On a business trip to Japan, I was thinking how to make the stay a little more interesting not only for myself, but also to give you a glimpse of interesting and novel accommodations.

And in the case of Tokyo, of course, a stay in a typical Japanese capsule hotel is offered.

Honestly, I prefer more comfort, but mainly privacy and rooms with private bathrooms. So I was a little apprehensive about staying there. How was it in the end? And would I sleep in a capsule hotel again?

More reviews from this trip:

• ✈️ Lufthansa Allegris First Class: a review of the new first class on the Airbus A350 (HND-MUC)
• ✈️ Lufthansa First Class: a review of the old first class in the Boeing 747-8 (FRA-HND)
• 🏨 APA Hotel Ginza Shintomicho Ekimae Kita: review of a standard 3* hotel in Tokyo
• 🏨 Hotel Indigo Shibuya: review of a premium hotel overlooking Shibuya Junction
• 🏨 Ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo: review of a very cheap Accor hotel in central Kyoto

Price and booking capsule

I booked the capsule hotel mainly to try something new.

But I won't lie, it wasn't until the extremely low price (at least by Tokyo standards) that I was definitely convinced to actually book 1 night here.

I paid for 1 bed for 1 night in the men's dormitory 5 400 jpy. Thus the cheapest hotel in all of Tokyo that I could find for my dates.

The price was without breakfast and with free cancellation.

I booked the stay as standard through booking.com.

• 👉 F ind out the capsule rates at Tomariya Ueno Hotel

A capsule hotel always has designated men-only common rooms and women-only common rooms. Even if you're travelling as a couple, you can't have a capsule next to each other.

Fast check-in and free luggage storage

I arrived at Haneda Airport early in the morning, so I arrive at the hotel before noon.

Check-in isn't until 3pm. I don't expect any extra services from a capsule hotel for free, which makes it all the more pleasantly surprising to be able to store my luggage for free.

I place my luggage in the luggage room myself and lock it with a lock with a code, which I have to take a picture of so I can unlock it later.

The luggage room is available throughout your stay (there are no lockers in the actual cubicle room).

I use the locker and go for a walk in nearby Ueno Park.

In the afternoon I return for check-in, which is very quick. I don't get any keys, I just take a picture of the code that gets me into the common room on the 5th floor.

Location and transport

You'll find the Tomariya Ueno Hotel about a 7-minute walk from Ueno Station.

• JR Yamanote Line Train - Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, Ginza, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Meiji Shrine, Akihabara, Hamarikyu Garden
• Keihin-Tohoku Line Train - Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, Ginza, Shinagawa, Akihabara, Yokohama, Hamarikyu Garden
• Tokyo Metro Ginza Line - Ginza, Akihabara, Senso-Ji Temple, Shibuya
• Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line - Akihabara, Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza, Tokyo Tower
• 👉 Find out our experience of travelling by subway in Tokyo

Capsule Common Room

Through a coded door, I enter a fairly small common room with about 20 capsules.

Immediately outside the door, I have to take off my shoes and put them in a locker that is not lockable. But Japan is a safe country with almost zero crime, so I'm not worried about my shoes or other belongings being stolen.

Then on the left side behind the entrance door is a free space for luggage.

The capsules are placed in pairs on top of each other in a small common room.

There really isn't a lot of space here, so it only makes sense to bring a backpack with the essentials, and if you don't want to leave your main luggage unattended in the middle of the common room at night, you can use the luggage room downstairs.

How convenient is the capsule? Sleep?

I have capsule number 8, which is the top bunk. I don't mind it, but if you don't like to climb ladders, I recommend that when you book through booking.com you write in your request that you want the bottom capsule.

The capsule can fit one mattress without any extra space.

Inside there is just a small lockable locker for your mobile phone, a lamp, a socket for charging and a small shelf to fit your phone, charger and maybe a small bottle of drink.

A bit of a problem for me is that I'm simply used to having a few personal items with me when sleeping, such as a laptop, a drink for the night and possibly a backpack with basic clothes.

While there is no storage space in the capsule, because the mattress is relatively wide, I end up keeping my backpack and two drink bottles right by me.

Each capsule has an opaque retractable roller blind, but of course it's not soundproof. It shields light very well, but sound not at all, so earplugs are an absolute must unless you're a really heavy sleeper.

You can hear everything. Snoring from other capsules, doors opening, luggage, etc.

The main thing though - the comfort of the mattress, pillows and blanket - is totally fine by me. Everything is very clean, the mattress thick and wide, rather hard, but just right for me.

In the end, I have to say that I actually slept quite well! I wouldn't have slept at all without earplugs, but if you can manage to sleep with them or don't mind the noise, absolutely no problem for me.

Shower and toilet

Each floor has its own shared bathroom. There are 2 sinks, 2 toilets and 2 showers for a total of 20 beds.

This is especially early in the morning (between 6:30 and 8:00) quite a bit and queues can form.

But everything is immaculately clean and very tidy!

There is free soap, shampoo and conditioner in the shower and you can use a hair dryer at the sink in addition to the soap.

Services at the hotel

What all does the hotel offer guests for services?

At the reception you will find a lounge with tables and seats (there are no seats on the capsule floors).

In this room you can use the following services:

• cold and hot water (free)
• microwave (free)
• washing machine and tumble dryer (300 jpy - can only be paid for with 100 yen coins)
• luggage storage (free)
• vending machine for drinks

Conclusion - just right for 1 night

My feelings about sleeping in a capsule hotel are contradictory.

Frankly, it's not my style. I travel so much that I'm already a bit spoiled - by the Plaza Hotel in New York, for example - and I don't think capsule hotels will be part of my standard.

But...

I had a surprisingly good night's sleep, so the hotel actually served its purpose perfectly.

However, due to the lack of any kind of table, sofa, or simply the inability to have all my belongings right next to my bed, I can't imagine spending more than one night in a capsule hotel.

Find out the capsule rates at Tomariya Ueno

So to sum up. If I needed a quick night's sleep near Ueno train station and didn't want to spend a lot of money, then I would easily consider staying here again.

Our tips for other hotels

Not happy with the location near Ueno Station or looking for standard hotels? We would recommend these options.

Other capsule hotels

• Book Tea Bed Shibuya - a great-rated modern capsule hotel about a 5-minute walk from the famous Shibuya Junction
• Rembrandt Cabin Shinjuku Shin-Okubo - the best value capsule hotel in the Shinjuku area
• Glansit Akihabara - a well-rated capsule hotel in the lively Akihabara district,

Cheap standard hotels

If you prefer a standard room with a private bathroom, but at a reasonable price, we'd suggest these hotels:

• Hotel Amanek Asakusa Sakurabashi - a very cheap hotel near Senso-ji Temple
• KOKO HOTEL Ginza 1-chome - the cheapest modern hotel right in the centre of Tokyo in the Ginza shopping district