A guesthouse decorated by artists is catching the eye of travelers in Kawasaki's Nisshin district, traditionally known as a home to hostels for day laborers, as its manager moves to rejuvenate the area following a fatal fire three years ago.
Real estate and construction firm Nengo bought a hostel in Nisshin after the fire gutted two of them, turning it into a guesthouse named Nisshin Geppo, which means "rapid progress."
Five of its 14 rooms were decorated by artists who painted images associated with Kawasaki on the walls, such as neon signs and hanafuda (Japanese playing cards) often used in gambling.