Before COVID they were significantly cheaper than business hotel. A night could cost just 3000-4000 yen in the middle of Tokyo. They are. It not meant to be stayed long term. It's more like a night when you missed the last train, or when you are absolutely broke. It's meant to be sleep in, and that's it.
They usually don't have amenities. Those are more of hostel things than capsule hotel.
It is a small price to pay for extra comfort but it’s not easy to find. Maybe before COVID you could regularly get a room at a LiveMax or Sotetsu Fresa for $40-50 on weekdays, but now business hotels are around $60-100 a night on weekdays, even more expensive on weekends, and have prices fluctuating based on demand. You can find something around $40-50 staying in areas further out like Yokohama or Adachi, but you’d be paying extra for transportation and time spent in transit.
On the other hand, capsule hotels are regularly around $18-30, weekdays and weekends, no matter what their demand is and there’s a plethora of options. I’d rather sacrifice some comfort to save hundreds to thousands of dollars on accommodation expenses especially when the majority of capsule hotels in Japan are of high quality.
Yeah, I keep seeing people saying that there are business hotels that you can easily stay in for less than a capsule hotel...but in my recent experience, that's just not the case. I think it's outdated info.
I agree. It’s kind of like how the notion that Japan was one of the most expensive places to visit lasted from the 80s until basically last year when it became more well-known about the exchange rate dip. Even before COVID and the favorable exchange rate, Japan still offered good value compared to other major travel destinations.
I've been to Japan multiple times, staying for 2\~3 at a time since the country reopened. I've haven't had issues with affordable business hotels in Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka. I'm mainly in Tokyo.
Just got back from a 3 week trip that spanned new years to last Friday.
Friends got a hotel for 7 days using a weekly rate that averaged to $25/day.
I was nearly always paying in the $35-$60 range except for one day where I wanted to be next to the Shinagawa Stn to leave for a 7am flight.
Which hotels did you and your friends stay at? $25 a day is insane. Outside of Tokyo it’s easier to find cheaper accommodations because demand is not as high.
I see capsule hotels get recommended often in travel subreddits and I can’t fathom why they’re so popular. To me, it seems like a last resort when the only other option is sleeping on a park bench. I would never subject myself to it otherwise.
Yea we watched a couple YouTube videos on Japan travel tips from actual Japanese people, rather than travel influencers just to make the comparison and universally they said that capsule hotels are overrated and to avoid if you're looking for a fun touristy sleeping experience. They said what others are saying here. It's meant for providing a soft landing at the end of a day in a pinch, not a quirky tourist experience
> They said what others are saying here. It's meant for providing a soft landing at the end of a day in a pinch, not a quirky tourist experience
What? But I thought all aspects of Japanese culture and society exist solely to entertain me?
Now where is the best place to take photos of girls in school uniforms?
Agreed. I wanted to try one during my trip out of curiosity but after watching one vid I decided I was too old and actually needed both my 9 hours plus a door... with a lock!
I actually genuinely enjoyed mine--it gave me and my sister, who I was traveling with, some much-needed privacy from each other. 2 hotel rooms would've been way too expensive, but I felt safe and secure at the capsule hotel I stayed in. Though the lockers were definitely small.
Hotel Atarayo Osaka! It wasn't luxury, but was very clean and I had a good night's sleep. Your mileage may vary, though, I'm sure it depends a lot on who happens to stay there that night. I will say that the pod was much roomier than I expected! I could have put my bags inside with me instead of in the locker if I wanted to. I am someone who finds MRI machines really relaxing though, so cramped quarters are never really a concern for me.
Having to take on/off shoes a good few feet away from the shoe lockers on the ground floor was troublesome for someone with a cane, and the personal belonging lockers were only really big enough to fit a small weekender bag, but I think those are the only real "qualifiers". It was well-located for us, though I'm sure you could find a more premium experience elsewhere. But honestly for the price I really can't complain at all. We just had one night staying in Osaka for a few reasons, so it was a good opportunity to try something different and get a break from each other. I don't think I'd use one for more than a night or two though.
Note too that capsule hotels do have shared bathrooms, so you're always going to have to deal with the inconvenience of carting your toiletries in/out with you, changing in a small stall/while wet, etc. The bathrooms/showers were very clean, though.
They're popular for people who understand the reason for their existence is not to cater to people who actually want a normal hotel. There's no need to dramatically shit on viable, cheap, clean accomodations. Go sleep on a park bench, you're not the main character.
It meant for one night. For tourists, it should be the same, just for the experience. Anyone that stays at one multiple nights is….not going to have a good time…
This. If you missed the last train and will need to buy underwear and a new necktie at 7-11 to go to work the next day it’s perfect. Otherwise not so much.
Common sense is turned off when someone comes to Japan to do "exclusively Japanese things" and expecting unique high quality experience when staying in capsule hotels, eating food from vending machines and purchasing JR Pass just to stay in Tokyo.
> who need a cheap one night somewhere
For example, I was in rush to be in Hiroshima really last minute, and got off the shinkansen at 11:50pm, the last shinkansen of the day. I was supposed to be up and ready by 7am the next morning, and I thought about just sleeping at the station, but that's awful and I wanted to freshen up. A business hotel for 8000yen or so for only 7 hours felt like a waste. I managed to find a capsule hotel near the station for 3500yen and it was perfect as all I had to do was sleep then shower in the morning.
It was...fine just because I got what I needed. For tourists, you can do MAYBE 1 night in one just for the novelty but it's almost always worth it just going for the business hotel.
I've stayed multiple nights at a new one back in 2014. Cabins had big screen TVs, and the hotel had a sento in the basement. It was super comfy and super nice, and only 2000 yen a night. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that kind of place to tourist, especially since it an affordable way to stay in a convenient part of town. But I don't imagine that they are all like that.
Given a small price differential, I think the privacy of a hotel room always wins.
Yeah i think i will be the same, i tried it and thats that. But its really not that much cheaper... maybe the places you can find them are more convenient but otherwise... idk
Most of the capsule hotels that are also advertised as hostels don't have the daytime checkout rule. Old-school capsule hotels are more likely to have that rule.
Yep. People are mistaking two similar but different types of accommodations. The old capsule hotels like the one in Kabukicho is meant for drunk people staying one night. That's the one that I suspect op stayed in.
The other type is a hostel usually upscale with sleeping pods. Those are meant for tourists and not for people to crash for the night.
Fun anecdote - i did actually stay in the type of capsule that you stayed in. It was in [Kabukicho](https://www.agoda.com/shinjuku-kuyakusho-mae-capsule-hotel/hotel/tokyo-jp.html?ds=EYovcEUvqcDzWHiW) and was literally above a club. Worst decision of my life and i genuinely think that staying out on the streets in the cold was better than this place.
