Are you looking for a special and original accommodation in Tokyo? Maybe not too far from a well connected train station? If you are traveling on a budget and want to book a cheap stay in the capital of Japan for a night or two, capsule hotels are definitely among your best options...unless you suffer from claustrophobia!
- What is a Japanese capsule hotel?
- Why stay in a Tokyo capsule hotel?
- What services does a Japanese capsule hotel offer?
- Tokyo Capsule hotels for men and women
- Best capsule hotels in Tokyo
- Nine Hours Takebashi capsule hotel
- Nine Hours Shinjuku capsule hotel
- Centurion Hotel Residential Cabin Tower capsule hotel
- Centurion Ladies Hostel Ueno Park capsule hotel
- The Global Hotel Tokyo capsule hotel
- Capsule Hotel Transit Shinjuku capsule hotel
- First Cabin Nihonbashi Suitengu capsule hotel
- First Cabin TKP Ichigaya capsule hotel
- MyCube by MYSTAYS Asakusa Kuramae capsule hotel
- Glansit Akihabara capsule hotel
- Do-c Ebisu capsule hotel (finnish sauna)
- Ueno Station Hostel Oriental I capsule hotel
- Mayu Tokyo Woman capsule hotel
- Tokyo Ginza BAY HOTEL - capsule hotel
- Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinjuku capsule hotel
What is a Japanese capsule hotel?
Capsule hotels: the name speaks for itself. They are very special low-cost hostels. Though they have something different from common hostels. Tokyo capsule hotels are shaped as modular blocks built at a human scale. The "rooms" consist of a very spartan space provided only with the basic amenities to sleep. Capsules, indeed.
It can be said that capsule hotels are a typical Japanese accommodation although there are some fanciful versions in Europe and other parts of Asia. Japan capsule hotels appeared in the early 90s, as an accommodation solution for all those commuters who were late for work and missed the last train home.
Why stay in a Tokyo capsule hotel?
Nowadays Japanese capsule hotels don't cater to locals, but they are also very popular with tourists and curious travellers from all over the world. There are several reasons for booking a stay in a capsule hotel. First of all, to experience a new kind of accommodation in Japanese style: it's not for everyone to sleep inside a capsule! Second, capsule hotels don't cost as much as regular hotel. As you can guess, the capsule hotels in Japan, are all but expensive. Also, capsules provide more privacy and comfort compared to regular hostels in Tokyo.
About Tokyo capsule hotels price: sleeping in a capsule, usually costs between 2,000 and 4,000 yen per night (about 16-32 euros). They are usually located nearby train stations and main Tokyo districts such as Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ikebukuro, Jimbocho.
What services does a Japanese capsule hotel offer?
If you are wondering how rooms in Japanese capsule hotels are composed, here is some information about their interior. Usually, a capsule is as big as a single size bed and there is not much you can do inside it except lying down or sitting down. It consists of a fiberglass block, that can be shut from the inside by pulling a small door and a curtain. The standard size of the unit is about two meters long, one meter and twenty centimeters wide and a little more than one meter high. The dimensions may vary depending on the hotel.
Once inside, capsules are provided with the strictly necessary to rest: futon mattress, sheets, pillow, power socket. There are also "luxury capsule hotel", which include more amenities such as Wi-Fi, USB sockets and in some cases television.
In most cases, these capsules are aligned on both sides of a corridor, in several levels, and form the unique hive shape.
Capsule hotels also provide shared bathrooms and common areas: living room, laundries, games rooms and libraries. Shoes and luggages, especially the most bulky ones, must be stored in special lockers at check-in.
Tokyo Capsule hotels for men and women
Capsule hotels are the ideal choice for solo travelers without too many suitcases. That's the ideal option for about a-2-night stay in Tokyo. If you are looking for capsule hotel in Tokyo for couples, you should bear in mind that this type of hotel offers separate sections for men and women. So, couples will be spending their night in different areas. In fact, Tokyo capsule hotels have opened to female guests only in the last few years.
Whether you are looking for the famous Nine hours Tokyo capsule hotel, for a luxury capsule hotel or for a cheap one, the following guide to the best capsule hotels for couples and solo travelers, will provide useful tips to book the best possible accommodation solution in Tokyo.
Best capsule hotels in Tokyo
If you too have decided to experience a Japanese capsule hotel, here is a list of the 15 best capsule hotels in Tokyo, with information about price, location and level of comfort.
