Staying in Tokyo capsule hotels doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice comfort and style! Here are 11 inexpensive accommodations in Tokyo you can slide into for a cosy night’s rest.
Left: Book and Bed Hostel, one of Tokyo’s prettiest capsule hotels. Right: The capsule hotel I stayed at.
I’m a firm believer that capsule hotels are some of the best places to stay in Tokyo. Sure, they’re small, but you get a convenient location, comfort at (travel) wallet-friendly prices, and even free toiletries. Plus, privacy that a thin curtain can’t give you sometimes.
I once stayed in one of those sterile Tokyo capsule hotels way before, but there are a lot of chic and highly *aesthetic* options nowadays — perfect for sleep and your Instagram feed! Here’s our pick of Tokyo’s best capsule hotels, which go for under S$77/night.
Read also: 10-Day Japan Itinerary — Tokyo to Osaka With The JR Pass for $1.1k
1) MANGA ART HOTEL
Photo credit: Booking.com
Relatively new to the Tokyo capsule hotel scene, MANGA ART HOTEL is an otaku‘s dream come true!
Inside each room, you’ll find ceiling-to-floor bookshelves stocked with an extensive collection of manga (comics) in English and Japanese. Capsules are tucked in between shelves, so you can enjoy your favourite mangas in a cosy private space. There’s also a small balcony where you can step out and take a break to people-watch or get some fresh air.
Photo credit: Manga Art Hotel
Cost: From ~S$73/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 1min walk from Awajicho Station, Exit B7 (Google Maps)
2) Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa
Photo credit: Booking.com
If you thought capsule hotels in Tokyo were just designed to be slept in, then you haven’t seen Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa. This hostel has what they call a “living lobby”, a beautiful common space based on traditional Edo design — with cherry blossom and Mount Fuji wallpapers to make the place more cosy!
Photo credit: Booking.com
Rooms here are called “cabins” and they’re more spacious compared to your usual capsule hotels, have great soundproofing and the entrances are also inspired by tea ceremony rooms 🍵
Cost: From ~S$68/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 9min walk from Asakusa Station (Google Maps)
3) First Cabin Ichigaya
Photo credit: First Cabin Ichigaya
Some of us may not be lucky enough to fly business or first class, but First Cabin Ichigaya changes all that!
Their pods are designed like luxurious airplane cabins, each equipped with its own LCD TV and ventilation system. There are even premium capsule pods for couples, so you and your +1 can enjoy the intimate capsule hotel experience together.
Photo credit: Booking.com
First Cabin has nine other branches around Tokyo, including one at Haneda Airport if you need a place to stay during a stopover.
Cost: From ~S$66/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 2min walk from Ichigaya Station (Google Maps)
4) Glansit Akhibara
Photo credit: Booking.com
Stylish but simple, Glansit Akhibara best suits anyone who loves all things modern and minimalistic. The lobby alone feels like home with green plants and earthy-slash-wooden tones.
They have different stay-in options depending on your needs. Aside from standard capsules, they also offer a private room with two capsules so you and your travel pal can still enjoy a capsule hotel experience without having to room with other guests.
Glansit Akhibara uses high-tech mattresses to give guests an exceptional sleep experience. Perfect after a long day travelling!
Photo credit: Booking.com
Every morning, you can help yourself to free tea and coffee from their drinks bar and one of their magazines.
Cost: From ~S$54/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 6min walk from Akihabara Station (Google Maps)
5) Book and Bed Tokyo Shinjuku
Book and Bed is the ultimate bookworm’s dream! Here, you can experience “living” in a bookstore while enjoying other facilities such as clean bathrooms and a lovely cafe. The capsule hotel is also located in the heart of Shinjuku, so you can easily head out to explore the vibrant streets whenever you’re bored.
The books are mostly in Japanese, but you can’t deny they still make a great photo!
Cost: From ~S$69/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 6min walk from Shinjuku Station, Exit B13 (Google Maps)
6) 9h Nine Hours Suidobashi
Photo credit: Booking.com
You may be living in 2024, but 9h Nine Hours is living in the future. Each roomy capsule comes well-equipped: ventilation system, charging ports, as well as a high-tech sleep system that automatically adjusts the lights.
Photo credit: Booking.com
The Suidobashi branch is near many restaurants and the Tokyo Dome, in case you’re flying in to catch a concert. But this capsule hotel chain also has other branches in Tokyo.
