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If you want to travel Japan cheaply, stay at a capsule hotel in Tokyo.

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Interior view of a capsule hotel in Tokyo

What kind of accommodations do you choose when traveling in Japan? Hotels and ryokan are attractive, but what we would like you to experience at least once is a "capsule hotel. Capsule hotels are a style of lodging unique to Japan. They are becoming increasingly popular among foreign travelers as an affordable and unique way to stay in Japan.

Tokyo is home to many unique capsule hotels. Each has its own unique charm, such as a perfect location as a base for sightseeing or an elaborate concept.

In this issue, we introduce a selection of capsule hotels that we recommend to foreign visitors to Tokyo. Please refer to them and find your own favorite lodging.

To book a trip to TokyoAgoda for cheap domestic and international hotel reservationsis recommended!

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What is a capsule hotel?

Capsule hotels are lodging facilities that originated in Japan and were established in Osaka in 1979. At that time, they were mainly used by businessmen who were working late. Today, the basic style of capsule hotels remains the same, offering minimal space with a bed.

In a typical capsule hotel, there is a series of two-level guest room spaces along both walls. You cannot stand up in the guest room, but you can sit on the bed and read a book. It is designed primarily as a space for sleeping.

In recent years, however, capsule hotels have also evolved. More and more hotels are offering a variety of room types, such as beds with small desks. Shared spaces have also become more elaborate, with an emphasis on comfort as well as practicality, and services such as Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and lockers have been added to meet the needs of guests.

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Capsule Hotel Attraction

The most attractive feature of capsule hotels is that they offer inexpensive accommodations. Capsule hotels are a very attractive option for those who want to save on travel expenses or plan to stay for an extended period of time. In a large city like Tokyo, lodging tends to be expensive, but by using a capsule hotel, you can greatly reduce this burden.

Many Japanese who miss the last train also use capsule hotels because they are more reasonable than cab fares. Capsule hotels are also useful as emergency shelters for those who are running late due to a drinking session or other reason.

Furthermore, in recent years, the number of capsule hotels with unique concepts has been on the rise. They offer more than just a cheap place to stay. For example, each facility now has its own unique character, such as a stylish common space that resembles a book café or a theme for each room.

Another major attraction is that guests can now choose a capsule hotel that suits their interests and the purpose of their trip. In some cases, staying at a capsule hotel may become the purpose of the trip itself.

Capsule Hotel Accommodation Costs

Rates at capsule hotels are much more reasonable than those at regular hotels, ranging from 2,000 yen to 5,000 yen per night. However, rates may increase during peak season. We recommend that you check in advance.

In recent years, more and more capsule hotels have begun to set their rates according to the grade of their guest rooms. Higher grade rooms with more space and better in-room facilities tend to have slightly higher rates.

Be sure to select the best accommodation plan for you, taking into consideration your budget and the facilities and services you value. Staying at a capsule hotel will allow you to enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo to the fullest.

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5 Capsule Hotels in Tokyo Recommended for Foreigners

Let's take a look at Tokyo's capsule hotels recommended for foreigners. We will introduce five selected hotels in terms of accessibility, facilities inside the building, and concept. They will surely make your trip more enjoyable.

1. capsule hotel in front of Shinjuku Ward Office|4 min. walk from Shinjuku Station

As the name suggests, the Shinjuku Kuyakushomae Capsule Hotel is located very close to the Shinjuku City Office. The biggest attraction of the hotel is its excellent location. It boasts excellent accessibility, being only a 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, a major terminal in Tokyo. It can be used very conveniently as a base for sightseeing and business.

This hotel is also equipped with a large public bath and sauna. This service is recommended for those who want to relieve travel fatigue. This is your chance to experience Japanese sauna culture, so please take advantage of it. You will definitely feel refreshed both mentally and physically.

For hotel details and reservationsclick here!

2. ℃ (Docey) Ebisu|3 min. walk from Ebisu Station

℃ Ebisu is an eye-catching capsule hotel named after the word "temperature. It features a concept that focuses on sauna and good sleep, helping modern people recover from fatigue. By alternating between hot "wax" and cold water, the hotel is said to be effective in balancing the autonomic nervous system.

