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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI found the building easily, but the entrance, hard. I couldn\u2019t figure out where the heck the entrance was, because what I saw looked like the entrance to a store. It looked like it, but it wasn\u2019t. It\u2019s actually an entryway into a hallway with several doors, one of which leads to the hostel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the morning of check-in, I received an access code by email. That\u2019s how you open the door, with that code. And the second you step in, bam! You\u2019re hit by a smell\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right past the door, there\u2019s a rack overflowing with shoes. Strangely enough, it doesn\u2019t smell like dirty feet, it smells like worn shoes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, you are required to take off your shoes. If you forget, there\u2019s a sign that reminds you a few steps in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So there I was, barefoot, dragging two suitcases up the stairs, heading into the capsule hostel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also following the instructions I got earlier via email, once I got to the reception desk \u2013 which is unstaffed in the evenings and at night \u2013 I found some lockboxes that hold access cards for the unoccupied capsules. I used a code, one of the boxes opened, I grabbed my card, then followed the instructions on the screen for how to use the capsule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It shows you, step by step, how to open it, what each button inside does, how to unlock it, and other useful things. I watched the video twice, just to be sure I wouldn\u2019t get stuck. Then I dragged my luggage and went to look for my \u201csummer home\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I got capsule number 55. There are 62 in total, for 88 people \u2013 since some are doubles. The \u201csingle\u201d ones are 1 meter wide, but all are the same length \u2013 2 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re mixed. (In Japan, you rarely find mixed ones; most capsule hostels are either for men only or for women only.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wow! It looks more sci-fi than what I saw a few years ago in Tokyo. I have to say, I\u2019m thrilled! Actually, I\u2019m super curious to try something new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fear that I\u2019d be the only weirdo with a huge suitcase vanishes instantly when I see almost every capsule has big suitcases like mine parked in front of them, large backpacks, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Girls dressed in loungewear, sitting directly on the carpet, unpack and pack bags, which they then neatly place next to their capsules. I do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a nice vibe here, kind of like summer camp. Many cheerful, relaxed people walk around the hallways barefoot. Some use the spacious kitchen tables not just for snacking, but also to play board games. There\u2019s even a terrace where you can eat outdoors, but with how freezing it is, not a soul is out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have free coffee and tea, all you want. And don\u2019t even get me started on the tap water \u2013 it\u2019s excellent and served for free even in restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also cook, the kitchen is fully equipped. But that\u2019s only allowed until 10 PM. As with any other \u201cnoise-producing\u201d activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s even a sign about that. I didn\u2019t see a piano, but there was a pool table, yes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the living area, you can comfortably sit and chat, play a game of pool, or dry your laundry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll also find a shelf where you can grab extra blankets or pillows, and a place to hang your wrinkled clothes on their hangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The place is still quite lively, even though it\u2019s getting close to the time when we\u2019re supposed to switch to \u201csilent mode\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I do a quick headcount and yes, most people are young. I spot an older lady and feel glad that she and I help balance out the average age a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some girls and guys pass by, lightly dressed with towels over their shoulders, clearly heading to the showers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My turn comes too. I grab my towel, my flip-flops, and can\u2019t help but smile at the situation: there are three people in line ahead of me for the showers. I picked rush hour…<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are 9 individual bathrooms, each equipped with a shower, a toilet, a sink, and a little stool where you can place your things. Everything is very clean and, out of common decency, you can\u2019t leave behind any mess or water on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I knew in advance that I had to bring my own towel, something I haven\u2019t done in years when traveling. Here, you need one. But if you don\u2019t have one or forgot, you can rent one from them. It costs 1,000 Icelandic kr\u00f3na (about 7 euros).<\/p>\n\n\n\n But now, let\u2019s get to my cell for the night. Uhm, I mean, my capsule \ud83d\ude42 The capsule I paid 87 euros for (one of the cheapest accommodations in Iceland!