For many travelers, staying in a capsule hotel in Tokyo is a must-do. We can’t honestly say they’re the pinnacle of comfort, but they do make for a good story when you get home.
From bare basics to surprisingly fancy, these days there are lots of different capsule hotels out there to choose from. Plus, lots of hostels have started installing sleeping pods in their dormitory rooms too. So to kick start your planning, here’s everything you need to know about capsule hotels in Japan and our picks for the best capsule hotels in Tokyo and beyond.
What is a capsule hotel, exactly?
Capsule hotels consist of tiny pod-like rooms – or sleeping pods — stacked together, providing the bare minimum in terms of space and amenities. The first capsule hotel, designed by Kisho Kurokawa (a pretty famous architect), went up in Osaka in 1979. They are also sometimes known as sleep pods, cube hotels, or cubicle hotels. Inside, there’s just enough room for a person to crawl inside, lie down, and (maybe) sit up.
Basic amenities include a light and a power outlet, but more modern capsule hotels may also provide a TV, lock box, or a small amount of storage space. You’ll need headphones for the TV, but most places provide some or have them available for rent. Rooms will have air-conditioning but there may or may not be vents in the capsule. There are no locks on the sleeping pod, only a shutter or curtain for you to get some privacy.
Capsule hotels tend to be in convenient locations, like near major train stations. They used to primarily attract salarymen, who would turn up after having missed the last train. Or because it just made more sense to sleep near the office rather than making the long commute home and back. So, like love hotels, capsule hotels weren’t the kind of accommodations you booked in advance. Fortunately though, these days you can now book a capsule hotel ahead of time online.
Fun fact: Kisho Kurokawa also designed the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo. It’s not a capsule hotel (or hotel at all), but a very cool work of architecture. Unfortunately, it was demolished in 2022, although parts of it were preserved.
The best capsule hotels in Tokyo
All the capsule hotels listed here are open to both men and women.
1. Nine Hours Narita Airport
Narita Airport Terminal 2 (outside security)¥6,000
Book here
Welcome to Japan! Are you stuck waiting for a connecting flight? Did you arrive past midnight? If so, this capsule hotel attached to Terminal 2 of Narita Airport is a godsend. (It’s also the source of all those Google searches for “capsule hotel nine hours” and perhaps the urban legend about how you can only stay in a capsule hotel for nine hours.)
The hotel has lockers, showers, and a lounge, plus a kind of futuristic interior design. Toiletries are provided and breakfast can be added for ¥1,000. You can also book a capsule by the hour during the day, for a quick nap. That costs ¥1,500 for the first hour and ¥500 for each additional hour.
2. First Cabin Haneda
1st fl., Haneda Airport Terminal 1¥8,900
Book here
Not to be beaten by Narita, Haneda Airport also has a capsule hotel, inside Terminal 1. It’s called First Cabin Haneda, and as the name implies, this is fancier than your average Tokyo capsule hotel. Indeed, they have much more space and actual beds, making their rooms look more like mini-hotel rooms than capsule pods. Size aside, the only other reminder that you’re not in a regular hotel is the lack of a lockable door.
3. Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
Shinjuku¥3,800
Book here
A short walk from Shinjuku Station’s east exit is the Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel, a classic Tokyo capsule hotel which has a 24-hour bath and sauna, and a business-and-relaxation lounge with WiFi and PCs. The hotel also has a restaurant and coin laundry machines.
4. Capsule Inn Kinshichō
Sumida¥3,500
Book here
Situated a few stops from Akihabara, this capsule hotel is a great jumping-off point for anyone bent on exploring the city-center. It’s also near some popular attractions, like sumo stables and the Sumida Hokusai Museum. The hotel offers a bar, coffee shop and restaurant, a sauna, hot spring baths, a fitness center, and free WiFi.