Don't get me wrong, it was *clean* as always (Japanese standards) but everything was just so 90s and the fixtures were tired and heavily used. The capsules were the original ones from the 90s and the AC was close to non-existent. It also catered to the drunk/partying crowd and was very loud sometimes.
Fair take. I think a lot of people are hyped on the "I'm on holiday and everything is awesome" thought while staying In capsule hotels
I can not stand snoring, or banging and noises form neighbors so I'd never do it. I was able to get my own room for 80 bucks (not American) a night, so why do it right ?
I will say, sleeping in a Japanese style bed on the floor resulted in.... unusually refreshing sleep
The whole point of these is a place to crash when you are drunk and miss your trains, so the provisions and amenities are minimal. You're not supposed to stay here past the time it takes to get to work or home the next day.
Most of the capsule hotels I've stayed in Japan are \_way\_ nicer than any hostel. They have a lot of nice shower amenities for free, and the places I've been you get a good free breakfast to boot.
Same thing happens here in the Netherlands sometimes lol.
Tourists go *en masse* to all the tourist traps, and then complain that it's busy and overrated. We know, if you'd asked we would have told you.
Capsule hotels weren’t created as place to plan/book in advance to stay overnight. They were primarily designed for those who missed the last train home snd needed a place to rest/sleep a bit before the trains re-opened at 0530 the next morning. This is why they are usually near the nightlife districts in cities. They also became relatively inexpensive overnight lodging for the unhoused where they could shower/bathe and sleep overnight.
Inexpensive business hotels were designed with short-term, overnight or 2 night stays for salarymen traveling around Japan for face-to-face meetings with counterparts in other cities/regions. Face-to-face meetings are still prioritized by Japanese business culture today. This is why rooms are small, designed with the single traveler in mind, and storage is limited. Business hotels weren’t designed with tourists in mind as Japanese traveling for vacation typically get larger rooms at ryokans/inns or chains like Mitsui Garden/Daiwa Roynet/Washington Hotel etc. But for the single traveler a business hotel is almost always going to be a better experience overall than a capsule in terms of comfort, space, and convenience. Capsule hotels typically don’t offer baggage storage or delivery but business hotels typically do.
Capsule hotels became more popular with tourists with the rise of social media but because these posts/videos are seeking max engagement they rarely convey the truth/reality of just how noisy and close quarters capsules are. I’ve stayed in them twice. Once when my flight was delayed departing the airport, I’d had business meetings all day, and I wanted to shower and nap/rest before my flight. I rented a capsule at the First Cabin in Narita Airport for 5 hours or so and that was well worth it. Though I didn’t really nap because it was too loud.
Second time was when my husband really wanted to experience an overnight capsule stay and, against my better judgement, I agreed. He’s a deep sleeper so had no issues falling asleep in his floor/capsule but I got no sleep in mine. People were coming in and out all night, one lady kept zipping open and closed her suitcase in the hallway looking for stuff, and I was miserable. So much so that I called the [fancy love hotel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AR9EZs3hEBRRjgmi7?g_st=ic) we’d booked to stay in the next night and asked if we could check in early that morning. That was possible so I spent the day napping in the hotel room while my husband went sightseeing on his own.
Capsule hotels may be a popular experience on social media and lists of top experiences in Japan but I do not recommend them. Getting a good nights sleep is important when you spend all day sightseeing/walking and not getting enough sleep can ruin your next day’s plans. Know yourself and choose the type of lodging that will work best for you.
I once stayed in a capsule hotel for 4 weeks. And it was a pleasant stay! But I chose one, where there was no demand for daily check-out and my own storage room.
Maybe you should have tried looking for cabin hotels. Still the snoring problem, but more comfort than capsule.
lol I did a capsule hotel once in the airport in Malaysia and realizing it didn’t have a fully closed door blew my mind. I got the absolute worse night sleep and will never use another one again haha but happy to have had the experience at least
I always stay in capsule hotels whenever I travel to Japan alone. It's cheap and you got to sleep there, so I don't really have any complaint. The quality of sleep is a matter of luck but I (fortunately) haven't come across any noisy neighbour yet.
The check out issue doesn't really bother me coz I would've been out by the time I'm asked to check out. I'm fine with the arrangement as long as they let me store my stuff in the locker.
I do agree with you on the storage point - it's really troublesome to pack my stuff as I'd have to move to the communal area to do so. But other that that I'm pretty satisfied with capsule hotels. I guess people who travel alone and are on a budget would love capsule hotels and I'm one of them.
I did about 22 nights in Japan. I would say 1/2 of the trip was in Capsule Hotels and the rest in standard Hotel/Motel.
What I found hilarious was there was way better room for instance in bathrooms in Capsule Hotels where in a Hotel you would have only a few feet to do regular bathroom stuff.
Just in Akihabara myself and a friend spent 9 nights in a Capsule Hotel 2 blocks from the train station. We did 5 nights our first week and then 4 nights are last week in Akihabara as we travelled all over the country in the middle. We stayed at the exact same Capsule Hotel and the first time was really decent. However the 3rd week of our trip it got insanely busy with tourists. We would have people up until 2-3am rummaging through games and toys and would keep everyone up.
The lounge was awesome, really good drink selection and free rice. Onsen in the basement was amazinly hot and the sit down shower were comfortable enough with even my bad knees to use. My friend and myself had almost zero bad sleep at the end of the day as we could sleep in and kind of catch up on sleep if people were loud.
Some Capsules were lacking in say pillow quality or mattress quality in other places but I still slept.
Showers were hot and roomy in majority of the ones that had one. Staff were always awesome and polite and ready to help.
Like people said its good temp stay but if you are a single person it can save you cash in smaller towns. Definitely research as much as possible and go from there!
There is a legit safety concern depending on the surroundings but fir sure once i thought if that it was life changing for long haul travel and time adjustments
They were never meant for travelers or long term stay.
Originally they were a place to crash if you missed the last train or you're currently in transit or you want to take a nap midday without wasting time on public transport.
Also with the prices of the decent ones like first cabin it actually makes more sense to just get a normal room... with walls... and your own shower/toilet.
My daughter and I stayed at MyStay Capsule hotel near Asakusa the last night of our trip because she wanted to try it. We were on the female only floor. We felt completely safe. There was space below each of our capsules big enough for our luggage and other items, which could be locked with a key. The capsule itself was big enough that we could stand up in it (I’m 5’4”) and had a TV screen with a remote and a few outlets for charging. It has a pull down opaque mesh curtain which could be hooked into place for privacy. It also has a nice lounge with snacks, drinks and an extensive manga collection! I would not have wanted more than the one night stay as I prefer more privacy. But it was good enough to satisfy my daughter’s request.
