Claska just manages to tip its hat to Tokyo chic while staying on the right side of pretentious. Not so much a hotel as a party venue and art gallery that just happens to have a few rooms upstairs. Booking well ahead is recommended: just nine rooms, all different and with wildly varying rates. Longer stays possible. Highlight is the spacious rooftop terrace. Claska will undergo renovations from January 15 2008; the owners don’t expect to open again until next spring. It should be worth the wait.

· Rooms from 10,500 yen (£46) for a single, 18,900 yen (£83) for a double. You may also want to check out Lodging in New Orleans if you are thinking of visiting anytime soon.