An Award-Winning Concrete Pouch For Backpackers

Outside of its name, Kangaroo Hotel has got absolutely nothing to do with bloody kangaroos or marsupials, and doesn’t even provide nominal acknowledgement of its macropod connection.

But the name alone is enough to give a blog post to the tiny, design-focused guesthouse in Minami-Senju that opened in 2009, has about 18 private rooms across three floors, and positions itself as an affordable, stylish stay for backpackers and budget travellers.

The sole connection the hotel seems to have to Australia is a eucalypt outside its front door.

Kangaroo Hotel is divided into the A side original hotel and B side annex, and operates as a guesthouse and hostel with a lobby café and internet space, small private rooms, bicycle rentals and a rooftop communal area for events.

The building was completed in 2009 and received a Good Design Award in 2011 for its architecture and guest-house design by Apollo Architects & Associates.