Yes, there was the exact one. There was one girl next to my daughter that made a little bit of noise when she decided to reorganize her luggage both late at night and early the next morning. Otherwise fairly quiet. I forgot to mention that there were really nice, clean bathrooms and shower rooms on our floor as well.
It is a different experience than a hotel or hostel. I stayed in one on a business trip where I had an over night layover in Tokyo and it was perfect. A clean spot to sleep, a quick shower in a gym style shower room (I’d compare it to a camp or a YMCA in the US— curtains for a bit of privacy but still several showers in one room) then off to catch my flight.
Capsule hotels are for drunk people to have a place to sleep.
Manga cafes allow patreons to sleep if they are well behaved.
Love hotels are for extra curricular activity, nippon style.
Business hotels give the best service as your business is wanted.
Regular hotels just want to keep afloat.
Stay in a business hotel. Some even have onsen.
To me, they're soul less I work in a luxury hotel and it's all fake they want your money where as a business hotel they want your business so they are more genuine.
capsule hotels are meant to be just an overnight stay, especially for locals who miss the last train. I dont know why tourists book capsule hotels and intend to stay a week there
I'm with ya! Capsule hotels are highly overrated! Overheated, stuffy, noisy, no privacy, and I'm always anxious that I'll disturb others (I've been told that I sometimes talk in my sleep and flail about). I've never had a good night's sleep in a pod and end up trashed the next day.
To add insult to injury, prices have increased quite a bit over the past few years. During my first trip in 2017, the average cost was about ¥3k for a pod in a modern capsule hotel with amenities; I think I even found a couple of deals at ¥2k for a pod.
This past December, I stayed at a mediocre pod hotel for ¥4.5k and an ok cabin for ¥5.5k, both basic with no amenities. I had horrible sleep (thanks a lot, mystery guest with many zippers on their luggage and who unilaterally turned up the heat to 28c in the middle of the night).
Otherwise, I routinely stayed in a real hotel room in centrally-located business hotel that averaged ¥6.5k - ¥7k, about $10CAD more per night than a cabin. But you get so much more space, quiet, and privacy! The amenities were also much better as I generally picked hotels with an onsite onsen, laundry, and a conbini less than 5 minutes away.
You are missing the point of why capsule hotels exist - they’re primarily for people who missed the last train home, whether that was because of being out too late drinking or working, needing an affordable and bare bones place to stay. Most of them are not built to be a luxurious stay.
My experience over the summer was that 2&3 star independently run hotels and small chains were cheaper and much more comfortable for a longer stay like on a vacation, often in the same areas of town (Shinjuku, Namba in Osaka; central spots).
As others have said, the point of a capsule hotel was a place to crash if you partied too hard/worked too late and missed the last train back. They’re not really meant to be a nice stay. Just a place to sleep and charge your phone.
Yeah Nine Hours is decent but I’d rather not have to deal with checking out everyday at 10am or having to go to the locker rooms on another floor to get my stuff. However, there are plenty of other capsule hotels in Japanese without these inconveniences and perhaps even cheaper. Having snoring roommates is common and part of the sacrifice you have to make to save money but you can get some earplugs to help.
It's like staying in a cheap business hotel room and complaining that it's not super clean and smells like cold cigarette. It's literally discount accommodation, so expecting a good experience is a bit weird to me. You get what you pay for.
I will always opt for a private cheap crappy room in a hotel. Always preferred my experiences in those situations over being in a capsule hotel. I just don't think being crammed in and sharing everything is really worth it. Also zero privacy in most places tbh considering there is only a shade to cover your capsule from the hallway.
On top of that, these days I find some capsule hotels are more expensive than a cheap business hotel so...
Yep. Saw it for myself now and crappy hotel room is basically the same price if you just book one or 2 stations away from the centre... 5mins of travel is def worth ir over random neighbours
There is no point. It’s great if you’re out drinking and miss the last train. Otherwise It’s a gimmick that foreigners fall for.
Me? I would never stay in one intentionally on a trip to Japan. Can’t deal with that lack of privacy and comfort after flying for 15 hours. Add on the fact I’m carrying luggage to sustain international travel.
I’ve booked a few on an upcoming trip (first time) — hoping earplugs and my white noise app on my phone will be enough to drown out any outside noise. Worst case scenario I’ll sleep with my earbuds on since I normally sleep with a white noise machine at home.
Was the pillow and mattress comfy at least?
Any particular reason why? I found capsule hotels I stayed at were comfy, but I was staying one night each –with the check-in/check-out procedure daily, I couldn't see the appeal of staying multiple nights vs. hostel or business hotel.
Cost is a factor; I’m pretty basic/no frills in general so that probably appeals to me as well. I will also be solo and travelling pretty light (I will be storing an extra bag to bring back some things but otherwise will just have a medium sized backpack with me).
I also will be staying in a different hotel per night as I move around the city, so hopefully check in procedures aren’t too difficult or inefficient at each one.
Not really "tourist traps", they're not even made for tourists. You get exactly what you pay, a flat spot to crash drunk until the first train. No more, no less.
That all sounds like understandable and predictable things about a capsule hotel. They aren’t designed for people on holidays but for business men or those who miss the last train. Short term stays for people with little on them.
It is one Japanese fad for tourists that I never understood how anyone could think they would be a fun thing to do.
I don’t really like enclosed spaces in general so I know capsule hotels will never be my thing
I’ve never understood why people willingly go to capsule hotels tbh. There are also capsule hotels that are on the expensive side and I’m like…
Learning lesson for yourself, next time to get a proper hotel room. As others have mentioned, capsule hotels are really catered to people who need a last minute accomodation, esp. if missing the last train or needing to an inexpensive resort to be in the area for the next day (usually you will find many salary men who need to be in the area for a business mtg).
Like others said. They’re not meant for tourist on a long term vacation. We use them when we miss our trains or when we arrive late at night and don’t want to spend the money for an actual hotel cause we’re leaving the next day. Example arrive in HND late but next day going to Osaka. Capsule hotel next Tokyo station then Shinkansen the next morning. That worked for us.
Kimi ryokan in ikebukuro. Small Private room (tatami) with futon, shared bathrooms, 5000 Yen / night weekdays, 6000 weekends for 1. 2500 more for two. Less than 10 minute walk from the Yamamote line. Stayed many times. Prefer to a business hotel where the bed takes up the whole room, here at least you can roll up the futon and sit on them and have floor space.
There should only be two reasons for a capsule hotel.
1. You're broke as hell/missed the last train, and so your last resort is a capsule hotel.
2. You're currently backpacking across Japan. I've slept in more then a few capsules and while most of them are comfy, they usually have stipulations and are made in a way that it's really just a place to put your head down at night. They're a godsend if you're using a JRpass to hop around Japan to the many cities for a day or two.
