What to Know About Staying in a Capsule Hotel in Japan

The archetypal ‘only in Japan’ experience, staying in a capsule hotel is an experience many traveler wants to tick off, but they aren’t like a normal hotel so you do need to be prepared before your stay. Here are our tips for staying in a capsule hotel in Japan.

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

Capsule hotels began in Japan as a place for business travelers to stay overnight. The first ever one was the Capsule Inn in Osaka which was built in 1978 and still takes (male) guests today.

Most capsule hotels consist of two rows of sleeping pods, lined up on top of each other, which contain a futon-style bed, a light, and sometimes extra touches like a TV or air conditioning.

Your pod is closed with a door or a curtain – but it won’t lock.

Each pod usually sleeps one person and most capsule hotels are either single-gender (so make sure you book into the right one) or, at least divide the sexes into different areas or floors.

There’s no bathroom in your ‘room’ and the toilet and shower (or bath) facilities are shared with the other guests.

You also store your luggage in a locker outside your pod.

Pros and Cons of Staying in a Capsule Hotel

Tips For Staying In a Capsule Hotel

Pick Your Pod Carefully

Many of the images you see on social media of capsule hotels are of the newer breed of capsule hotel which is futuristic and a bit space age – however, some of the cheaper, traditional pod hotels don’t necessarily look like that – and some remind me of the set up in a morgue!

So, if you’re not booking one of the more tourist-friendly brand names below, just make sure you know what your capsule looks like so you don’t get a shock!

Capsules are bigger than you think, you can sit up within them – but, do check what is inside the pod – ideally, you’re looking for ones that have a charging socket so your phone doesn’t run out of juice overnight, and air conditioning.

Newer types of pod hotels like The Millenials or First Cabin have a different type of pod that’s big enough to stand up in – these aren’t the classic type of capsule hotel, but, can be better for some types of travelers.

Ladders May Be Involved

If you’re booked into the upper cubicle you might have to climb a ladder or a small set of steps to get in and out of your cubicle – depending on how mobile you are this might not be a good thing.

I would also not be happy getting into an upper capsule as I hugely dislike heights – I can’t even stand on a chair without clinging onto something – so I’d be much happier in a ground-floor capsule.

Leave Big Bags in a Nearby Locker

All capsule hotels have lockers for people’s belongings—but these might not be big enough to stash large luggage, and you might need to leave it at the hotel’s front desk. If this makes you nervous, and you have a huge suitcase or backpack, you might want to leave it in a pay locker at a nearby station before you check in.

If you are taking your belongings to the hotel, put the things you need for the night in a smaller bag so you won’t have to pull everything out at reception.

Pack Earplugs

You’re going to hear people moving around, and if the person next to you or above you snores, you might as well be in bed with them. Capsule hotels have traditionally also been a good place for people to crash when they miss the last train home – so, expect people to arrive late at night – possibly a little bit squiffy!

Earplugs will help you get a better night’s sleep.

Oh, and wear clean socks – shoes are not normally allowed past the front door in a capsule hotel. Instead, you’ll swap to slippers – and no one is going to welcome your two-day-old socks in this close situation!

Be Considerate

The ethos of Japan is that the group takes precedence over the individual – and that’s why, even though you might hear people arriving into the sleeping area, they won’t intentionally make noise when they are in there – and you should do the same. Make sure you have headphones for any devices – and if you are traveling with friends, chat in the lounge, if there is one, rather than across your pods.

If you have to use an alarm clock, don’t put it on klaxon or hit snooze – ideally use the one in the capsule which will minimize noise! You also shouldn’t eat or drink in your capsule. And smoking is not allowed.

Oh, and yes, it’s super cool, so take pictures – but again, keep the noise down, don’t do full-on photo shoots that disturb others trying to get to sleep – or get ready for work, and don’t include local people staying in the hotel in your shot.

Know the Time Rules

If you are staying for more than one night in the same capsule hotel, you might need to vacate during the day (unlikely to be a problem when you’re exploring), check out and then check back in again after check-in time. You will keep your locker though so you’re not going to be constantly moving your luggage.

Capsule Hotel Brands to Consider

You’ll find capsule hotels all over Japan, just read reviews carefully to ensure you know what you’re getting. The brands below though all cater to tourists.

Nine Hours

This chain offers modern hotels in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Aichi, and Miyagi. They have a similar look to a traditional capsule hotel with small stacked pods, but, are very tourist-friendly.

One very good option for Tokyo tourists is their Hamamatsucho location, which is an easy journey from Haneda Airport.

Or, female travellers might want to take a look at the Shinjuku location, which is women only.

