What is a capsule hotel? >>Find Capsule Hotels
A capsule hotel is an aggregation of a lot of boxes, each of which fits for only one person laid down. Each box is piled up-side-down. This is a capsule hotel where people can sleep but can't stand up in the room. In othe words, specialty hotel for only sleeping.In Japan, where most people live outside Tokyo and commute by train every day, a capsule hotel has gained its popurarity, particularly for businesspersons who couldn't catch the last train (usually around 12:30am) due to extra work or people who hang out too late to catch the train.
Therefore, a capsule hotel is located close to train station in downtown Tokyo. As mentioned, capsule hotel is a tiny box inside which only one person can sleep. The box or space is called a capsule. A typical size of capsule is height 1.2m x length 1.2m x width 2m, and each of them are next to others like a honycomb. Another feature of a capsule is that it has no door. It has only curtain to cut off.
Only capsule there? No, because Japanese really love bath. So, you can take a bath, which is a kind of sento style. Since a capsule hotel is a kind of places for emergency of missing last train, you don't necessarily book in advance. (Of course, you might better book on Friday night.)
How much per a night at a capsule hotel?
One night costs from around 2,000yen to 4.000yen. Instead of being cheap, most of capsule hotels are not so clean. Don't expect something like a normal hotel. Again, this is the place to just sleep.Mainly only for male >>Find Capsule Hotels
Most of capsule hotels are only available for male. It's not discrimination but a commercial reason because Japanese women don't like to stay up too late until they miss the last train. If you are female, click here!! If you can't find a capsule hotel at where you want to (or have to) stay, internet cafe (manga kissa) is alternative, in which you can not sleep perfectly, but can take a nap on a comfortable chair.Amenity at a capsule hotel
Towel, nightwear, toothbrush, toothpaste are usually available for free. You can buy underware, sox, T-shirt, etc.Facility at a capsule hotel
In general, a capsule hotel has following facilities. Capsule, large public bath, changing room, locker room, sauna, canteen, TV, light and alarm clock are in the room. Can you imagine a TV is in a capsule.How to use a capsule hotel >>Find Capsule Hotels
Step 1: Take your shoes off
In most capsule hotels, there is a shoe locker at the entrance of a capsule hotel. Take your shoes off and put them in a locker and lock it. You are required to give your shoe locker key to a front desk.Step 2: Check-in
When you check-in, you are given a clothing locker key instead of a room key. Locker number is same as your capsule number. If necessary, you can buy underwears, a sox, etc at a front desk.Step 3: Changing your cloth
In your clothing locker, you can find a nightwear. So, take your clothing, put them in a locker and put nightwear on.Step 4: Enter public bath and/or sauna
There is a public bath instead of private bathtub or shower room. Wash your body, take a bath and relax at sauna. Towels are available at the exit of public bath. Also, rest room is common for everyone.Step 5: Go to your capsule
Go to your capsule. In your capsule, there is a set of futon, a pillow and a small TV. You can watch TV while you are lying. It is tiny, though. Other than that, what you can do is only sleeping.Step 6: Check out
A public bath is open anytime. You can take a bath or shower even before you leave. Brush your teeth at a bath room. Then, go to your locker and change your cloth back. Check-out time is usually at 10am.>>Find Capsule Hotels
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