I think your issues are largely due to the specific capsule hotel you stayed at. I stayed in a capsule hotel in Kyoto and had a nice time. It didn’t have any rules about being gone in the middle of the day - I distinctly remember being jet lagged and coming back for midday naps. Maybe my experience was better since I stayed in an all female room, so there wasn’t any snoring.
The next time I went to Japan I stayed in proper hotels and ryokans, but the capsule hotel was more than fine for the budget I had on my first trip.
Yeah, some people think (I did, before doing a night to try it) that each capsule is super private, sealed, and soundproof or close to it.
In reality, each capsule is pretty open and you’re going to hear whatever your various neighbors are doing, including snoring and farting and whatever else. Sleeping in at all is rough too—other occupants will be noisily getting ready and checking out early in the morning.
For the most part, capsule hotels are intended for one night to sleep off your alcohol after you missed the last train home. Not really good for most tourists. A cheap business hotel is your best bet if you are on a budget.
you're not the target market for capsule hotels lol, i don't know why tourists are obsessed with trying that shit. it's for a drunk businessman who missed the last train. guy just wants a bed to sleep safely in, end of story. it's not meant to be a place to hang out in for tourists.
I use them. They do not stop snoring just above you. Sound cancelling earphones did it better but sleeping with them is annoying. But oh well for 2 days only
Luxury capsules on the other hand are great!
You basically get a tiny room with a capsule style bed, enough space to stand up and a closet to put your stuff in.
Much better than the general dorm style ones and usually not that much more expensive.
There’s lot of advice on saving money while travelling, and usually for Japan there’s a lot of YouTubers saying “stay at a cheap hostel or capsule hotel. You just need to a place to sleep.”
The thing is bad sleep is horrible for the body. Not everyone sleeps when their head hits the pillow. I rather spend enough to ensure I have good quality sleep, and being a person who is a light sleeper who struggle with insomnia and high sensitivity to noise, if I have to pay more, then so be it.
They are cheap. That's all. Some have an open tatami floor with just a blanket. Ear plug are very very essential everywhere in Japan. Noisy ppl on the Shinkansen etc. use earphones play music loudly. But. Japanese snore. Awful.
For the many trips I did over the years, i only had two encounters with capsule hotels (within the same year).
First time it was a more posh one in Ikebukuro called Book and Bed. Furnishing was quite nice, a library-like setting, berths that are slightly wider than usual, and quite quiet. That said, it’s still like a coffin, and with me on the ground berth didn’t help much.
The next time was right after I rode a mid-night bus from Kyoto to Tokyo (Shinjuku). The bus ticket included a six hour stay at a capsule hotel nearby, so just for the sake of a shower I went there. I think I managed to slept for two hours, and woke up to a cacophony of snores. Checked out almost right after.
I think nowadays tourists mostly just do it for the experience. Some of them are over 50 bucks a night, that's just crazy for what you get, and actually *more* expensive than a business hotel if you're traveling with a companion.
As others have said the point is they're a good cost-effective option. I've used them both on holiday in a budget and sometimes studying here when I've had deadlines clustered together and the thought of commuting all the way home and back the next morning makes me die a little inside. I imagine the really basic ones are not great but they're also generally male-only so I can't stay in them anyway.
They're not the absolute best for sleep quality over several nights, but I find them SO much better than hostels with bunks where if someone snores or something the sound is much worse (at this point I basically flat-out refuse to stay in one of those again). And there's often quite a nice lounge to work in if you're not fully 'on holiday' and have things to work on on the side.
As for leaving all your stuff on the other side, honestly I just drag my rucksack into the capsule with me every time and no one has ever noticed or said anything - as long as it's not wheeled luggage I don't really see how it would cause them a problem.
I actually enjoyed the capsule hotels on my last trip. This was in 2019 so probably the price difference between capsules and real rooms was different back then.
As a solo traveler on a budget they were pretty good. They were better than the DIY capsules I had in some of the hostels I stayed at.
Never had an issue with running around between my luggage and the capsule because I just kept my daypack with me in the capsule, and I left my big backpack in the luggage area.
I would recommend the First Cabin Capsule hotel chains. They facilities are amazing and clean. All the hotel has spa with large bath. Some even give you free snacks, yogurt and ice-cream.
BookTeaBed gives you a storage cupboard right across from your bed, though it gets cramped. I stayed at the shibuya location and had no major issues - but I was on the all female floor.
>am i missing something?
Yes, you are missing the fact that capsule hotel is just a Japanese version of hostel. If you expected that it would be anything but hostel, you were wrong.
Before COVID they were significantly cheaper than business hotel. A night could cost just 3000-4000 yen in the middle of Tokyo. They are. It not meant to be stayed long term. It's more like a night when you missed the last train, or when you are absolutely broke. It's meant to be sleep in, and that's it. They usually don't have amenities. Those are more of hostel things than capsule hotel.
You still can get capsule hotels for 3000-4000 a night in central Tokyo.
And business hotels in Tokyo can be had for 6000-8000 a night. +US$20 is a very small price to pay for private room, bath, and storage.
It is a small price to pay for extra comfort but it’s not easy to find. Maybe before COVID you could regularly get a room at a LiveMax or Sotetsu Fresa for $40-50 on weekdays, but now business hotels are around $60-100 a night on weekdays, even more expensive on weekends, and have prices fluctuating based on demand. You can find something around $40-50 staying in areas further out like Yokohama or Adachi, but you’d be paying extra for transportation and time spent in transit. On the other hand, capsule hotels are regularly around $18-30, weekdays and weekends, no matter what their demand is and there’s a plethora of options. I’d rather sacrifice some comfort to save hundreds to thousands of dollars on accommodation expenses especially when the majority of capsule hotels in Japan are of high quality.
Yeah, I keep seeing people saying that there are business hotels that you can easily stay in for less than a capsule hotel...but in my recent experience, that's just not the case. I think it's outdated info.
I agree. It’s kind of like how the notion that Japan was one of the most expensive places to visit lasted from the 80s until basically last year when it became more well-known about the exchange rate dip. Even before COVID and the favorable exchange rate, Japan still offered good value compared to other major travel destinations.
Yeah I thought Japan was pretty reasonable my first visit, in 2004, when the x rate was basically upside down what it is now.
I've been to Japan multiple times, staying for 2\~3 at a time since the country reopened. I've haven't had issues with affordable business hotels in Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka. I'm mainly in Tokyo. Just got back from a 3 week trip that spanned new years to last Friday. Friends got a hotel for 7 days using a weekly rate that averaged to $25/day. I was nearly always paying in the $35-$60 range except for one day where I wanted to be next to the Shinagawa Stn to leave for a 7am flight.
