Capsule Hotel

The customers of capsule hotels are usually commuting, hardworking Japanese business men. Maybe they missed the train home or maybe the had too much sake. As far as I know, Japan is the only country that has this kind of accommodation. Most only cater men but I found a couple of hotels in Tokyo that had women floors so I decided to check it out.

All guests have to check in after five o'clock, even if you are staying two nights. After my very informative (ha ha) Tokyo CITYRAMA tour I headed over to the area of Akihabara (Electric Town) to check in.

As I entered I was asked to put my shoes in a small locker in the lobby. Next I was issued my toe tag, er, I mean, a wristband with my keys. I was instructed to put my belongings in a locker and if my backpack didn't fit I had to keep it in my "room" with me. Right. The receptionist gave me a towel and two toothbrushes (bonus!) before pointing me to the elevator.

The locker was tiny. My backpack didn't fit but I took everything out and then shoved it in. The capsule room was bigger than I had imagined. I could sit upright and had plenty of room for some of my belongings. Once inside, I pulled the shade down and settled in. The room had a small hanging TV, radio, alarm clock and bedding.

The first night, I had a hard time adjusting to the different sounds; women came in at random hours talking on their cell phones, shades being pulled up and down and outside city noises. At various times I could feel the subway pass and the walls would shake. I had flashbacks of the earthquake in Peru. The second night was much better. I think I actually preferred it to staying at a hostel. I felt more like a bear hibernating in a cave rather than (what I anticipated) a dead person at a morgue.