Gray corridors, strip lighting, scratched desks and bland canteens: Schools are not generally renowned for the finesse of their decor.
With a universal motto of "function over design" classrooms have never been renowned for their beauty and style. So it is perhaps a surprise to learn of a new venture in Kyoto — a boutique hotel that fuses high-quality design with an education theme.
Claiming to be the nation's first "edutainment" establishment, Hotel Kanra aims to "educate" visitors about Kyoto in a setting that showcases the best of contemporary Japanese design.