Capsule Hotels in Japan

What is a capsule hotel? A capsule hotel can be described as a hotel law that provides densely populated chamber which contains rooms of a relatively standardized size based on modular plastic or fibreglass sleeping quarters. Other than your own room, all other facilities are shared.

History

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Although they are quintessentially Japanese, the first capsule hotel was only built in 1979 by a chap in Osaka by the name of Kisho Kurokawa. The rates were a bit lower back then at about 1,600 yen. They are a uniquely Japanese phenomenon not only because of space restrictions but because Japan is still a relatively safe country and such a facility would be unthinkable in many other countries.

It wasn't until 1985, when the Tsukuba Science Expo was held, that capsule hotels became well known in Japan. There wasn't adequate room to accommodate everybody so the organisers decided to make capsule hotels so everybody could enjoy the expo and stay overnight. This became big news when reported on Japanese television, and since then capsule hotels have become part of the Japanese vocabulary. The first reported capsule hotel in Tokyo was Green Plaza Shinjuku, placed in the red light district of Kabukicho. The Green Plaza is also the biggest one in Tokyo with 630 rooms.

How to use a capsule hotel

Most do not have a key to the room so you need to place your valuables in a cut off locker. You have to share the bathroom, rest room and bath with everybody else (most capsule hotels have a sauna included). Most of the basics are in case,granted and they have a social bath which you share with other clientele. Many capsule hotels have a large bath called a 'Rotenburo' which means 'open air bath' where you can relax under the open sky. When you enter you have to take off your shoes, put them in a shoe locker and lock it with the key which is provided. You then give the shoe locker key to the reception staff and they contribute you with an additional one key for a small clothes locker. At this point they give you a record of how their law works.

There is commonly a Yukata, bath towel and a small hand towel in the locker in which you place your belongings. After you do this you can then go to your room. You can watch a small television while lying down (usually colse to 8 inches). In fact, the capsule hotels are so covenant that it is possible to operate the lights, air conditioning, Tv, radio and Alarm Clock from the bed without having to move. One negative aspect of most are not sound proof, so it is possible to hear the man next to you snoring (earplugs are recommended). Most hotels have a two-tiered law so each room has two capsule rooms - one on top and one on the bottom. The population at the front tell you either you are on the top or bottom one and you can way the top bunk rooms via the stairs provided. For those over about 190cm, you have to bend your legs slightly when you go to bed. For those who are a itsybitsy overweight there commonly isn't a qoute with the width.

Location

They are in general found in central city areas where it is common for population to miss the last train or bus. Nearly all capsule hotels are within walking length of a station.

Reservations

Although many population use capsule hotels because they miss the last train home, it is possilbe to make reservations via the internet or by phone.

Conditions

Many of them only accept men, but there are some which are exclusive to women. In terms of time restrictions, most places have a check in time of 17:00 and check out time of 10:00am. Depending on the type of capsule hotel, you are required to return to the hotel by 02:00, but others are 24 hours. Although most want you to stay a night, there are some which allow you to use facilities for a shorter period of time if you just want to take a break. For example, at Capsule Inn Akihabara they allow you to take a shower for 500 yen or sleep/rest for 3 hours for 1,200 yen or 7 hours for 2,500 yen. Some places have restrictions on how many nights you can stay, so if you are looking to stay for a period of more than 2 nights you should check their conditions before booking.

Capsule Hotels are belief to be men only domains, but there are many places available where women can stay. Some are exclusive to women and some allow both men and women to stay in the same complex, although the chamber areas and bathing are separated. At most of them, you can not take your own food or drink into and you must be over 18.

Recent trends

Although foreigners report capsule hotels as 'Coffin hotels', in many cases this is an unfair description. Some of the more up-to-date capsule hotels have internet access, a key for your room, inexpressive videos (such as Hotel Dandy in Ueno) and a inexpressive shower room. They also have cabin types which have a chair and table. More recently, double-bed capsule hotels have been introduced where you are allowed two population to a room. In many of the new establishments, on the top floor they have an open sauna (rotenburo) and a cut off massage room. In particular, some of the women only capsule hotels are quite extravagant with high capability spas.

Alternative accommodation

If you are looking for something even cheaper  (although perhaps not quite as comfortable), other alternatives are Kenkou (health) land or Manga Kissatens.

Capsule Hotels in Japan

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