hotel, making them an ideal base for international families visiting Japan.

The difference between MIMARU and other apartment hotels lies in our spatial design and services aimed at deepening family bonds, rather than simply being a place to stay. In this article, we will introduce in detail the unique charm of MIMARU and the special facilities that children will also enjoy.

Three Unique Features of MIMARU Not Found in Other Apartment Hotels

At MIMARU, the rooms are designed to allow the whole family can spend time together in one spacious room. One major difference from other hotels is that all guest rooms are equipped with a kitchen and dining space. and Some guest rooms even incorporate Japanese-style elements, allowing guests to remove their shoes at the entrance and relax.

Difference 1: Connecting rooms can accommodate a total of up to 10 guests

We offer spacious guest rooms that can accommodate up to 10 guests together (*up to 10 adults plus up to 2 children aged 6 and under can stay in the same room together), allowing you to stay together without having to split into multiple rooms.

At a typical hotel, larger groups may require booking multiple rooms, but MIMARU features individual beds and bunk beds in a single, spacious room. This allows the whole family to talk together about the memories of the day, maintaining a sense of unity during the trip.

Difference 2: All rooms are equipped with an induction cooktop (IH stove) and refrigerator, so you do not have to eat out for every meal

All rooms are fully equipped with kitchen facilities such as an induction cooktop (IH stove), microwave, and refrigerator. This is recommended for families who want to enjoy cooking with ingredients purchased at local supermarkets, or who want to prepare baby food or meals for children with allergies on their own.

At MIMARU, you can use either a coin laundry area in the hotel or a washer-dryer in the guest room, making your stay as convenient as daily life at home.

Difference 3: A wide variety of free rental items to help reduce bulky pieces of luggage

At MIMARU, we offer various rental items to make your stay comfortable and convenient.

For families with children, we also offer a wide range of helpful items such as cribs, bed guards, and high chairs for dining.

*Rental items vary by location and are limited in number. If you wish to use them, we recommend contacting the hotel where you plan to stay at in advance.

Your Children Will Love It Too! The Pokémon Room for Creating Special Memories

From the wallpaper and beds to the dining table, all aspects of this special guest room feature a Pokémon motif. You can experience this at select MIMARU locations in the Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka areas.

The Pokémon Room is highly rated by families traveling with children. Inside, 100 Pokémon are featured throughout the room on the walls and ceiling, as well as in the bathroom and kitchen to delight guests. In addition, a giant stuffed Snorlax is also waiting to greet you. Our Pokémon Room is a special space unique to MIMARU, designed to make your first trip to Japan an even more unforgettable memory.

[Tokyo] MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East

Pokémon Room at MIMARU Tokyo Ueno EAST. A character room perfect for family trips to Tokyo, ideal as a base for sightseeing in Ueno.

Located in the Ueno area with convenient access from Narita Airport, it is a very convenient sightseeing base for family-friendly spots such as Ueno Park and the zoo.

MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East features Pokémon Rooms and has multilingual staff on-site, providing peace of mind even for your first stay in Tokyo.

[Kyoto] MIMARU Kyoto Station

Pokémon Room at MIMARU Kyoto STATION. A family-friendly apartment hotel just a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Station, with excellent Shinkansen access.

This MIMARU is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the Hachijo East Exit at Kyoto Station, making it an excellent location for arriving by Shinkansen (bullet train) or from Kansai International Airport.

MIMARU Kyoto Station also offers Pokémon Rooms, allowing you to enjoy a special stay within the traditional atmosphere of Kyoto. As a base for exploring the historic city of Kyoto, even families with large luggage can arrive without getting lost.

[Osaka] MIMARU Osaka Namba North

Pokémon Room dining space at MIMARU Osaka Namba NORTH. An apartment hotel near Namba Station, directly connected to Kansai International Airport and within walking distance to Dotonbori.

Located near Namba Station, which connects directly to Kansai International Airport, it is a location where you can enjoy Osaka’s unique, vibrant food culture and entertainment firsthand.

From MIMARU Osaka Namba North, sightseeing spots like Dotonbori are within walking distance. Getting delicious takeout from markets and nearby shops to enjoy together with your family in the dining space of your Pokémon Room is a way to have fun that is unique to an apartment hotel.

©Pokémon. ©Nintendo / Creatures Inc. / GAME FREAK inc.

3 Types of Travelers to Whom MIMARU Is Highly Recommended: International Families, Large Groups, and Long-term Stay Guests

MIMARU is highly recommended for international families visiting Japan for the first time, large groups, and those planning a long-term stay.

MIMARU is designed with the concept of being not just a place to stay, but a “comfortable space to enjoy time with family and friends.” The spacious rooms, well-equipped facilities, and warm support from our multilingual staff help ease the concerns of international family travel, ensuring a comfortable stay as your home away from home in Japan.

Click here for more information about MIMARU

FAQ for Your First-time Trip to Japan

Q. What is the cleaning service like for the guest rooms?

A. We change bath towels, hand towels, and bath mats and vacuum the floor every day. A full cleaning of the room is carried out once every two days during your stay, excluding your check-in day (the first one is on your third day). At that time we clean the wet areas other than the kitchen and make the beds. If you would like additional cleaning visits or services (for a fee), please let the front desk know in advance.

Q. Are there rental items or services available for children?

A. Yes, we offer family-friendly amenities, including the rental of cribs, baby baths, and children’s tableware.

Q. Can I send heavy luggage from the airport to the hotel?

A. Yes, by using Luggage Delivery by MIMARU (*a paid service requiring MIMARU Membership Program membership registration), you can send your luggage directly between the airport and MIMARU locations. This allows you to start your sightseeing in Japan traveling light. *Only Narita, Haneda, and Kansai airports are supported. Please see the Luggage Delivery by MIMARU page for details.

Q. Are there washer-dryers at the hotel?

A. At MIMARU, we offer either a coin laundry area in the building or a washer-dryer in the guest room. You can enjoy a comfortable, long-term stay with peace of mind, even if your children need frequent changes of clothes.

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