nine hours Capsule Hotel Review
I just got back from my second trip to Japan and there is so much that I’m excited to share with you! I’m starting with the very last thing we did in Tokyo.
Every traveller will have some sort of Japan bucket list, with things like a karaoke night, a sushi breakfast, eating live octopus or driving a go-kart around Tokyo. Sleeping in a capsule hotel was one of the many things on my list! Although this is definitely a budget-friendly option, it has become very popular for tourists as an experience in its own right.
When planning our trip to Japan I knew I wanted to experience a capsule (or pod) hotel for one night, so I researched all I could find on Booking.com and found nine hours. It looked really cool and modern and its Shinjuku location seemed perfect for our last night in Tokyo.
What you need to know if you’re staying at a capsule hotel
This is all specific to nine hours but a lot will apply to most other capsule hotels as well.
Gender separation
Many capsule hotels will be male only, but nine hours is a mixed-gender hotel. One thing that my boyfriend and I were aware of before going is that they have separate floors (and lifts) for men and women. For one night, at the end of our trip, it wasn’t a big deal though. There is a common area on the 8th floor behind reception where you can hang out together, but it’s not the most lively of spaces. If you’re travelling as a couple and really want to stay together, Kiba Hotel offers double capsules – it just isn’t quite as nice and modern as nine hours.
Checking in & out
Check in begins at 1pm and you have to check out at 10am every day. Even if you have planned to stay several days you will have to check out, check in, pay, and change pod every day. When checking in you receive a bag with a towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, pyjamas, and slippers.
Lockers
You don’t get much space in your pod so you have to keep all of your things in a locker. I had a big suitcase and it (just about) fit in the locker I was provided at nine hours. I hadn’t prepared for the night so I had to open the suitcase to get what I needed – don’t do that! Definitely pack a small overnight bag or at least make it easy to find everything you’re going to need.
The Capsule or Pod
I found the bed to be comfortable and there was enough space to sit up. There’s a light and a plug to charge your phone and that’s about it! You can’t lock it so don’t leave any valuables unattended. The only thing that really bothered us is the sound of snoring, people coming back late at night, and alarms ringing multiple times early in the morning. I recommend ear plugs! The pod areas are for sleep only and are otherwise silent, so if you’re travelling with friends or want to use your phone, I suggest that you hang out in the common area or a local bar until you are ready to sleep.
Bathrooms
Toilets are on the same floor as the capsules but the showers are on a different floor. I found the showers to be very clean, stocked with soap, shampoo and conditioner, and there were enough of them that nobody had to wait. There were plenty of sinks and mirrors for the girls to use, and hairdryers were available.
Food and drink
There are no food or drink facilities at nine hours so you’ll have to bring your own water. We made the mistake of assuming there would be some kind of vending machine there! Eating or drinking in the pods is not allowed. In the washing areas you tend to hear slurping sounds as people get a last drop of water from the tap before bed… I’d recommend keeping a bottle in your locker.
Location
The Shinjuku-North location was great for us. The area around the hotel seems to be a kind of Korea town filled with K-pop shops and Korean barbecue restaurants. It’s a very short walk to Shin-Ōkubo station and about a 15 minute walk to the famous Shinjuku neighbourhood with its bright lights, games arcades and buzzing nightlife. I recommend going to Omoide Yokochō alley for a yakitori dinner before having a drink in the Golden Gai area.
It was a fun experience and it’s really convenient for solo budget travellers. However if you’re looking for a more social experience with an on-site bar or an opportunity to make friends, then I think a hostel would be better. Capsule hotels are far more functional and really just provide a place to sleep – one of my Japanese friends regularly uses First Cabin after a late night at the office.
As a single traveller it’s cheaper than a budget hotel, but as a couple we didn’t save any money. The fact that you have to check-in and check-out each day also makes it less attractive to me. Capsules are really aimed at no-frills one night stop overs and for this they’re great! The nine hours at Narita Airport is perfect if you have to catch a very early flight.
Would I stay at a capsule hotel again? No.
Would I recommend staying at one? Yes! – if only for the experience and photos.
Would you stay at a capsule hotel?
Lynsey || One More Slice
January 20, 2018This is *so* fascinating! I had never heard of them before.
I’m planning to go to Japan (hopefully) next year, so I’m looking forward to reading more about your travels! xx
Lynsey || One More Slice
Anne-Sophie ~ City Cookie
January 21, 2018Hey Lynsey,
I bet you’re going to love Japan and I’m sure you will discover many more things you’ve never heard of when you’re there – that’s what’s great about it. xx
Ed and Jenn Coleman
January 21, 2018I have seen capsule hotels and they looked really interesting. Last year, we were booked through Tokyo and never left the airport. We wondered – what if. Could we use a capsule hotel to see the city. It sounds like the answer is a conditional yes. We really like snuggling at night, and if two capsules cost more than a budget hotel, would choose that every time. Still, it does look like a fun cultural experience.
Anne-Sophie ~ City Cookie
January 21, 2018For one night I think a capsule hotel is fine and a nice experience, but I definitely wouldn’t spend a whole holiday there! I was surprised that it wasn’t cheaper to stay there actually.
megan_claire
January 21, 2018Staying in a capsule hotel is definitely on my list for my next trip to Japan – Really interesting though that the capsule hotels are usually gender specific – I wouldn’t have guessed that, but would be traveling with my husband, so thanks for the tip on nine hours or Kiba hotel. Also a very good tip to pack your suitcase the way you need things – yep, definitely doesn’t look like much space for any baggage in that pod!
Cool experience – I think I would only do this for a night just to say I’ve experienced it, and then go for a proper hotel since we travel as a couple. But can’t wait to try it sometime!
Anne-Sophie ~ City Cookie
January 21, 2018Hi Megan,
Yes I definitely wouldn’t recommend staying there for more than one night if you’re travelling as a couple, but it’s a fun experience! I did find the whole luggage thing quite annoying but it’s similar to staying at a hostel.
Rhonda Albom
January 21, 2018How interesting, I have seen pictures of these around but didn’t know that much about them. I find it interesting that they’re in gender specific areas, but I guess this is similar to hostels that also separate genders. It looks like a nice place to stay, I think it would be a great experience.
Anne-Sophie ~ City Cookie
January 21, 2018The funny thing about the separation of genders is that we even had separate lifts/elevators! Still, a good experience for one night.
Kenny T.K. Chow
January 22, 2018Oh my god, I have no intention to stay or go near to any capsule hotel being a claustrophobic. I have no idea these hotel still exist though! I remembered it was quite a hit when it first came out and thanks for sharing with us the updates. @ knycx.journeying
Anne-Sophie ~ City Cookie
January 22, 2018Oh yes a lot of people have asked me if I felt claustrophobic in there! It was fine fore me especially because I could sit up inside the pod but I wouldn’t recommend trying it if you hate small spaces.
Eric Gamble
January 22, 2018This is cool. Darc & I have stayed in the train Car type hostels but not a tighter fitting capsule hotel yet. It is definitely on my bucket list to stay in one just one night. But I can imagine that it is very noisy as you point out after looking at that pic of all of the capsules down the hall.
Anne-Sophie ~ City Cookie
January 22, 2018Yes it’s a bit annoying that they have put so many capsules in one room – you wouldn’t usually have that many people staying in one hostel room. Most people are respectful but you still get snoring and alarms!