Nine Hours Takebashi capsule hotel
Chiyoda-ku Kanda Nishikicho 3-11-15
The Nine Hours chain is well known in Tokyo and throughout Japan for its modern reinterpretation of the Japanese capsule hotel concept. We can consider it as a "five stars" capsule hotel. This hotel is conveniently located in a central area of the city, just a few steps from the Imperial Palace and the Oriental Gardens.
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Nine Hours Shinjuku capsule hotel
Shinjuku-ku, Hyakunin Cho 1-4-15
Another Japanese capsule hotel belonging to the Nine Hours chain. This hotel is located in the heart of Shinjuku, among the most dynamic neighborhoods of Tokyo and vibrant center of the city nightlife.
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Centurion Hotel Residential Cabin Tower capsule hotel
Minato-ku Akasaka 3-12-16
A very warm and cosy accommodation option with the wooden units and provided with flat-screen satellite TV. The hotel is located in the beautiful district of Akasaka, between business buildings and beautiful shrines.
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Centurion Ladies Hostel Ueno Park capsule hotel
Taito ku Ueno 2-11-13
This is a pearl for women only, close to the beautiful Ueno Park, a must-see destination during the cherry tree season. It is located not too far from the main temples and places of interest of Tokyo.
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The Global Hotel Tokyo capsule hotel
Shinjuku-ku, Hyakunincho 1-8-17
Another capsule hotel in Shinjuku area. It is located at walking distance from the train station of the same name. In addition to basic amenities, there is a garden terrace and laundry service.
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Capsule Hotel Transit Shinjuku capsule hotel
Shinjuku-ku Kabukicho 2-19-15
Always in the heart of Shiknjuku, the hotel is appreciated for its imaginative interiors and colorful capsules. Just a little more than a kilometer from the hotel stands the imposing Metropolitan Government Palace and its the observatory deck placed at 2 meters high.
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First Cabin Nihonbashi Suitengu capsule hotel
44-6, Hakozakicho Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
With its new, fine and elegant architecture, it is very different from traditional capsule hotels. The units are quite spacious, both in width and height. They have a raised bed and chest of drawers. It is located between the beautiful neighborhoods of Ryogoku and Nihonbashi.
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First Cabin TKP Ichigaya capsule hotel
Shinjuku-ku Ichigayahachimanmachi 8 TKP Ichigaya Bldg
Another pearl of the First Cabin chain. The unit is very similar to Nihonbashi capsule room and features also a bar. The point of interests near the capsule hotel are the opulent Akasaka Palace and the Yasakuni Shrine.
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MyCube by MYSTAYS Asakusa Kuramae capsule hotel
aito-Ku, Kuramae 2-6-7
A 2-minute walk from Kuramae station and well connected to the main attractions of Tokyo, the facility offers spacious and comfortable capsules for both men and women and a rich breakfast. Unlike many capsule hotels, here you can keep the baggage inside the capsule!
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Glansit Akihabara capsule hotel
Chiyoda-ku Sotokanda, 4-4-6
These capsule rooms feature every technological comfort and a bathroom area with Jacuzzi. It is the ideal accommodation for lovers of electronics, video games, cosplay and manga (to match the vibe of Akihabara!).
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Do-c Ebisu capsule hotel (finnish sauna)
Shibuyaku, Ebisu, 1-8-1
This Japanese capsule hotel is localed in western Tokyo, very close to the Ebisu station and 20 minutes walk from the colorful Shibuya district. Do-c Ebisu is probably the only capsule in Tokyo with a traditional finnish sauna, free to use! This accommodation is a perfect choice for those who need to get to Hanenda International Airport.
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Ueno Station Hostel Oriental I capsule hotel
Taito-ku, Ueno, 6-9-9
Efficient and well-organized, in the Japanese traditional style. If you feel tired after a day in Tokyo, come back to this hotel and book a massage!
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Mayu Tokyo Woman capsule hotel
Chuoku, Minato 1-12-10
This capsule hotel for women only offers the access to communal terrace where to relax and, why not, make new friends. The accommodation is within walking distance from Tsukiji, historic home of the famous Tokyo fish market (today in Toyosu) and near Ginza.
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Tokyo Ginza BAY HOTEL - capsule hotel
Chuo-ku, Ginza 7-13-15
The hotel is located only 0.3 miles from the main streets of Ginza, luxury shopping district and gourmet restaurants. The structure reflects the elegant identity of the area: meticulous cleanliness and a really rich courtesy set (even a set of nightwear and towels are provided!).
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Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinjuku capsule hotel
Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 4-2-10
Only a 4-minute walk from the station of the eccentric Shinjuku district, this Japanese capsule hotel is characterized by services impossible to find in other capsule hotels of Tokyo.