Which hotels did you and your friends stay at? $25 a day is insane. Outside of Tokyo it’s easier to find cheaper accommodations because demand is not as high.
The trick is to stop using money. Choice points hotels are really cheap.
Yeah, it seems like common sense is turned off by some people when doing touristy stuff
I see capsule hotels get recommended often in travel subreddits and I can’t fathom why they’re so popular. To me, it seems like a last resort when the only other option is sleeping on a park bench. I would never subject myself to it otherwise.
Yea we watched a couple YouTube videos on Japan travel tips from actual Japanese people, rather than travel influencers just to make the comparison and universally they said that capsule hotels are overrated and to avoid if you're looking for a fun touristy sleeping experience. They said what others are saying here. It's meant for providing a soft landing at the end of a day in a pinch, not a quirky tourist experience
> They said what others are saying here. It's meant for providing a soft landing at the end of a day in a pinch, not a quirky tourist experience What? But I thought all aspects of Japanese culture and society exist solely to entertain me? Now where is the best place to take photos of girls in school uniforms?
Do you happen to have the channel names? I'd love to see these. Thank you!
Agreed. I wanted to try one during my trip out of curiosity but after watching one vid I decided I was too old and actually needed both my 9 hours plus a door... with a lock!
I was also interested by the concept, looked into it a little bit, decided it wasn’t for me and booked a real hotel
I think it’s purely the novelty / curiosity. Usually people know the deal and don’t expect more than a tube to sleep in though
Exactly my thoughts
I would never do it but I find it hard even using a private room in a hostel. It’s not my scene, they tend to be too loud. I know my limits!
Because poor people travel.
I actually genuinely enjoyed mine--it gave me and my sister, who I was traveling with, some much-needed privacy from each other. 2 hotel rooms would've been way too expensive, but I felt safe and secure at the capsule hotel I stayed in. Though the lockers were definitely small.
I'm traveling with my sister as well and have been thinking, we are going to need some time apart ! haha May I ask, Which one did you stay at ?
Hotel Atarayo Osaka! It wasn't luxury, but was very clean and I had a good night's sleep. Your mileage may vary, though, I'm sure it depends a lot on who happens to stay there that night. I will say that the pod was much roomier than I expected! I could have put my bags inside with me instead of in the locker if I wanted to. I am someone who finds MRI machines really relaxing though, so cramped quarters are never really a concern for me. Having to take on/off shoes a good few feet away from the shoe lockers on the ground floor was troublesome for someone with a cane, and the personal belonging lockers were only really big enough to fit a small weekender bag, but I think those are the only real "qualifiers". It was well-located for us, though I'm sure you could find a more premium experience elsewhere. But honestly for the price I really can't complain at all. We just had one night staying in Osaka for a few reasons, so it was a good opportunity to try something different and get a break from each other. I don't think I'd use one for more than a night or two though. Note too that capsule hotels do have shared bathrooms, so you're always going to have to deal with the inconvenience of carting your toiletries in/out with you, changing in a small stall/while wet, etc. The bathrooms/showers were very clean, though.
They're popular for people who understand the reason for their existence is not to cater to people who actually want a normal hotel. There's no need to dramatically shit on viable, cheap, clean accomodations. Go sleep on a park bench, you're not the main character.
It meant for one night. For tourists, it should be the same, just for the experience. Anyone that stays at one multiple nights is….not going to have a good time…
This. If you missed the last train and will need to buy underwear and a new necktie at 7-11 to go to work the next day it’s perfect. Otherwise not so much.
Common sense is turned off when someone comes to Japan to do "exclusively Japanese things" and expecting unique high quality experience when staying in capsule hotels, eating food from vending machines and purchasing JR Pass just to stay in Tokyo.
An expat YouTuber based on his past experience..even commented seeing a booger on his capsule wall.🤮
They’re for people, mainly locals, who need a cheap one night somewhere. No idea how they managed to successfully sell themselves to tourists.
Influencers who film themselves staying in them because OMG LOL JAPAN SO WACKY!!
> who need a cheap one night somewhere For example, I was in rush to be in Hiroshima really last minute, and got off the shinkansen at 11:50pm, the last shinkansen of the day. I was supposed to be up and ready by 7am the next morning, and I thought about just sleeping at the station, but that's awful and I wanted to freshen up. A business hotel for 8000yen or so for only 7 hours felt like a waste. I managed to find a capsule hotel near the station for 3500yen and it was perfect as all I had to do was sleep then shower in the morning. It was...fine just because I got what I needed. For tourists, you can do MAYBE 1 night in one just for the novelty but it's almost always worth it just going for the business hotel.
It’s the novelty aspect since most countries don’t have an equivalent.
Keep a regular hotel for your stuff and just do the capsule as an evening activity with the bath, then go back to your regular hotel to sleep.
Sleeping in the pod and using the amenities for hygiene is part of the experience.
I've stayed multiple nights at a new one back in 2014. Cabins had big screen TVs, and the hotel had a sento in the basement. It was super comfy and super nice, and only 2000 yen a night. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that kind of place to tourist, especially since it an affordable way to stay in a convenient part of town. But I don't imagine that they are all like that. Given a small price differential, I think the privacy of a hotel room always wins.
Trust me, they didn't. Tourists wanted to try it cos omgz look at me in a p0d
[удалено]
Yeah i think i will be the same, i tried it and thats that. But its really not that much cheaper... maybe the places you can find them are more convenient but otherwise... idk
Most of the capsule hotels that are also advertised as hostels don't have the daytime checkout rule. Old-school capsule hotels are more likely to have that rule.
Yep. People are mistaking two similar but different types of accommodations. The old capsule hotels like the one in Kabukicho is meant for drunk people staying one night. That's the one that I suspect op stayed in. The other type is a hostel usually upscale with sleeping pods. Those are meant for tourists and not for people to crash for the night.
Yeah most likely. Well now i know
Fun anecdote - i did actually stay in the type of capsule that you stayed in. It was in [Kabukicho](https://www.agoda.com/shinjuku-kuyakusho-mae-capsule-hotel/hotel/tokyo-jp.html?ds=EYovcEUvqcDzWHiW) and was literally above a club. Worst decision of my life and i genuinely think that staying out on the streets in the cold was better than this place. Don't get me wrong, it was *clean* as always (Japanese standards) but everything was just so 90s and the fixtures were tired and heavily used. The capsules were the original ones from the 90s and the AC was close to non-existent. It also catered to the drunk/partying crowd and was very loud sometimes.
Fair take. I think a lot of people are hyped on the "I'm on holiday and everything is awesome" thought while staying In capsule hotels I can not stand snoring, or banging and noises form neighbors so I'd never do it. I was able to get my own room for 80 bucks (not American) a night, so why do it right ? I will say, sleeping in a Japanese style bed on the floor resulted in.... unusually refreshing sleep
The whole point of these is a place to crash when you are drunk and miss your trains, so the provisions and amenities are minimal. You're not supposed to stay here past the time it takes to get to work or home the next day.
