What is a capsule hotel? A guide to this unique experience

Originating in Japan, capsule hotels perfectly capture the essence of the country – innovative, futuristic, and minimalistic. Capsules are bed-sized sleeping pods for one, stacked on top of each other and laid out in rows. The sleek spaces are outfitted with mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets, and offer basic amenities like a light, power socket, alarm clock, and maybe a TV. There’s a curtain or door you can close for privacy and lockers to keep your belongings. Shared toilets and showers are usually found on each floor, and some hotels also have communal areas such as lounges or restaurants. Keep in mind that capsule hotels are typically gender segregated – they might be male only, female only, or have separate floors and facilities for men and women.

The world’s first capsule hotel opened in 1979 in Osaka to meet the growing demand for affordable accommodation in densely populated Japan. The concept originated as a solution for businessmen who worked late and needed a cheap place to spend the night instead of making the long journey home. Capsule hotels cropped up around major transportation hubs in large cities, attracting solo travelers on a budget, tourists on the go, and business travelers with a short layover or a quick meeting. Today, they offer a unique experience—especially sought by people visiting Japan—and have evolved to include premium themed pod hotels around the world.

Economical and efficient, capsule hotels provide compact lodging for people on a budget. The capsules or pods are approximately 6,5 feet, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet tall, usually just big enough for one person and a few personal items. While amenities differ from hotel to hotel, you can expect to find the following:

Thanks to the space-saving concept of capsule hotels, it’s a given that there are no bathrooms in the pods. There are shared toilets on every floor, and most capsule hotels in Japan feature communal showers or open Japanese-style baths stocked with shampoo, soap, and other toiletries. The hotels also usually provide towels, robes, and slippers. Traditionally, you sit on a stool under the shower to rinse off, then head for a soak in the bathhouse. In some places, you might even find private showers.

The capsules are only intended to be slept in, so you can squeeze in just a few things like your cell phone, laptop, or a book. You’ll be assigned a locker to stash your belongings, but lockers are small since these hotels are generally booked for shorter stays. If you have big bags, remember to carry locks for all of them so you can safely store them in the luggage room or at the front desk. The capsules don’t usually lock, so you should secure your valuables in the locker. As is customary in Japan, you’ll need to remove your shoes when you enter the hotel and place them in a shoe locker.

Capsule hotels were conceptualized for Japan's “salarymen,” so it’s little surprise that power sockets are a staple in every pod. Another essential feature at almost all capsule hotels is Wifi – so you can stay connected, work, and charge your phone, laptop or other electronic devices comfortably in the pod.

Price

What started off as a no-frills hotel for businessmen who didn’t need (or want to pay for) a hotel continues to thrive with solo travelers, digital nomads, and backpackers. Today, price remains the biggest draw for this unique lodging type. Capsule hotels strip down the hotel experience to the bare essentials, making them a cost-effective option if you’re traveling on a budget and don’t need much space or are only staying a couple of nights.

Convenience

Concentrated around major train stations and transport hubs in large cities, capsule hotels gained popularity because of their convenient locations. Even today, you’ll find them in some of the world’s busiest and most densely populated areas, where traditional hotels are much more expensive. The convenience of staying in a prime location when visiting a big city is hard to beat, and capsule hotels make that easier with an affordable price tag. Aside from being well-connected, many offer flexible check-in/check-out times and hourly rates – additional conveniences if you only need to crash for a few hours before an early flight.

Experience

There’s no denying that a product once made for Japanese businessmen has gained popularity worldwide because of its novelty. Tourists, especially those visiting Japan, are curious to stay in a capsule hotel for the experience, if only for a night. If you’re not claustrophobic, consider trying a capsule hotel even if you’ve stayed in shared accommodation before. Capsule hotels are traditionally quite different from hostels – they’re more private and functional, while hostels encourage community and bonhomie. At a capsule or pod hotel, you’ll also get a feel for Japanese culture, coupled with futuristic sci-fi vibes.

Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa

Situated just 330 feet from Asakusa Station, this capsule hotel in Tokyo’s Taito district is well connected and highly rated. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking to experience a capsule hotel as a tourist. Capsules here aren’t double-stacked and are very spacious – you can even store your bags under the bed. The private showers are modern and clean, but a highlight is the powder room on the women-only floor, which is stocked with toiletries, makeup, hair-styling tools, and ring lights. Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa also offers a glimpse into the local culture – Japanese art and motifs adorn the walls, and you might even catch a traditional geisha performance here.

Cabin & Capsule Hotel J-SHIP Osaka Namba

This stylish and modern capsule hotel is a minute’s walk from the JR Namba Station in Osaka. Another popular choice for people looking to dip their toes in the capsule hotel experience, J-Ship offers guests multiple room options. Aside from the regular lower and upper-level capsules, there are cabins with TVs and spacious deluxe cabins with bed frames and desks. The hotel also boasts Japanese onsen-style public baths (separate for men and women) where you can take a relaxing soak.

9h nine hours Narita Airport

9h nine hours is one of Japan’s most popular capsule hotel chains, with locations all over the country. Tokyo has the highest number, including women-only and men-only hotels. The one at Narita Airport directly connects to Terminal 2, making it a convenient choice for layovers, short transits, and early flights. Capsules are functional yet comfortable, and the hotel’s black-and-white interior stamped with arrows and icons evokes the feeling of being inside a spacecraft.