Cost: From ~S$40/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 2min walk from Suidobashi Station (Google Maps)
Read also: 12 Things to Eat in Tokyo — Michelin (Worthy) Restaurants That Are Worth Your Money
7) Akihabara Bay Hotel (Women Only)
Photo credit: Booking.com
Sorry fellas, this one’s for the ladies! Dolled up in pastel pink, Akihabara Bay Hotel is a no-frills capsule hotel that’s a great choice for female solo travellers (or squads).
Photo credit: Booking.com
The best part about Akihabara Bay Hotel is its prime location. It’s near famous shopping districts like the Akihabara electronics market and Ginza district. That means you can pop back to the hotel anytime to dump your shopping bags and rest in the lounge — shopping is tiring work, after all!
Cost: From ~S$50/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 3min walk from Akihabara Station, Exit A2 (Google Maps)
8) MyCUBE by MYSTAYS Asakusa Kuramae
Photo credit: Booking.com
Located in Asakusa, MyCUBE by MYSTAYS provides guests with quality that can rival any typical hotel. This hotel’s “cubes” are much roomier compared to standard pods, and they also provide personal toiletries, nightwear, individual flatscreen TVs and headphones.
Photo credit: Booking.com
For a few dollars extra, you get to enjoy MyCUBE’s modest buffet breakfast, with tasty choices such as scrambled eggs, yoghurt, and freshly baked pastries.
Cost: From ~S$77/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 1min walk from Kuramae Station, Exit A2 (Google Maps)
Read also: 7D Budget Tokyo & Mount Fuji Itinerary For S$1.3k Including Accommodation
9) Book Tea Bed SHIBUYA Hostel
Photo credit: Booking.com
Visiting the bustling city of Shibuya? Decompress from the noise when you sleep at the quiet Book Tea Bed SHIBUYA Hostel. For their spacious capsules and prime location, staying here is pretty affordable at only ~S$60/night.
Photo credit: Booking.com
It’s great if you’re looking for a low-key hotel — access the rooftop during your downtimes, or read a book from right across your capsule. Those books are not just for decor, but for reading too (provided you know how to read in Japanese 😬).
Men and women sleep on separate floors to make your solo travelling experience more comfortable!
Cost: From ~S$60/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 6min walk from Shibuya Station (Google Maps)
10) Rembrandt Cabin Shinjuku Shin-Okubo (Men Only)
Photo credit: Booking.com
Indoor onsen, minimalist capsules, and an accessible location — what’s not to like about Rembrandt Cabin & Spa Shimbashi?
Photo credit: Booking.com
Guests (only men allowed!) are encouraged to make full use of its fantastic location, as well as their saunas. They even have a cold plunge pool, great for summertime escapades.
After your spa day, continue your relaxation by jumping straight to your capsule bed!
Cost: From ~S$56/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 2min walk from Shin-Okubo Station (Google Maps)
11) Hotel Tomariya Ueno
Hotel Tomariya may be basic, but it prides itself on providing guests with a comfortable, budget-friendly place to stay. Each room is beautifully decorated with fascinating Japanese art, which offers guests a unique insight into the country’s history and culture.
If you have the time, get to know the helpful staff! Previous guests have raved about their friendliness — they even taught one traveller origami and kanji writing!
Cost: From ~S$40/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: 6min walk from Ueno Station (Google Maps)
Capsule Hotels in Tokyo — A Quintessential Experience!
Me in 2014; Thankfully, I make better accommodation decisions now.
It’s been a couple of years since I had my first capsule hotel experience, and even if it wasn’t as chic or pleasant as many are now, it’s undoubtedly a distinctly Japanese experience that every tourist should try! Who says the accommodation can’t be an attraction in itself?
If you’re planning a holiday to Tokyo, we recommend booking six weeks in advance for the best prices. Whatever you save on airfare can always be used for a luxurious capsule hotel stay or a hearty bowl of ramen ✌. Check flight prices with this widget:
If you can’t see the widget above, check flights from Singapore to Tokyo here.
Read also: 13 Tips to Travel in Japan Over Peak Seasons — Cherry Blossoms, Autumn Foliage, Golden Week
What’s your take on Tokyo capsule hotels? Do you enjoy staying in really fancy ones, or avoid them altogether? Let us know in the comments below!