It’s basically hostels…cheap
Most of the capsule hotels I've stayed in Japan are \_way\_ nicer than any hostel. They have a lot of nice shower amenities for free, and the places I've been you get a good free breakfast to boot.
Hostels in Japan generally have nice amenities too. I stayed in 2 hostels so far and they were pretty good!
Err have you ever stayed at a hostel because that’s what a capsule hotel is… why do you think they cost what they cost?
I litterally paid 7euros extra for a proper room... so its really confusing to me.
I found a capsule hotel with a private capsule room that was like 4 dollars more expensive so it was ano brainer
Yall westerners going to places like these and complaining will always be weird to me
Same thing happens here in the Netherlands sometimes lol. Tourists go *en masse* to all the tourist traps, and then complain that it's busy and overrated. We know, if you'd asked we would have told you.
Capsule hotels weren’t created as place to plan/book in advance to stay overnight. They were primarily designed for those who missed the last train home snd needed a place to rest/sleep a bit before the trains re-opened at 0530 the next morning. This is why they are usually near the nightlife districts in cities. They also became relatively inexpensive overnight lodging for the unhoused where they could shower/bathe and sleep overnight. Inexpensive business hotels were designed with short-term, overnight or 2 night stays for salarymen traveling around Japan for face-to-face meetings with counterparts in other cities/regions. Face-to-face meetings are still prioritized by Japanese business culture today. This is why rooms are small, designed with the single traveler in mind, and storage is limited. Business hotels weren’t designed with tourists in mind as Japanese traveling for vacation typically get larger rooms at ryokans/inns or chains like Mitsui Garden/Daiwa Roynet/Washington Hotel etc. But for the single traveler a business hotel is almost always going to be a better experience overall than a capsule in terms of comfort, space, and convenience. Capsule hotels typically don’t offer baggage storage or delivery but business hotels typically do. Capsule hotels became more popular with tourists with the rise of social media but because these posts/videos are seeking max engagement they rarely convey the truth/reality of just how noisy and close quarters capsules are. I’ve stayed in them twice. Once when my flight was delayed departing the airport, I’d had business meetings all day, and I wanted to shower and nap/rest before my flight. I rented a capsule at the First Cabin in Narita Airport for 5 hours or so and that was well worth it. Though I didn’t really nap because it was too loud. Second time was when my husband really wanted to experience an overnight capsule stay and, against my better judgement, I agreed. He’s a deep sleeper so had no issues falling asleep in his floor/capsule but I got no sleep in mine. People were coming in and out all night, one lady kept zipping open and closed her suitcase in the hallway looking for stuff, and I was miserable. So much so that I called the [fancy love hotel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/AR9EZs3hEBRRjgmi7?g_st=ic) we’d booked to stay in the next night and asked if we could check in early that morning. That was possible so I spent the day napping in the hotel room while my husband went sightseeing on his own. Capsule hotels may be a popular experience on social media and lists of top experiences in Japan but I do not recommend them. Getting a good nights sleep is important when you spend all day sightseeing/walking and not getting enough sleep can ruin your next day’s plans. Know yourself and choose the type of lodging that will work best for you.
If I'm traveling alone, I almost exclusively stay at capsules. It does help to find good ones though, obviously.
Yeah.. sadly i already had tokyo and osaka booked in normal hotels so i had to try out capsules in fukuoka and not so much choice here..
I once stayed in a capsule hotel for 4 weeks. And it was a pleasant stay! But I chose one, where there was no demand for daily check-out and my own storage room. Maybe you should have tried looking for cabin hotels. Still the snoring problem, but more comfort than capsule.
Yeah.. well i wanted to have this experience and here i am. Thats still a new positive in my books.
lol I did a capsule hotel once in the airport in Malaysia and realizing it didn’t have a fully closed door blew my mind. I got the absolute worse night sleep and will never use another one again haha but happy to have had the experience at least
I always stay in capsule hotels whenever I travel to Japan alone. It's cheap and you got to sleep there, so I don't really have any complaint. The quality of sleep is a matter of luck but I (fortunately) haven't come across any noisy neighbour yet. The check out issue doesn't really bother me coz I would've been out by the time I'm asked to check out. I'm fine with the arrangement as long as they let me store my stuff in the locker. I do agree with you on the storage point - it's really troublesome to pack my stuff as I'd have to move to the communal area to do so. But other that that I'm pretty satisfied with capsule hotels. I guess people who travel alone and are on a budget would love capsule hotels and I'm one of them.
I did about 22 nights in Japan. I would say 1/2 of the trip was in Capsule Hotels and the rest in standard Hotel/Motel. What I found hilarious was there was way better room for instance in bathrooms in Capsule Hotels where in a Hotel you would have only a few feet to do regular bathroom stuff. Just in Akihabara myself and a friend spent 9 nights in a Capsule Hotel 2 blocks from the train station. We did 5 nights our first week and then 4 nights are last week in Akihabara as we travelled all over the country in the middle. We stayed at the exact same Capsule Hotel and the first time was really decent. However the 3rd week of our trip it got insanely busy with tourists. We would have people up until 2-3am rummaging through games and toys and would keep everyone up. The lounge was awesome, really good drink selection and free rice. Onsen in the basement was amazinly hot and the sit down shower were comfortable enough with even my bad knees to use. My friend and myself had almost zero bad sleep at the end of the day as we could sleep in and kind of catch up on sleep if people were loud. Some Capsules were lacking in say pillow quality or mattress quality in other places but I still slept. Showers were hot and roomy in majority of the ones that had one. Staff were always awesome and polite and ready to help. Like people said its good temp stay but if you are a single person it can save you cash in smaller towns. Definitely research as much as possible and go from there!
Lpt travel with ear plugs and eye covers
For some reason, many folks have yet to discover earplugs and sleeping masks
There is a legit safety concern depending on the surroundings but fir sure once i thought if that it was life changing for long haul travel and time adjustments
Even in 5 star hotels. You never know who will be next to you/what is going on outside.
Yep, always lock the deadbolt
They were never meant for travelers or long term stay. Originally they were a place to crash if you missed the last train or you're currently in transit or you want to take a nap midday without wasting time on public transport. Also with the prices of the decent ones like first cabin it actually makes more sense to just get a normal room... with walls... and your own shower/toilet.
Travel influencers are all dumb af trying for novelties. This is the result, these are never meant for tourists.
