All you Need to Know About Capsule Hotels - 5 Easy Points
Updated: Feb 17, 2020
If you are looking for a cheap, clean, minimalist, high class, accommodation, then BRAH! Japan has you covered!
While visiting Tokyo we stayed in the Ueno women’s capsule hotel. One week was less than $200 USD, and after that experience I was SOLD! Even if I was a millionaire I would probably still stay at a capsule hotel on my Japan visits simply because of how GENOUS they are.
What is A Capsule Hotel?
Capsule hotels are everything awesome about a Japanese hotel except the rooms are built honey comb style and are STUPID cheap! The capsule I stayed in at Ueno was large enough to comfortably sit up, perform some down-ward dog yoga, and put my arms out on either side. The mattress was also nicer than ANY American hotel bet I've ever stayed in.
What is Usually Included in a Capsule Hotel?
Each capsule is different so you will have to look at their website for specifics but most capsule hotels come with:
-a personal locker
-Wifi
-Towels
-Charging outlets inside your capsule
-A TV (also inside the capsule)
-A RIDICULOUS amount of toiletries available in the shared bathroom
-Coin Washer and dryer
-Lounge/office area
Ours also had a public kitchen with refrigerator and cooking tools so we saved money eating like we were at home. Again, obviously every place will be a tiny bit different so make sure you check for things like washing machines or refrigerators on the their websites before booking.
Are Capsules Safe?
Unlike most hostels, capsule hotels separate men's and women's quarters. So ladies, you don't have to worry about potentially pervy people prowling around the dorm. If it makes you more comfortable there are also cheap-cute women's-only capsules all over as well.
My hostel in Ueno had number lock pad on each floor that changed every 5 days. The building also locked up completely at 2am. Not all capsules have a lock out curfew, but in truth the trains stop running after midnight anyway so the lock out curfew did not personally bother me too much.
What about Privacy or Noisy 'Roommates'
You don’t have to worry about noisy neighbors because there is no talking or noise of any kind allowed in the sleeping area. Once your curtain is closed and personal light is off it’s COMPLETELY silent and dark!
I was also shocked by how respectful all the other tenants were towards me. You barely saw anyone anyway because people are often in and out. But the people I did run into were quiet and polite.
Suggested Capsules
I will not call myself an expert. You know where you want to be and how much you are willing to spend better than I. Here are some Capsules to get you started. Keep in mind that accommodation inside the city (like Shinjuku or Shibuya) will generally be more expensive then accommodation further away in less touristy areas like Ueno.
1) Centurion Ladies Hostel Ueno Park
I absolutely LOVED my stay here. It over looked the park. It was spotlessly clean. The staff where super sweet. 11/10 would recommend EVERY TIME.
2) Nine Hour Hotel
I get the feeling the 9 hour hotel is like the McDonalds of capsules cause you can find them EVERYWHERE, even in the airport! Don't be fooled by the name. You can stay as long as you like.
3)The Global Hotel Tokyo
Again this is just some suggestions to get you started. If you Google the area you want to stay you will find all available capsules listed.
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