As Kyoto increases in popularity as a key tourist destination in Japan, accommodation prices have increased year-on-year as well. Staying at a capsule hotel in Kyoto means you can explore the city’s beautiful temples, Japanese gardens, and markets without breaking your budget. These 6 capsule hotels in Kyoto are cozy, clean, and aesthetic, so you won’t need to compromise on comfort.
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Tips for staying at a capsule hotel
First, lets start with some practical tips for staying at a capsule hotel. These will help you make the most of your stay at one of these capsule hotels in Kyoto.
- Pack light and stay organized – space is limited in capsule hotels and some will require you to leave your bag in a separate locker (not next to your bed). Use day-bags or packing cubes to separate what you need during your capsule hotel stay.
- Bring ear plugs – Even though capsule hotels are generally quiet, light sleepers would benefit from using ear plugs to block out any noise from neighbors.
- Respect quiet hours and sharing etiquette – capsule hotels often have strict quiet hour policies, especially in sleeping areas. Avoid talking on the phone and keep your voice down at all times. In shared facilities like bathrooms and lounges, be mindful of other guests too.
- Use the amenities provided – many capsule hotels offer amenities like pajamas, towels, and toiletries. Make use of these to help you pack and travel lighter during your capsule hotel stay. It’s also part of the experience!
- Check if the capsule hotel is gender-specific – some capsule hotels are all-female, all-made, or co-ed. Most have gender-segregated floors and bathrooms. If you’re traveling as a couple or mixed-gender group, be sure to research ahead of time to check whether floors are co-ed.
To help plan your next capsule hotel stay, I’ve also written about best capsule hotels in Japan for couples (co-ed floors and even shared double pods), and written a guide for staying in Japanese capsule hotels as a solo female traveler.
Now, let’s dive into these amazing, top-rated capsule hotels in Kyoto!
1. The Millennials Kyoto
Millennials Kyoto is a trendy and tech-savvy capsule hotel that offers a modern take on Japanese capsule hotels. Millennials (with locations in both Kyoto and Tokyo) leans into a co-living concept, offering lounges and areas for socializing, as well as desks and co-working spaces too. They even offer free beer during happy hour, to encourage guests to socialize and make new friends to explore the city with.
The capsules are high-tech sleeping pods which come with adjustable reclining beds, built-in movie projectors, and other smart controls to maximize comfort. The pods here are single-occupancy, but floors are mixed-gender so couples and friend groups can all stay on the same level.
The Millennials Kyoto’s central location in Kawaramachi makes it an excellent base for sightseeing in Kyoto. It’s walking distance from Nishiki Market and Pontocho Alley, and just across the Kamo River is the Gion neighborhood and the Sanjo train station.
Find the latest prices and availability here.
2. Tsukimi Hotel
Tsukimi Hotel is a modern and minimalist capsule hotel in Kyoto that’s aesthetic as it is cozy. It’s an all-in-one capsule hotel that offers both co-ed floors as well as male-only and female-only floors. It also has a number of common spaces including a shared kitchen, dining area, and lounge area, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the city. The capsule hotel also offers laundry facilities and clean towels for every day of your stay.
Tsukimi capsule hotel is located near the Kiyomizudera temple, one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. This budget-friendly hotel is perfect for those who want to explore the city’s traditional culture while staying in a clean and contemporary capsule hotel.
Find the latest prices and availability here.
3. Glansit Kyoto Kawaramachi
Glansit Kyoto Kawaramachi draws inspiration from two elements of travel that you might be familiar with: Glamping and Transit. Glansit offers a refined capsule hotel experience, with amenities like an outdoor terrace space, common areas, private bathtub rooms, a laundry room, and clean and sleek interiors. Some capsules even come with a personal TV!
Guests here can choose between co-ed, male-only, and female-only floors, as well as standard size or superior size capsule options.
Glansit capsule hotel is located in Kyoto’s bustling Kawaramachi downtown district, steps away from many department stores, restaurants, souvenir shops, and the Kyoto Kawaramachi train station.
Find the latest rates and availability for this capsule hotel in Kyoto here.
4. CAPSULE HOTEL CONTINUE NijojoKita
Capsule Hotel Continue NijojoKita is featured on my list of capsule hotels in Japan for couples, because it’s one of few which will allow co-ed couples to share a sleeping space – it offers double-bed pods as well as the traditional single ones. This capsule hotel also offers premium single bed pods. Both these and the double bed pods are like tiny rooms with space to stand up, plus a small desk space.
The hotel has a minimalist yet comfortable aesthetic, with sleek and well-designed interiors. Amenities here include free toiletries and towels, laundry facilities, and co-working spaces.
Located near Nijo Castle and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in Kyoto, it’s a great capsule hotel for travelers looking for an affordable stay in a quieter part of Kyoto.
Find the latest rates and availability for this Kyoto capsule hotel for couples here.
5. Sauna & Capsule Hotel Rumor Plaza
Sauna & Capsule Hotel Rumor Plaza is a male-only capsule hotel with incredible sauna and onsen amenities that you’ll have to see to believe! Saunas and sauna experiences are booming in Japan right now, and this capsule hotel will give you a taste of what the excitement is all about.
This capsule hotel offers three spacious saunas, two traditional Japanese indoor onsen and two outdoor onsen too. There’s also a small breakfast buffet featuring Japanese breakfast options, lounge area, and dining area available to guests. It’s the perfect, budget-friendly place to hang out with the boys and find some relaxation as well.
This sauna and capsule hotel is located near Gion Shijo station, putting it walking distance from Gion, the Kamo river, and Yasaka Shrine.
Find the latest rates and accommodation for this male-only accommodation here.
6. Ryokan Hostel Gion
Ryokan Hostel Gion is one of the first places where I stayed in a capsule hotel in Kyoto! The hotel is true to its name in that you get the traditional ryokan feeling and hospitality experience, while staying in a budget-friendly personal capsule.
The capsules here are made of warm wooden panels with tatami flooring instead of the usual plastic pods, giving it a homier and more relaxed feeling. Amenities available here include a social common area, free drinks, and luggage storage. My favorite part of Ryokan Hostel Gion were the bathrooms – there are a wide variety of free amenities and the most high-tech toilets you’ll come across in Japan.
Ryokan Hostel Gion is in a great location, just two blocks away from the scenic Shirakawa canal in Gion. It’s also walking distance to Sanjo and Kawaramachi neighborhoods. I would definitely stay here again!
Find the latest rates and availability here.
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect capsule hotel in Kyoto so you can save big on your next trip to this beautiful city.
If you’re looking for capsule hotels in other parts of Japan, check out my posts of best capsule hotels in Tokyo and Osaka too.
Traveling as a couple? Be sure to read my list of best capsule hotels for couples too.
Find a place to stay in Kyoto & Osaka:
- Stay in an elegant, traditional Japanese inn – Best Kyoto Ryokan Stays
- Stay in a historic Kyoto townhouse – Best Kyoto Machiya Stays
- Find a cool and unique hotel in Kyoto – Coolest Hotels in Kyoto
- Find something quirky in Osaka – Coolest Hotels in Osaka
- Explore more – Weird and Unusual Hotels in Japan
Images courtesy of (1, 3) tsukimi-hotel.com (5) continue-capsule.com (6) rumor-plaza.jp (7) ryokanhostel.com
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!
