A Budget-Friendly Boutique Stay: Japan’s 4 Capsule Hotels Starting at ¥1,900 for 8 Hours of Sleep

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For backpackers or solo travelers looking to cut down on trip expenses, aside from airfare, accommodation is often the next area to save. If you don’t want to spend too much but still desire a private space to rest, a “capsule hotel” might be a great choice. The Japanese travel website Retrip has selected four capsule hotels where you can sleep for as low as ¥1,900 (approx. NT$490) per night—possibly making them a worthy consideration for your next trip.

▲ First Cabin doesn’t look like your typical capsule hotel (Image / from FIRST CABIN’s official Facebook page)

1. First Cabin – The First-Class Capsule Hotel
First Cabin is a well-known capsule hotel brand in Japan, with branches in Haneda Airport, Akihabara, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Unlike traditional capsule rooms that resemble space pods, each “First Cabin” single room covers 4.4 square meters and includes a comfortable bed, a 32-inch LCD TV, a small desk, storage space, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and more. The only thing you’ll need to use a shared floor for is the bathroom facilities, making it feel just like a private single room.

▲ “9h nine hours” is nicknamed the capsule hotel (Image / from “9h nine hours” official Facebook page)

2. “9h nine hours”
The concept behind the “9h nine hours” capsule hotel is based on three human activities: showering (1 hour), sleeping (7 hours), and getting ready (1 hour). The goal is to ensure travelers get ample rest before continuing their journey. The hotel primarily uses black and white tones, and its sleeping spaces resemble futuristic space capsules, offering a tranquil spot for weary travelers to rest.

Aside from its main Kyoto location, “9h nine hours” has also expanded to Terminal 2 of Narita Airport. It caters not only to overnight guests but also to travelers with long layovers who may want a brief rest. Guests who wish to freshen up during their wait can pay to use the facility’s amenities.

Accommodation rates at “9h nine hours”:
Kyoto Main Store: starting from ¥1,900
Narita Airport Store: starting from ¥3,900, with hourly rest options for ¥1,500 per hour

▲ New Japan Namba CABANA is only open to male guests (Image / fromRetrip)

3. New Japan Namba CABANA
Located in Osaka’s Namba and Shinsaibashi areas, New Japan Namba Cabana is a “male-only” capsule hotel. The hotel offers three types of packages: SPA, SPA + gym, and SPA + gym + accommodation. Additionally, there is a rooftop bar where travelers from around the world can unwind with a drink.

Accommodation rate at New Japan Namba CABANA: starting from ¥4,100

▲ SKYSPA provides various personal rest spaces, though its capsule hotel is only for men (Image / from RETRIP)

4. SKYSPA YOKOHAMA
Connected to Yokohama Station, “SKYSPA” offers services such as bedrock baths, sauna facilities, single rest rooms, and capsule lodging. Even if you miss the last train, you can spend the night here. Please note, however, that the capsule hotel section is only available for male guests. Female guests can opt for dormitory-style bedding, which consists of multiple connected single beds for overnight stays.

Reservation methods differ by gender—male guests can book online, while female guests can only make reservations by phone.

SKYSPA YOKOHAMA Capsule Hotel Accommodation Rates:
Morning (2 PM – 10 PM): ¥3,400
Evening (2 PM – 9 AM next day): ¥4,700