Kyoto Future Capsule Hotel – Stay for a Night for Just Over NT$1,000

Text & Photos /Kavanah
9 HOURS is a capsule-type hotel with a highly futuristic, high-tech interior design, which is quite popular among young backpackers both in Japan and abroad. I’ve stayed in many private and capsule-type accommodations in Japan, and personally, I really like this type of affordable and convenient lodging.

Although named 9 HOURS, you can actually check in at 12:00 noon every day and check out at 10:00 the next day, allowing for a maximum stay of up to 22 hours. As for pricing, it uses a floating rate system. Weekday prices generally range from 2,900 yen to 3,900 yen, while weekend or peak times might go as high as 4,900 yen to 5,900 yen. This time I booked through ALAN, and the booking price was 2,900 yen (tax included).

The location of 9 HOURS Kyoto is in Shijo-Kawaramachi. It’s just a one-minute walk to Kyoto’s most bustling district, making it a very prime location.

The exterior of 9 HOURS, with its modern look, is very eye-catching.

The exterior at night.

Upon entering the hotel, you first need to change into slippers, and the left side is where you store your shoes.

LOBBY. When checking in, the staff will inform you of your room location, Wi-Fi password, and provide an introduction to the various floors, etc.

Then they’ll give you two keys—one for the shoe locker and the other for the personal storage locker (located next to the shower area on the 9th floor).

Large luggage can be placed in this area on the first floor.

The first-floor common area.

The floors at 9 HOURS are gender-separated: the 1st floor is shared, floors 2–5 are for women, and floors 6–9 are for men. Even the elevators are gender-specific.

I stayed on the 7th floor.

Near the entrance to the 7th-floor rooms are the restrooms, of which there are two.

The room—feels a lot like a sci-fi spaceship hibernation pod.

The sleeping area. It’s pretty simple: just a mattress, blanket, and pillow (no TV).

On the far wall, there are light switches, an alarm clock, and a power outlet (just one).

The 9th floor is where the showers are, and next to them are individual lockers where you can store valuables to prevent loss.

Items in the locker include a set of cotton clothes, one towel, one bath towel, and a toothbrush.

The shower area.

The shower area features a wet/dry separation design.

Actually, the back of the shower area is connected...

At the back of the shower area, you can see that each shower stall is interconnected...

At the far end of the connecting corridor in the shower area, there’s a bathtub for soaking, but it’s currently out of use.

This tub is super small—it feels a bit weird to be squeezed in a tiny tub with strangers...

9 HOURS Kyoto Overall Review: Affordable price, great location, modern design, and a pleasant stay overall. Very comfortable to sleep in. However, personal belongings must be kept in your luggage on the first floor or locked in a locker, which means going up and down the stairs to get things—it’s a bit of a hassle. In my opinion, it’s good for just one or two nights, but not ideal for staying several nights in a row.

9 HOURS Kyoto Official Website:

Kavana@Stay Freely in Kyoto. A Second Life Begins in Kyoto.