A Guide to Tokyo’s Best Capsule Hotels
Capsule hotels have become part of Tokyo travelers' folklore. These space-economic establishments offer guests a cozy little slice of heaven, a place to rest, wash and recharge all for a bargain price, the only cost? A little extra legroom. Originally these facilities were designed for late-night workers and hard partiers that missed the last train, but thanks to their popularity among visitors, this genre of hotel has undergone a reinvention over the past few decades.
The best part of staying at a capsule hotel is often the location; you can spend the night in the city's center for a fraction of the cost of a regular hotel but still retain more privacy than you could get at any hostel. These capsule hotels, however, offer more than just a place to pass out, from authentic salaryman-style living to luxury bed booths that come with immersive cinemas screens, to beds that double as sleep labs ready to read your body's rhythms while you snooze, the capsule hotel is more than an accommodation option, it's a cultural experience.
1. Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
Today there is a range of capsule hotels and budget accommodations in Tokyo, however, sometimes it's fun to just stick to the classics, and Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel is one of Tokyo's more 'authentic' Japanese capsule hotel experiences. It's located in one of the city's liveliest districts, Shinjuku.
The area is home to late-night haunts, karaoke bars, weary travelers, and suited-up salary workers, making it a melting pot of people and a place where the night, and the last train, can easily get away from you. Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel is a hotel that was most likely built to house that late-night, over-time-working, last-train missing crowd.
The capsules are separated by gender and are no-frills in terms of style. They're comfortable and utilitarian, and the hotel has a public bath for a little extra relaxation. To stay here is to experience classic modern-day Japan.
2. Sauna & Capsule Hotel Hokuo
A one-minute walk from Ueno Station, a bustling station that services one of Tokyo's most lively neighborhoods, is Sauna & Capsule Hotel Hokuo, a simple, stripped-back capsule hotel that offers soothing spa treatments and a cozy place to rest. Best for those looking to spend a night or two in the area while exploring everything Tokyo has to offer, the rooms are simple and comfortable and follow the more classic capsule style, a self-contained room with a storage locker nearby.
As part of the room booking, you have access to the hotel's baths – indoor and outdoor – too, which are pumped full of mineral-rich water from Tochiomata Onsen in Niigata Prefecture. There's also a restaurant on-site serving simple Japanese comfort dishes like soba noodles, curry, salmon with natto and rice, and mugs of ice-cold crispy beer. Sometimes the simple pleasures are all you need.
3. The Millennials Shibuya
Combining slick lifestyle hotel design with the comfort and ease of capsule hotel convenience, The Millennials is a forward-thinking hotel brand that argues the case that less – in this case, space – can mean more. The facility is very community and communal living oriented, with open co-working spaces, modern, stylish communal areas, and rental amenities.
The hotel also has a few different capsule types, from more standard but still cozy pods to the theatre pod, which is decked out with an 80" projection screen. Each pod is also equipped with smart technology in the form of an in-house-only app that centralizes functions like lighting, airflow, and mattress incline. And for those who like to spend more time exploring and less time in bed, the location is perfect, too, as it's just a three-minute walk from the Shibuya Crossing.
4. nine hours Otemachi
nine hours Otemachi is a concept-style capsule hotel that is a little more stripped back than, say, The Millennials, more modern-lifestyle inspired than your classic capsule hotel, but still minimalist and chic. As the name suggests, the hotel is designed to suit those who need to pop in for a few hours before heading off on their next adventure.
The name is based on the idea that the purpose of a capsule hotel should be to reset from the old day to the new day, for which there are, they say, three basic actions "1h (washing) + 7h (sleep) + 1h (getting dressed)." A little sci-fi and very convenient, the brand has hotel locations all over Japan, with membership options available too. The Otemachi location offers easy access to some of central Tokyo's key destinations, like the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, a key transit station for exploring wider Japan.
5. nine hours Suidobashi
Located a two-minute walk from Suidobashi Station and a four-minute walk from Tokyo Dome, nine hours Suidobashi is an easy choice for those looking for a convenient stay when trekking through Tokyo. One of the other features of nine hours Suidobashi's capsule rooms is the uniquely cocoon-shaped beds, which are private and cozy in equal measure.
The beds are also equipped with special 'Gymnast Plus' pillows developed by Kitamura – one of Japan's most respected pillow companies – all the pillows have been resized to best fit the capsule beds. This facility also has a casual lounge space on the 6th floor with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering excellent panoramic city views and a co-working space open to anyone for just ¥300 per hour.
6. nine hours Akasaka sleep lab
Going beyond just a capsule hotel, the nine hours Akasaka sleep lab offers everything the other nine hours outposts offer. Here you can expect a convenient, affordable, modern, and comfortable stay without the frills but with all the minimalist style. Its sleek interiors fit in well with the stylish luxury hotel-populated district of Akasaka. However, there's one thing this outpost has that the other nine hours outposts don't, and that's being the first capsule hotel in Japan to offer sleep analysis services.
The capsule units can measure your sleeping conditions, including sleep quality and respiratory status while you sleep, and provide you with an insightful analysis report based on the data, which will help you better understand your body. It's a unique little perk but worth taking advantage of if you're feeling a little travel weary, who knows you might learn something new about yourself!