5.Smart Stay SHIZUKU Shinagawa-Ōimachi
Shinagawa¥4,980
here
A 5-minute train ride from Shinagawa Station is Smart Stay Shizuku Shinagawa-Ōimachi. Its location makes it a great choice for sleeping after a late-night or before an early morning Shinkansen ride. All amenities are new and the facilities include a sauna, public bath, canteen, and lounge.
6.The Global Hotel Tokyo
Shinjuku¥4,000
here
The Global Hotel Tokyo has a lot going for it, including free breakfast and multilingual staff. It’s also in a great location — it’s sandwiched between Shinjuku and Shin-Okuba (aka Koreatown) — so you’re within walking distance of food, entertainment, and popular attractions. The capsules are comfy, and guests can head up to the rooftop for a view of the surrounding area.
7.Glansit Akihabara
Akihabara¥6,000
here
Just a 5-minute walk from Akihabara Station, Glansit Akihabara is a modern capsule hotel in Tokyo. The place is stylish, and there are two types of capsule to choose from (standard and superior). Plus, there are also short stay options (1 to 5 hours). Breakfast is available for an extra charge, and there is a public bath for guests to enjoy.
8. Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa
Asakusa¥7,000
here
For a more luxe feel, Resol Poshtel Tokyo in Asakusa is a great option. Sure, it has a higher price than a lot of the other options, but the well-thought out design and amenities make it worth it. The sleeping pods are much roomier because they’re not bunk bed-style, and there’s dedicated luggage storage space. Plus, there’s a beautiful common area with tatami mats for guests to socialize and plan their travels.
The best capsule hostels in Tokyo
Recently, lots of hostels have started to use sleeping pods in their designs too. We’ve fondly termed them “capsule hostels” because while they use sleeping pods, they are more geared towards tourists than traditional capsule hotels. Capsule hostels tend to have more common spaces, allow both men and women to stay, and are more comfortable. They’re also more likely to have tourist information, multilingual staff, and offer breakfast.
1. Book And Bed Tokyo Shinjuku
Shinjuku¥8,000
Book here
Book And Bed is one of those hostels that often does the rounds on social media, and for good reason. This place is a bookworm’s delight, with an impressive range of books to choose from, including some in English. Just keep in mind that this place is more about esthetics than anything else, with thin mattresses and noise being common concerns among guests.
2. Unplan Shinjuku
Shinjuku¥6,000
Book here
With a design intended to remind you of Kabukichō’s neon lights, Unplan Shinjuku isn’t about to let you forget where you are. The hostel has four room types, with the dormitory rooms using sleeping pods. There are plenty of areas for socializing, including a common room with games and a rooftop terrace. Plus, there’s an onsite restaurant and bar.
3. Hotel Tomariya Ueno
Ueno¥3,800
Book here
Hotel Tomariya is another option with a strong esthetic. Expect to see lots of bold graphic art and traditional Japanese embellishments alongside the more modern-looking capsules. The lobby has space for guests to enjoy light meals and socialize, and the location in Ueno is top-notch.
4. The Wardrobe Hotel Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa¥4,000
Book here
The neighborhood of Shimokitazawa is a favorite with locals, and a great spot to stay if you’re after somewhere lively but not as crowded as Shibuya or Shinjuku. The Wardrobe Hotel offers a calm atmosphere, and simple hostel facilities like a shared kitchen and a common room. There’s also the option to upgrade to a double room if you’d like more space.
5. Tokyo Guesthouse Hive
Chuo¥4,950
Book here
Located in a quiet, but still central part of Tokyo, Guesthouse Hive offers dormitory rooms with capsules for an affordable price. There is a shared lounge and small kitchen space, plus a rooftop terrace.
Best capsule hotels in Japan
1. Hotel Cargo Shinsaibashi
Osaka¥5,600
Book here
Hotel Cargo is a comfortable and stylish capsule hotel within walking distance of Osaka’s Dōtonbori entertainment district. The sleeping pods are a lot more spacious than normal, and sometimes the hotel hosts pop-up events on the first floor. Read our full review of Hotel Cargo Shinsaibashi for more.