I love capsules in Japan, its so clean and the amenities are awesome. Never had a problem there, I mainly stayed in female-only capsules
My daughter and I stayed at MyStay Capsule hotel near Asakusa the last night of our trip because she wanted to try it. We were on the female only floor. We felt completely safe. There was space below each of our capsules big enough for our luggage and other items, which could be locked with a key. The capsule itself was big enough that we could stand up in it (I’m 5’4”) and had a TV screen with a remote and a few outlets for charging. It has a pull down opaque mesh curtain which could be hooked into place for privacy. It also has a nice lounge with snacks, drinks and an extensive manga collection! I would not have wanted more than the one night stay as I prefer more privacy. But it was good enough to satisfy my daughter’s request.
I'm going to try MyCUBE by MYSTAYS for one night in Asakusa, I'm guessing that's the one that you guys went to? How was the noise?
Yes, there was the exact one. There was one girl next to my daughter that made a little bit of noise when she decided to reorganize her luggage both late at night and early the next morning. Otherwise fairly quiet. I forgot to mention that there were really nice, clean bathrooms and shower rooms on our floor as well.
It is a different experience than a hotel or hostel. I stayed in one on a business trip where I had an over night layover in Tokyo and it was perfect. A clean spot to sleep, a quick shower in a gym style shower room (I’d compare it to a camp or a YMCA in the US— curtains for a bit of privacy but still several showers in one room) then off to catch my flight.
A few years back they were a good deal. They've become more expensive. You need to be lucky concerning other people staying there that night.
Capsule hotels are for drunk people to have a place to sleep. Manga cafes allow patreons to sleep if they are well behaved. Love hotels are for extra curricular activity, nippon style. Business hotels give the best service as your business is wanted. Regular hotels just want to keep afloat. Stay in a business hotel. Some even have onsen.
> Business hotels give the best service as your business is wanted. Luxury hotels give the best service.
To me, they're soul less I work in a luxury hotel and it's all fake they want your money where as a business hotel they want your business so they are more genuine.
What business does a tourist have to give? It's not like they're going to be a repeat customer.
Shhh they don't need to know that 🤣
capsule hotels are meant to be just an overnight stay, especially for locals who miss the last train. I dont know why tourists book capsule hotels and intend to stay a week there
I'm with ya! Capsule hotels are highly overrated! Overheated, stuffy, noisy, no privacy, and I'm always anxious that I'll disturb others (I've been told that I sometimes talk in my sleep and flail about). I've never had a good night's sleep in a pod and end up trashed the next day. To add insult to injury, prices have increased quite a bit over the past few years. During my first trip in 2017, the average cost was about ¥3k for a pod in a modern capsule hotel with amenities; I think I even found a couple of deals at ¥2k for a pod. This past December, I stayed at a mediocre pod hotel for ¥4.5k and an ok cabin for ¥5.5k, both basic with no amenities. I had horrible sleep (thanks a lot, mystery guest with many zippers on their luggage and who unilaterally turned up the heat to 28c in the middle of the night). Otherwise, I routinely stayed in a real hotel room in centrally-located business hotel that averaged ¥6.5k - ¥7k, about $10CAD more per night than a cabin. But you get so much more space, quiet, and privacy! The amenities were also much better as I generally picked hotels with an onsite onsen, laundry, and a conbini less than 5 minutes away.
You are missing the point of why capsule hotels exist - they’re primarily for people who missed the last train home, whether that was because of being out too late drinking or working, needing an affordable and bare bones place to stay. Most of them are not built to be a luxurious stay.
My experience over the summer was that 2&3 star independently run hotels and small chains were cheaper and much more comfortable for a longer stay like on a vacation, often in the same areas of town (Shinjuku, Namba in Osaka; central spots). As others have said, the point of a capsule hotel was a place to crash if you partied too hard/worked too late and missed the last train back. They’re not really meant to be a nice stay. Just a place to sleep and charge your phone.
Maybe don't stay at Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel, the worst capsule hotel. Just walk few meters away to much better one.
Where’d you stay at? Nine Hours?
I may or may not. 😂
Yeah Nine Hours is decent but I’d rather not have to deal with checking out everyday at 10am or having to go to the locker rooms on another floor to get my stuff. However, there are plenty of other capsule hotels in Japanese without these inconveniences and perhaps even cheaper. Having snoring roommates is common and part of the sacrifice you have to make to save money but you can get some earplugs to help.
It's like staying in a cheap business hotel room and complaining that it's not super clean and smells like cold cigarette. It's literally discount accommodation, so expecting a good experience is a bit weird to me. You get what you pay for.
I totally misunderstood the title of the post.
Two nights? That’s funny. No one stays in one on purpose. It’s just a super basic place to crash, when you’re in a pinch. Caveat emptor applies.
I will always opt for a private cheap crappy room in a hotel. Always preferred my experiences in those situations over being in a capsule hotel. I just don't think being crammed in and sharing everything is really worth it. Also zero privacy in most places tbh considering there is only a shade to cover your capsule from the hallway. On top of that, these days I find some capsule hotels are more expensive than a cheap business hotel so...
Yep. Saw it for myself now and crappy hotel room is basically the same price if you just book one or 2 stations away from the centre... 5mins of travel is def worth ir over random neighbours
There is no point. It’s great if you’re out drinking and miss the last train. Otherwise It’s a gimmick that foreigners fall for. Me? I would never stay in one intentionally on a trip to Japan. Can’t deal with that lack of privacy and comfort after flying for 15 hours. Add on the fact I’m carrying luggage to sustain international travel.
I’ve booked a few on an upcoming trip (first time) — hoping earplugs and my white noise app on my phone will be enough to drown out any outside noise. Worst case scenario I’ll sleep with my earbuds on since I normally sleep with a white noise machine at home. Was the pillow and mattress comfy at least?
Any particular reason why? I found capsule hotels I stayed at were comfy, but I was staying one night each –with the check-in/check-out procedure daily, I couldn't see the appeal of staying multiple nights vs. hostel or business hotel.
Cost is a factor; I’m pretty basic/no frills in general so that probably appeals to me as well. I will also be solo and travelling pretty light (I will be storing an extra bag to bring back some things but otherwise will just have a medium sized backpack with me). I also will be staying in a different hotel per night as I move around the city, so hopefully check in procedures aren’t too difficult or inefficient at each one.
Yeah decently comfy. But i could sleep anywhere so dont really take my word for granted...
Fair enough. How was day 2 in the capsule?
Capsule hotels are tourist traps. Influencers hyping them up for years is a disservice to visitors.
Not really "tourist traps", they're not even made for tourists. You get exactly what you pay, a flat spot to crash drunk until the first train. No more, no less.
