My Adventures in Japanese Pod Hotels: A Journey of Comfort and Convenience

Capsule hotels, or pod hotels, originated in Japan back in 1979. This summer, I decided to dive into this unique experience. I made it my mission to try several Japanese capsule hotels during my trip. I stayed at pod hotels in both Amsterdam and Utrecht, but my heart was set on Japan. I had a fantastic experience at four different locations: First Cabin (Atagoyama, Tokyo), 9 Hours (Akasaka, Tokyo), J-Ship (Osaka Namba), and The Millennials (Shibuya, Tokyo).

I found myself favoring First Cabin in Atagoyama, followed closely by J-Ship in Osaka Namba. The Millennials in Shibuya came next, and finally, 9 Hours in Akasaka. Let me share my thoughts on each of these unique stays.

First Cabin (Atagoyama): A Spacious Retreat

3rd floor Men's hallway

First Cabin was a standout for me. The "capsule" felt more like a cozy room than a cramped pod. It was designed to mimic first-class airplane seating, but honestly, it offered way more space. My room had a TV, a drawer under the bed for valuables, and even a small table—quite a rarity in capsule hotels!

The amenities were fantastic. I enjoyed a hot spa, complimentary toiletries, pajamas, towels, and Wi-Fi. Meals were available for a fee, which was a nice touch. The hotel was spotless, and it was just a short walk from Shimbashi Station. The friendly front desk staff made my stay even better.

My pod at First Cabin

J-Ship (Osaka Namba): A Unique Experience

Exterior to J-Ship

Next up was J-Ship in Osaka, my second favorite. This hotel had a quirky rule: you had to take off your shoes in the lobby and store them in lockers. At first, it felt strange, but I ended up loving it.

J-Ship offered a hot spa, toiletries, Wi-Fi, slippers, towels, and vending machines. My pod was spacious and included a TV. They even had a locker room for valuables, which kept my pod clutter-free. The lobby and hallway were beautifully decorated, making it a pleasant space to relax.

However, I did notice that the top-floor common area wasn't as clean as the rest of the hotel. Still, the location was perfect—close to JR Namba station, which connects to an amazing underground shopping center. I discovered this gem on a rainy night when I was looking for food without venturing far. I ended up walking a lot in this underground maze, which had grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, and even dessert shops!

My pod with a TV that can swivel

The Millennials (Shibuya): A Mixed Bag

The exterior entrance to The Millennials. Photo is from their website, but when I was there, the yellow light was not on, so it was dark walking in

My third favorite was The Millennials. While it was within walking distance of the famous Shibuya Crossing, I found it a bit tricky to locate. The sign outside was easy to miss, and the dark hallway leading to the elevator felt uninviting.

Inside my pod, I found what I believe was a queen-size bed that took up the entire space. To access the bed, you had to climb in right away. There was a safe below the bed and storage for luggage, along with a shelf above for personal items. The pod had an old iPhone that controlled the lights and bed positioning. The alarm was unique—it didn’t make sounds but instead turned on the lights and raised the bed to a sitting position. I thought that was a clever idea!

The amenities included free toiletries, towels, Wi-Fi, coffee, and tea. They even offered a happy hour with free beer, although I missed it during my stay.

9Hours (Akasaka): Not My Favorite

My pod at 9hours

Finally, I visited 9Hours in Akasaka, which is quite popular. However, it turned out to be my least favorite hotel. Unfortunately, it was the least clean of all the places I stayed. I even spotted what looked like a roach trap near my pod. The showers and bathrooms were not as nicely decorated as those in J-Ship, and the lobby lacked the charm of First Cabin.

The pods had a futuristic design, but that was about it. Upon arrival, I had to sign disclosures, one of which stated they monitor your sleep. I was taken aback and immediately said, "NO!" I didn’t want anyone watching me while I slept. The website mentioned a Sleep Analysis Model, which I must have overlooked. You can read about it here.

In my pod, I used the pajamas provided to cover the camera, even though I had declined the sleep analysis. The amenities were similar to the other hotels, including toiletries, pajamas, towels, and Wi-Fi. They expected guests to be out from 11 AM to 3 PM for cleaning, which didn’t bother me since I was only staying one night.

Conclusion: A Memorable Experience

In conclusion, I would happily stay at First Cabin and J-Ship again. However, I would pass on The Millennials and 9Hours. I’m already excited about my next trip to Japan and the chance to explore more pod hotels. The experience of staying in these unique accommodations was both fun and memorable. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend trying a capsule hotel for yourself!