2. Nine Hours Nagoya Station
Nagoya¥3,100
Book here
Another in the Nine Hours chain, this capsule hotel is within walking distance of Nagoya Station. This excellent location, plus its budget-friendly price point make Nine Hours Nagoya Station a great option for travelers visiting Nagoya. Read our full review here.
Tokyo capsule hotel prices: Are capsule hotels cheaper than hotels?
As of July 2024, a night at a capsule hotel costs anywhere from ¥3,500 and ¥9,000. While ¥3,500 is definitely cheap, a bed at a hostel can be similarly priced but have more to offer. For example, a bed in a dormitory at Sakura Hostel Asakusa costs ¥3,600 and includes breakfast. And for ¥9,000 a night you can probably get a private room at a hostel or a budget hotel.
How much does a capsule hotel in Tokyo cost?
As with everything worthwhile in life, what you pay for is what you get. Most capsule hotels have rooms — well, “rooms” — starting at about ¥3,500 to ¥5,000. You may find something cheaper, but be a little wary of anywhere that has prices below ¥3,500 or so — these places tend to be less comfortable in our experience.
The price ceiling on capsule hotels seems to be somewhere around ¥10,000 a night. This would generally get you a sleeping pod with more space, in a more stylish and modern hotel. But then again, at that point you might as well also look into private rooms at hostels or budget hotels. This is especially true if you’re traveling in a pair — for example a double room at Henn na Hotel is about ¥13,500 total for two people.
Tokyo capsule hotel amenities
While private space in a capsule hotel is minimal, most have a good deal of shared common facilities. For example, capsule hotels in Tokyo almost always have some kind of shared bath facilities, vending machines, microwaves, and tea/coffee making facilities. Plus, there are normally some disposable toiletries like toothbrushes, razors, and hairbrushes, as well as towels. Free WiFi is also a standard feature these days.
Capsule hotels in Japan might also have lockers, luggage storage, coin laundries, and common areas with TVs and other entertainment options like games and manga libraries. Fancier capsule hotels might even have their own onsen (hot springs) or massage services. Some places may have breakfast options, but if they do it will be something simple — a breakfast buffet is very unlikely.
Frequently asked questions
Do capsule hotels have private bathrooms?
No, capsule hotels don’t have private bathrooms. You’re definitely signing up for a shared bathroom situation. This might be a public bath, especially in the more old-school style capsule hotels, but many capsule hotels these days have individual shower cubicles too.
Why are some capsule hotels “male only”?
Capsule hotels developed as cheap places for salarymen to stay when they couldn’t make it home for the night, so historically they’ve been pretty much just for men. Until fairly recently, it was rare to find a capsule hotel that allowed women. This is said to be for women’s safety, but nowadays, capsule hotels are offering the more sensible solution of creating a floor with facilities just for female guests. Guests usually need a special key to access the sleeping quarters.
Can a couple stay in a capsule hotel?
Yes, but don’t expect to share a capsule. The vast majority of capsule hotels only have capsules that sleep one. Plus, not all capsule hotels have mixed dorms, so you may be assigned to separate male and female dorms.
Do you need to check out of your capsule hotel every morning?
Not necessarily. Originally, capsule hotels weren’t meant for long-term stays, so if you wanted to stay for more than one night you did indeed need to check in and out each day. Now though, many capsule hotels are able to cater to longer stays without doing this. A rule of thumb is that if the capsule hotel allows you to book multiple nights online, then you won’t need to check in and out every day.
Wait, but what about the nine-hour stay option?
This is not a thing — it may be an urban legend stemming from a now-obsolete time limit on how long you could stay in a capsule hotel (and kept going by the name of a popular chain of capsule hotels; see below for the listing).
These days you can stay in a capsule hotel for the same amount of time as you would in a normal hotel, in other words just follow the hotel’s check in and check out times. Some capsule hotels do have hourly options for travelers who just need a short rest. If this is what you need, ask the front desk staff. There might also be a sign with the rates posted at the entrance.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in February 2015. Last updated: June 2024.