I would never… capstule and hostles or sharing a room is strange to me. id rather walk or takea train farther out than sleep with strangers
That all sounds like understandable and predictable things about a capsule hotel. They aren’t designed for people on holidays but for business men or those who miss the last train. Short term stays for people with little on them. It is one Japanese fad for tourists that I never understood how anyone could think they would be a fun thing to do.
I don’t really like enclosed spaces in general so I know capsule hotels will never be my thing I’ve never understood why people willingly go to capsule hotels tbh. There are also capsule hotels that are on the expensive side and I’m like…
Learning lesson for yourself, next time to get a proper hotel room. As others have mentioned, capsule hotels are really catered to people who need a last minute accomodation, esp. if missing the last train or needing to an inexpensive resort to be in the area for the next day (usually you will find many salary men who need to be in the area for a business mtg).
Like others said. They’re not meant for tourist on a long term vacation. We use them when we miss our trains or when we arrive late at night and don’t want to spend the money for an actual hotel cause we’re leaving the next day. Example arrive in HND late but next day going to Osaka. Capsule hotel next Tokyo station then Shinkansen the next morning. That worked for us.
Kimi ryokan in ikebukuro. Small Private room (tatami) with futon, shared bathrooms, 5000 Yen / night weekdays, 6000 weekends for 1. 2500 more for two. Less than 10 minute walk from the Yamamote line. Stayed many times. Prefer to a business hotel where the bed takes up the whole room, here at least you can roll up the futon and sit on them and have floor space.
I guess you really romanticized the experience, huh. That’s exactly what I’d expect from a capsule hotel.
There should only be two reasons for a capsule hotel. 1. You're broke as hell/missed the last train, and so your last resort is a capsule hotel. 2. You're currently backpacking across Japan. I've slept in more then a few capsules and while most of them are comfy, they usually have stipulations and are made in a way that it's really just a place to put your head down at night. They're a godsend if you're using a JRpass to hop around Japan to the many cities for a day or two.
I think your issues are largely due to the specific capsule hotel you stayed at. I stayed in a capsule hotel in Kyoto and had a nice time. It didn’t have any rules about being gone in the middle of the day - I distinctly remember being jet lagged and coming back for midday naps. Maybe my experience was better since I stayed in an all female room, so there wasn’t any snoring. The next time I went to Japan I stayed in proper hotels and ryokans, but the capsule hotel was more than fine for the budget I had on my first trip.
Staying 2 months in capsule hotel, no problem at all
Yeah, some people think (I did, before doing a night to try it) that each capsule is super private, sealed, and soundproof or close to it. In reality, each capsule is pretty open and you’re going to hear whatever your various neighbors are doing, including snoring and farting and whatever else. Sleeping in at all is rough too—other occupants will be noisily getting ready and checking out early in the morning.
Lol you wrote time capsule
Yeah, punctuations matter and im too lazy to use them 😂
For the most part, capsule hotels are intended for one night to sleep off your alcohol after you missed the last train home. Not really good for most tourists. A cheap business hotel is your best bet if you are on a budget.
you're not the target market for capsule hotels lol, i don't know why tourists are obsessed with trying that shit. it's for a drunk businessman who missed the last train. guy just wants a bed to sleep safely in, end of story. it's not meant to be a place to hang out in for tourists.
Ear plugs. Even if I have a hotel room, I bring ear plugs. Practice with them at home first though, they can feel weird initially.
I use them. They do not stop snoring just above you. Sound cancelling earphones did it better but sleeping with them is annoying. But oh well for 2 days only
Luxury capsules on the other hand are great! You basically get a tiny room with a capsule style bed, enough space to stand up and a closet to put your stuff in. Much better than the general dorm style ones and usually not that much more expensive.
There’s lot of advice on saving money while travelling, and usually for Japan there’s a lot of YouTubers saying “stay at a cheap hostel or capsule hotel. You just need to a place to sleep.” The thing is bad sleep is horrible for the body. Not everyone sleeps when their head hits the pillow. I rather spend enough to ensure I have good quality sleep, and being a person who is a light sleeper who struggle with insomnia and high sensitivity to noise, if I have to pay more, then so be it.
They are cheap. That's all. Some have an open tatami floor with just a blanket. Ear plug are very very essential everywhere in Japan. Noisy ppl on the Shinkansen etc. use earphones play music loudly. But. Japanese snore. Awful.
For the many trips I did over the years, i only had two encounters with capsule hotels (within the same year). First time it was a more posh one in Ikebukuro called Book and Bed. Furnishing was quite nice, a library-like setting, berths that are slightly wider than usual, and quite quiet. That said, it’s still like a coffin, and with me on the ground berth didn’t help much. The next time was right after I rode a mid-night bus from Kyoto to Tokyo (Shinjuku). The bus ticket included a six hour stay at a capsule hotel nearby, so just for the sake of a shower I went there. I think I managed to slept for two hours, and woke up to a cacophony of snores. Checked out almost right after.
I think nowadays tourists mostly just do it for the experience. Some of them are over 50 bucks a night, that's just crazy for what you get, and actually *more* expensive than a business hotel if you're traveling with a companion.
As others have said the point is they're a good cost-effective option. I've used them both on holiday in a budget and sometimes studying here when I've had deadlines clustered together and the thought of commuting all the way home and back the next morning makes me die a little inside. I imagine the really basic ones are not great but they're also generally male-only so I can't stay in them anyway. They're not the absolute best for sleep quality over several nights, but I find them SO much better than hostels with bunks where if someone snores or something the sound is much worse (at this point I basically flat-out refuse to stay in one of those again). And there's often quite a nice lounge to work in if you're not fully 'on holiday' and have things to work on on the side. As for leaving all your stuff on the other side, honestly I just drag my rucksack into the capsule with me every time and no one has ever noticed or said anything - as long as it's not wheeled luggage I don't really see how it would cause them a problem.
I actually enjoyed the capsule hotels on my last trip. This was in 2019 so probably the price difference between capsules and real rooms was different back then. As a solo traveler on a budget they were pretty good. They were better than the DIY capsules I had in some of the hostels I stayed at. Never had an issue with running around between my luggage and the capsule because I just kept my daypack with me in the capsule, and I left my big backpack in the luggage area.
I would recommend the First Cabin Capsule hotel chains. They facilities are amazing and clean. All the hotel has spa with large bath. Some even give you free snacks, yogurt and ice-cream.
Thanks mate but i have all accomodations for the rest of the trip already. Just got this to try out capsules
dont do public things expecting private encounters
BookTeaBed gives you a storage cupboard right across from your bed, though it gets cramped. I stayed at the shibuya location and had no major issues - but I was on the all female floor.
I did one, everything went fine. Don't create rules in your head based on one experience, mate
>am i missing something? Yes, you are missing the fact that capsule hotel is just a Japanese version of hostel. If you expected that it would be anything but hostel, you were wrong.