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the instructions on the reception monitor, I open the capsule with the key card, inspect it carefully, then step inside to learn how the buttons work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I accidentally turn on the disco light, haha. Well, they\u2019d call it the rest light. Then I find the white one, adjustable. And I start exploring every corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a TV, a space where you can hang and store a few things, a small table, headphones, a fire extinguisher, an outlet, USB port, even a safe! All that in two meters by one meter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also discover an emergency button! I hope I don\u2019t accidentally bump it during the night, who knows, maybe I\u2019d wake up to the army bursting in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The capsule display tells you not to bother looking \u2013 it\u2019s outdated, from the days when capsules were still a novelty back in Asia…<\/p>\n\n\n\n The air system works and seems like they\u2019ve set the temperature perfectly. I\u2019m not touching it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I test the \u201cbed\u201d. It feels very comfy! I understand the mattress is a fancy one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While I\u2019m at it, I notice above me the reading light and the \u201cwake-up light\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I get down using the little steps attached to the capsule and rummage through my suitcases. I only take with me a small bag with documents, my pajamas, some water, and my laptop. The rest I leave outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I close the capsule door. I realize I don\u2019t have a problem, the space is actually bigger than I imagined, at least in terms of height. I figure this kind of accommodation could be terrifying for someone who\u2019s claustrophobic, but you can<\/em> sleep with the door open, just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I try out the TV. I find out I have to download an app and enter my capsule number to access some programs, but I give up, I\u2019m too tired. I let the soothing background animations play on the screen for a bit. They have a hypnotic effect, like I\u2019m a little kid watching Bebe TV \ud83d\ude42 The next day, I pour all my curiosity into a chat with the owner, whom I find at the reception. She\u2019s waiting for a group of 80 people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And yes, she tells me that only they and the ones on the southern island have this kind of capsule accommodation. (The southern one only has singles.) There used to be another capsule hotel in Iceland, in Reykjavik, but they lost their building and shut down the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I praise the Japanese for this invention, when \u2013 surprise \u2013 the lady tells me these capsules are actually Chinese! What?!? That they invented them and later sold them to the Japanese, who made them famous. And that she and her husband got theirs from China. They started the business 6 years ago. (Which explains why I didn\u2019t know about them 9 years ago when I first came to Iceland.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hmm, it makes me think, because I\u2019d read that these capsules were a Japanese quirk that started in 1979, in Osaka. So\u2026 Japan. I\u2019ll have to look into that…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Either way, it\u2019s interesting now to compare it with the capsule hotel I entered out of curiosity in Tokyo, back in spring 2018 \u2013 and ended up\u2026 in the men\u2019s section \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since I had already read about these unique hotels, I went looking for one near the hotel I was staying at, just to see what it looked like, how people stayed there, because I didn\u2019t quite have the courage to actually book a night…<\/p>\n\n\n\n I walked in politely and told the staff I wanted to learn more about their capsule hotel. The people were friendly and agreed, but there was one issue: it was a men-only hotel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, they gave me a tour of all the areas where a crazy woman like me could enter without stumbling upon naked men… Dream on, girl, dream on \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a small town in Iceland, this type of accommodation is probably the best option for hikers. In gigantic Tokyo, it seems more like a pre-business-meeting sleep solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They show me the \u201cpods\u201d, which look different from the capsules in Iceland. But hey, this was back in 2018, maybe by now they\u2019ve upgraded to ones that can land on the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many are empty and I can peek at the conditions inside. Some have just been vacated, judging by the messy bed linens, while in others people are sleeping. Shhhh, let\u2019s not wake those who have pulled down their \u201cblinds\u201d that act as doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comparing the two types of capsules five years apart, I notice some similarities: the \u201croom\u201d is 2 meters long, 1 meter wide, and 1 meter high. There\u2019s air conditioning, a TV, and Wi-Fi. But the Japanese ones stand out in a few ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s soooo quiet here. Not a sound! Every question I ask is whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luggage has its own designated area, nothing is left in the hallways, absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shoes are left at the entrance, but not all together \u2014 each pair goes in a locked compartment, like a mini safe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then you grab a pair of slippers. And that\u2019s what you wear everywhere. You switch to a new\/disinfected pair when you change zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bathroom is shared, but it has absolutely everything you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have free towels, which you take before entering the shower area \u2013 which I didn\u2019t get access to, so I can\u2019t tell you any thrilling stories from behind the curtain\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n And you get free pajamas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The conditions at the capsule hotel are surprisingly good, especially for the low price you pay per night (around \u20ac15 per night in spring 2018. I checked again in 2023, and it went up to 30-something euros per night, or over 50 euros on weekends).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a sauna, massage services, and a spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are vending machines with juices, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, milk, and ice cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a caf\u00e9. But also a tea corner with free refills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a laundry room on-site. And computers with free internet access, plus a printer you can use for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
And just like that, I pass out\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\nCAPSULE HOTEL IN TOKYO<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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