If you’re flying into Narita Airport, you could also start or finish your trip in a very Japanese way at the Nine Hours Hotel in Narita. Remember that public transport from the city to Narita doesn’t start that early, and trains from the airport don’t always run that late. This might come in handy for those who have flights with early starts or late arrivals.

If those locations don’t fit your plans, you can find a full list of Nine Hour locations here.

First Cabin

If you are a bit nervous about the smaller pods associated with normal capsule hotels, have a look at First Cabin, which uses the capsule concept but offers the option of booking much larger pods.

They say they’re the option between a capsule hotel and a business hotel – and just like a plane you have a choice of ‘class’ – First Class cabins are the largest, Premium Economy are more like a normal pod

The picture above is from their Akasaka location in Central Tokyo.

They also have a location in Osaka’s Namba district, which would be good to try if you’re traveling to Osaka.

You’ll also find a branch at Terminal One of Haneda Airport – perfect if you need to get to the airport early for your flight home or if you are arriving in the evening and might be too tired to explore but still want to start your trip in a very Japanese way. Check the Haneda location here.

If neither of those locations quite works for your plans, you’ll find a list of all of First Cabin’s locations, and different room types on the First Cabin website.

The Millennials

Another group using the large pod concept, this chain says it’s like ‘living in the future’. Their spaces are co-working spaces alongside sleeping pods and have a more youthful vibe. The fact that the first question on their FAQs is ‘What type of beer is served at Happy Hour’ tells you everything. It’s Kirin btw!

They have hotels in Shibuya, Tokyo, but also in Kyoto and Fukuoka. That’s the room above.

See more about the brand at The Millennials website.

There are a few other places to stay that are kind of a cross between a capsule hotel and a hostel—like Book and Bed—because they don’t look quite like the image of a capsule hotel. We’ll cover these in our guide to hostels in Japan.

Other Questions About Capsule Hotels

How Big is Your ‘Room’ in a Capsule Hotel?

They will vary slightly, but the traditional capsule is about 2 meters long, one meter high, and just over a meter wide. That’s bit enough to sit upright and turn around in bed, but not big enough to stand up.

How Much Does a Night in a Capsule Hotel Cost?

It varies – I looked to stay in an older type of capsule hotel in Takamatsu, so a less touristy city, and the pods there were just £27 a night (but sadly only for men). A Nine Hours in Tokyo will be about £26 a night, First Cabin in Tokyo is around £37. The bigger pod-like hotels, somewhere busy, like Haneda Airport will cost you £70-80.

Is a Capsule Hotel Cheaper than a Regular Hotel?

Usually yes. You can find more about the other cheaper types of accommodation on offer in our guide to the different places you can stay in Japan.

Can you Stay in a Capsule Hotel with Children?

Some are restricted to over 18s only – but, some of the newer chains do allow children.

Nine Hours, for example, allows children aged 6 and upwards to stay in the hotel on the same floor as a parent or guardian of the same sex in branches including Narita Airport, Hamamatsucho, Shinjuku (females only), and Ningyokocho. If you’re a mum traveling solo with your son, or a dad with his daughter, you won’t be allowed to stay.

The minimum age for First Cabin is 13, and again, only people of the same sex can stay on the same floor.

Can you Stay in a Capsule Hotel with Tattoos?

Again, it’s unlikely to be a concern if you book one of the tourist-friendly brands, but, some local capsule hotels do have ‘no tattoo rules’ so check on these if you have large tatts that can’t be covered up.

Can You Stay in a Capsule Hotel as a Couple?

The traditional capsule hotels, and some newer ones, no – as we said, you can’t even be on the same floor let alone the same pod in a traditional capsule hotel but what’s known as Premier Class at First Cabin does have mixed pods – it’s not quite the same as a traditional capsule hotel though.

Can you Send Luggage to a Capsule Hotel?

Again, if you’re booking some of the newer brands, this is possible. Nine Hours accepts paid-for, small cases but not things that won’t fit in their lockers. However, check with the exact hotel you are staying in to confirm. The Millenials can receive luggage. First Cabin doesn’t say that they receive bags.

Can You Just Spend a Few Hours in a Capsule?

Yes, but you’ll have to pay the whole night’s rate, they don’t rent by the hour. But, if you’re arriving on a very late, or a very early flight and just want a quick nap before you head off for the day, something like the Nine Hours at Narita could be the perfect fun start to your trip – but do read their T&Cs about late check in to make sure they know you’re coming.

You will also have to check out at normal checkout time, which is around 10 am, no matter what time you checked in.

So that’s it, our guide to staying in a Capsule Hotel. If you have any more questions, head over to the Japlanease Facebook group and we’ll do our best to answer them.

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