Capsule Hotels in Japan

For the budget conscious traveler, capsule hotels may be the best answer for clean and affordable lodging while in Japan.  A capsule hotel (カプセルホテル kapuseru hoteru) is a popular type of affordable accommodation in Japan for the weary traveler who may have had a bit too much to drink, missed the last train home, or needs a place to sleep for the night that has  basic amenities without the services offered by other regular hotels.

A typical capsule is made of fiberglass a little over 6 ft. long and 4 ft. wide. It has enough room for you to sleep comfortably in (provided you’re not over 6 ft. tall), and some capsules are big enough for you to sit upright.

Most pods are equipped with a small television, wireless internet connection, small console, dimmable lighting, and wall-mounted alarm clock. To ensure your privacy, the capsules have curtains and a door at one end. The pods are stacked side by side, two units high. There are communal washrooms for men and women, locker rooms for your belongings, and restaurants or vending machines for food and drink. Some capsule hotels have pools and other entertainment facilities. Smoking and eating are not allowed inside the capsule. An overnight stay in your very own pod can cost about 3,500 Yen (about $36).

The famous Japanese architect Kisho Kurosawa designed the very first capsule hotel, Capsule Inn Osaka, in 1979. The concept of an efficient, affordable place to stay for the night quickly caught on for busy Japanese yuppies.

Soon, more hotels offering the same type of service sprouted all around Japan. Capsule hotels are even a convenient place to stay for jobless people, who rent pods by the month.

Staying at a capsule hotel may not be for someone who is claustrophobic. Personally, I can’t even compare it to a coffin because it is much too big and comfortable. Capsule hotels are uniquely Japanese, truly one of the must-try things when visiting Japan.