High-quality mattresses are used in the beds for guests. The beds are designed to reduce the burden on the body and allow for a good night's sleep. It is truly a modern version of a "rest house," complete with facilities to relieve fatigue.

Easy access is another attraction of this hotel. It is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station in the popular Ebisu area. It can be easily used on the way home from work or in between activities. Plans are also available for use from one hour, so we recommend it for short stays.

For hotel details and reservationsclick here!

3. nine hours hamamatsucho|3 min. walk from Hamamatsucho Station & close to Shinkansen

Nine Hours" is a chain of 展開する capsule hotels located throughout Japan. In Tokyo alone, there are seven hotels, with other locations in Osaka, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Miyagi.

The concept of the hotel is "9 hours to reset the day". They value the following three actions.

'Wash off sweat (1 hour) + sleep (7 hours) + get ready (1 hour) = 9 hours (Nine Hours)'

All of the above are the hotel's specialties. Pillows made by a long-established bedding manufacturer are used for a comfortable night's sleep, and bath amenities are made of organic materials that are gentle to the skin.

The location, a 3-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station, is also convenient for travelers using the Shinkansen bullet train, 3 stations from Tokyo Station, the station of the Shinkansen bullet train, and 4 stations from Shinagawa Station.

For hotel details and reservationsclick here!

4. safe Oyado Shinjuku Ekimae Branch|90-second walk from Shinjuku Station

Anshin Oyado Shinjuku Ekimae Branch is a capsule hotel exclusively for men. Its greatest feature is its location near the station, which is only a 90-second walk from Shinjuku Station, making it an overwhelmingly close hotel. It is very convenient when visiting Shinjuku for sightseeing or business trips.

The hotel also offers a full range of in-house facilities. In addition to the large public bath and sauna, the guest rooms are equipped with mattresses by the luxury bed manufacturer Simmons, designed to ease the burden on the back and allow for a good night's sleep. Each room is also equipped with an LCD TV and high-performance headphones. You can enjoy your favorite programs in your private space.

The co-working room in the shared space is also attractive. With a drink from the drink bar in hand, it may be fun to mingle with other guests while sharing memories of your trip. The manga corner is said to have a lineup of popular titles carefully selected by the manager.

The capsule rooms are also slightly larger than those of other hotels, providing a spacious and relaxing atmosphere.

For hotel details and reservationsclick here!

5. book and bed tokyo shinjuku|7 min walk from Shinjuku station & 3 min walk from Seibu Shinjuku station

BOOK AND BED TOKYO SHINJUKU is an accommodation facility that transcends the boundaries of a capsule hotel and resembles a book theme park. It is characterized by the feeling as if you are staying in a bookstore. A whopping 1,700 comic books and books are lined up inside the building.

Guests can pick up a book of their choice and enjoy reading at their favorite place in the building. Not only Japanese manga and novels, but also English books are available for foreign guests to enjoy. This is truly a unique space based on the concept of a "bookstore where you can stay overnight.

The sleeping area is located between the bookshelves. You will experience an extraordinary feeling as if you were the hero of a story. In addition to the capsule type, you can also choose from twin rooms, private rooms with showers and toilets, and other room types to meet your needs.

It has excellent accessibility, being a 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and a 3-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station. It will be a very convenient base for sightseeing in Shinjuku.

For hotel details and reservationsclick here!

summary

What did you think? Capsule hotels, a representative of Japan's lodging culture, are one of the most popular options for sightseeing in Tokyo. Not only are they inexpensive, but they also offer unique concepts and services. The excitement of choosing accommodations may be one of the pleasures of your trip.

In addition to the hotels introduced in this article, there are many other unique capsule hotels in Tokyo. Why not find the perfect accommodation according to your interests in terms of price, location, concept, etc.? It will surely make your trip even more memorable.

We invite you to experience a unique Japanese lodging experience at one of Tokyo's capsule hotels. You may be surprised at what you can't experience anywhere else.

Reference:Visit Tokyo - The Official Travel Guide of Tokyo, GO TOKYO


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