If you’re traveling alone in Japan and are looking for a unique, affordable, and safe place to stay, consider staying in one of Japan’s capsule hotels. I’ve stayed in many while traveling around Japan, including in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
Capsule hotels can range from cozy and rustic to sleek and futuristic. In this post I cover everything you need to know about staying in a capsule hotel in Japan, especially as a solo female traveler.
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What is a capsule hotel?
A capsule hotel is a unique Japanese accommodation type where guests stay in small, pod-like spaces instead of full-sized rooms. In the U.S. and western countries, these might be called pod-hotels.
Each capsule or pod is just big enough for one person to sleep in, and may have some additional storage space for luggage, a small shelf and power outlet, and a personal light. Curtains or blinds separate your pod from the common hallway, and many times capsules will be stacked one on top of another.
Other typical hotel facilities, like bathrooms, showers, and lounges, are common spaces used by all guests. If the capsule hotel separates floors by gender (which is common in Japanese capsule hotels) the common areas and bathrooms will also be divided by gender.
Safety in Japan and Japanese capsule hotels
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, which makes it a perfect destination for solo travelers, especially solo female travelers. Take it from someone who lives in Tokyo – I’ve never felt safer in a massive capital city than I have here.
To take things one step further, many capsule hotels prioritize the safety and comfort of women travelers. Some Japanese capsule hotels are entirely female-only, while others offer women-only floors which can only be accessed with a key card.
Are there female-only capsule hotels?
Yes – many capsule hotels around Japan offer female-only floors or are entirely female-only. This is a big shift from when capsule hotels first started popping up nearly 50 years ago, when they were mostly used as budget accommodation for traveling salarymen. These hotels were historically seen as mainly male spaces, with little consideration for female travelers.
The variety of women-only capsule hotels and secure female-only floors reflects the shift in Japan catering for solo female travel (both for business and leisure), and increased gender inclusivity in general.
If you’re traveling solo or with a girl group and want peace of mind, I highly recommend choosing a female-only capsule hotel or one with gender-segregated floors. I’ve felt completely comfortable and safe in all Japanese capsule hotels I’ve stayed in while solo traveling and backpacking in Japan.
Female-only capsule hotels in Japan
The following capsule hotels are completely female only. Click the links to check availability for your travel dates:
Tokyo
- Nine Hours woman Kanda – located in east Tokyo.
- Nine Hours woman Shinjuku Sleep Lab – note you have the option to add a ‘sleep report’ to your stay, where a small camera in the pod tracks your sleep activity.
- Akihabara Bay Hotel – An aesthetic, pretty-in-pink capsule hotel. Note it’s located in the male-dominant Akihabara neighborhood.
- Nadeshiko Hotel Shibuya – Also with pink touches, including a pink Mt. Fuji mural in the public onsen on-site.
- Anshin Oyado Tokyo Ginza Shiodome – located near the glitzy Ginza neighborhood.
Osaka
- a-style Shinsaibashi – located in central Osaka.
Best Japanese capsule hotels with female-only floors
The following top-rated capsule hotels have female-only floors:
Tokyo
- MyCube Mystays Asakusa Kuramae – located near Tokyo’s famous Sensoji Temple.
- Hotel Tomariya Ueno – located conveniently near Ueno station.
- nine hours Akasaka sleep lab – centrally located in Tokyo.
Osaka
- Ninja & Geisha – traditional Japanese-themed capsule hotel.
- Cabin & Capsule Hotel J-SHIP – includes deluxe cabin room options with standing space.
Kyoto
- Tsukimi capsule hotel – located near Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizudera temple
- Glansit Kyoto Kawaramachi – located in Kyoto’s shopping district
What about mixed-gender capsule hotels?
Many capsule hotels in Japan are mixed-gender in that they welcome both male and female guests. It’s most common to have gender-segregated sleeping areas and bathrooms, or entire floors, for privacy.
If you’re traveling as a pair of opposite genders however, don’t worry! Some capsule hotels in Japan do have mixed-gender floors and sleeping areas, even some with co-ed double pods available, perfect for couples.
I list a few in my post about Best Capsule Hotels in Japan for Couples, but here are some I recommend:
- Book and Bed Shinjuku – completely mixed-gender with co-ed double bed pods. Book and Bed is also featured on my list of coolest hotels in Tokyo.
- The Millennials Tokyo – an upscale and trendy capsule hotel in Shibuya.
- Glansit Kyoto Kaawaramachi – offers a mixed gender floor in addition to the typical male-only and female-only floors.
What to expect when staying at a capsule hotel in Japan
When you check in at a capsule hotel, you’ll usually receive a key or a wristband for your designated locker, where you can store any bulky luggage items that won’t fit in your locker.
Some capsule hotels, like the ninehours chain, also provide free toiletries and rentable slippers for each guest to use during their stay. Likewise, you may be required to take your shoes off and use these slippers when entering the sleeping areas.
One of my favorite parts about ninehours is the free, rentable pajamas that everyone wears around the capsule hotel. It saves you a bit of laundry and gives a cozy, communal vibe!
For the bathroom side of things, capsule hotel shower rooms are usually separate from the toilets. Some capsule hotels may even have a shared onsen area or sauna for guests to enjoy. Towels, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are almost always provided for free.
Female bathrooms also almost always have vanity spaces which include large mirrors and hairdryers, and may have makeup removal items and sample skincare products.
The capsule itself is like a little cocoon. It’s a private and quiet space that’s surprisingly calming and comfortable. While the walls are thin and you’re discouraged from having phone calls or loud conversations in the sleeping areas, it’s a great place to unwind after busy days.
The capsules usually come with a small shelf where you can leave your phone, a book, and other small items. There is often an outlet for charging electronic devices, sometimes a small safe inside for valuables, and always a personal reading light.
Common areas available in most capsule hotels include a lounge space, including an area with desks and outlets to cater for guests traveling for business. These areas may also have a kitchenette for making your own meals. People are encouraged to eat here instead of inside their pods.
The photo below is the lounge room and terrace from ninehours Nagoya.
Why should you stay in a capsule hotel in Japan?
Capsule hotels are a great option for:
- Solo travelers looking for affordable, no-fuss accommodation options.
- Solo female travelers who are looking for a safe, budget-friendly and unique stay.
- Travelers who are curious about modern Japanese culture and unique experiences in Japan.
- Late-night arrivals or early departures, since many capsule hotels are near large train stations in the cities.
- 1-2 night stays where you don’t need a big hotel room.
Capsule hotels might not be great for:
- Bad sleepers who are hyper-sensitive to noise
- Claustrophobes
- Longer stays with lots of luggage because there is not too much space to spread out.
- Large groups who want to socialize and all stay on the same floor.
- Travelers with kids – most capsule hotels in Japan are adult-only.
Final thoughts
Staying in a capsule hotel in Japan is a unique experience that I think every traveler to Japan should try at least one.
As a solo female traveler, I also found them to be a safe, clean and relaxing experience. If you’re curious, my recommendation is to go for it and experience this cool and unique budget accommodation option in Japan.
Check out my other capsule hotel blog posts:
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Borderless or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!
