What is a Japanese capsule hotel?

Blogger with the nickname levik writes:

Since my very first trip to Japan in 2009, I dreamed of staying in a capsule hotel. When I finally got to try it out six long years later, I realized how much expectations can differ from reality.

The term "capsule hotel" always sounded to me like something from a science fiction movie about space. I imagined rows of chrome cells on some huge spaceship with futuristic lighting and various automatic elements.

In 2015, returning home from a long Asian trip through Tokyo, I finally spent a night in such a hotel. To my surprise, it turned out to be more old-fashioned than futuristic. However, there are still some interesting moments there. Let me tell you. Most of the photos were taken in April, during my last trip to Japan, when I stayed in Tokyo on my way to Hokkaido.

Most capsule hotels are designed only for men. Usually, these are white-collar workers and middle managers who need to spend the night in the city and do not want to spend a lot on a full-scale business hotel. They are located in city centers near train stations. Typically, these are multi-story buildings. An important aspect worthy of mention is that the hotel has a sauna (in fact, it's a traditional onsen).

Proper use of the hotel begins with the elevator. You need to go up to the floor where the reception is located. This is Japan, and the entrance does not necessarily have to be at ground level, as it is expensive! In this case, we need to go up to the fourth floor.

Right in front of the elevator entrance, there is a sign prohibiting people with tattoos. In Japan, such tattoos are a symbol of the yakuza. In onsen, everyone walks around naked, and the administration does not want to cause discomfort to other guests by the presence of a guy from the local mafia.

The first thing that greets us on the reception floor is these small compartments.

These are for taking off and leaving your outdoor shoes. You cannot walk inside the hotel with them. Take off your sneakers, place them in the locker, lock it with a key.

Right next to them are slippers, but you cannot walk inside the hotel with them either. The sign explains that these slippers are only for riding the elevator between floors. Well, we have already talked about the special attitude of the Japanese towards slippers.

So, the reception. Here they will check your reservation and send you to pay for the capsule at the nearby machine.

Obviously, they do not trust the reception staff with cash, so the payment is made in this kind of machine. Today's capsule costs 2,500 yen, which is about $23. Interestingly, there is no button for this amount on the machine, so you have to pay separately 2,000 and 500.

I give the receptionist the payment receipt and the shoe key. He puts all this in my compartment, and in return, I receive a numbered key for my clothes locker. I won't be able to leave the hotel with this key (not barefoot!), I will need to exchange it for my shoes first.

Here it is, on a plastic bracelet, so as not to lose it in the bathhouse. My number is 7F63, which means my capsule is on the seventh floor. The key itself does not open the capsule, it is only for the locker where I will leave my things, and also so that, if necessary, the staff knows which number I have paid for.

Before going up there, it's time to take a look around near the reception. There is a standard vending machine with drinks typical for Japan, and a slightly less standard one with cigarettes.

Next to it, they sell everything that might be needed by an office worker who didn't spend the night at home: ties, white shirts, black socks. A salesman won't wear the same thing two days in a row!

There are also umbrellas and devices here for ironing pants. In short, you can come to the office dressed neatly and fresh.

There is also a computer corner. Hotel guests can check their email on shared laptops.

And finally, there is a special machine here that sterilizes combs! Does this mean they are used multiple times?!

Well, it's time for me to go change. My key opens one of these drawers. Here I will have to leave all my outdoor clothes, as it is not allowed to walk around the hotel in them. Small items can also be left here.

There is a specially designated place here for suitcases and large bags, where they are placed on open shelves, with a tag attached in advance with the number of your capsule.

In the locker, the hotel uniform awaits me. These are spacious pants and a wrap-around shirt. The latest fashion trend - everyone here dresses like this. Next to the changing area, there are sinks - you can wash your face, brush your teeth, shave, and just freshen up in general.

You can even do laundry!

But if you need a shower, then we will go to the onsen. There is an instruction for Japanese and foreigners at the entrance.

They explain how to properly sit in the onsen.

I didn't want to take photos of the onsen itself - it's full of naked guys of all kinds. But here are these shower stations nearby. You sit on a stool and pour water on yourself, wash, scrub, shave. Every person must wash themselves before getting into the onsen water.

If you don't feel like sleeping after the sauna, there is a floor with a salon. Here you can get comfortable, watch TV, and even smoke. Smoking is different for the Japanese. They banned it outside and allowed it indoors!

And if you want to relax, there is a small library of local adult comics in the salon.

It's time to go to sleep. Slippers, elevator... I go up to my seventh floor, and there is exactly the futuristic vibe I originally expected. Neat rows of capsules stretch along the floor.

They are divided into blocks of four. The capsules are arranged in two tiers. It would probably be dangerous to climb down from higher up.

Here it is, the capsule. Clean, neat... About the size of a single bed, about a meter in width and height.

Any hints of futurism instantly disappear when you see that an old-fashioned TV from the 20th century hangs from the ceiling. I will likely bump my head into it in the morning and be glad I got off cheaply.

Here is the backside of my capsule. A pillow, bedding, and on the side - a radio, clock, a single earphone (for radio, TV, and alarm). There are switches for the light and fan (its grid is on the left).

There is a socket and a shelf for various small items. You can put down a watch, mobile phone, glasses... In my previous capsule, there were more switches and levers. Look - the height of technological progress from the 1980s:

Eating and smoking are not allowed in the capsule. Does that mean you can drink?

There aren't too many places here, but I managed to sit without hitting my head on the ceiling. It might have been more difficult for a taller person.
While I'm here, I can connect to the local wi-fi and check my email.

But it's already late, and tomorrow is an early wake-up. In short, it's time for me to sleep. There is a socket in the capsule, so you can charge all your devices. Instead of a door, there is a thick curtain here that can be lowered to block you off from other curious guests. But it allows air to pass through, preventing you from suffocating in the capsule overnight.

Tomorrow, the whole process will have to be repeated in reverse: shower, teeth, changing, locker, exchanging the wardrobe key for the shoe key, grabbing sneakers, and then you can calmly go for a walk around Tokyo.

Photos and text from Source