An In Depth Gaijin Guide to Capsule Hotels

The first Capsule Hotel was opened in Osaka in 1971 and an overnight stay would set you back ¥1,600 - its about double that these days. All are single sex only (male only/female only). Persons with tattoos are not permitted. (This stems from tattoos being linked with the Yakuza).

Most Capsule Hotel Goers are Japanese Business Men too drunk on Sake to make their way home.

All Capsule Hotels will have - communal baths, a TV room some with wireless internet access, vending machines for drinks/snacks, and public telephones. Most will have - a restaurant, a barber, spa, sauna and messages available.

If you're a light sleeper ear plugs might be a good idea, as alarms go off from about 3am onwards every fifteen minutes with 400 Japanese Business Men waking up at different times from 3am to 5am. With a tiny wooden blind you hear everything, snoring included!

CHECKiNG iN:

As you enter the lobby you are required to take off your shoes and place them into a shoe locker [images] provided. (Socks/bare feet is acceptable). These are numbered and most don't have keys, they use the honour system. The standard questions are (asked in Japanese): Do you have a reservation? How many nights are you staying? And if you would like the naughty channels enabled (fees apply).

You pay up front and then are provided with your handy Velcro wrist strap key device. As fancy as that sounds its just a key attached to a Velcro wrist Strap with a number written on it. You take this with you everywhere, shower included.

(They offer storage for suitcases, they give you a plastic ticket to identify your bags, leave this in your locker. You aren't really meant to take any baggage beyond the lobby. But because your Gaijin you're expected to break the rules. Hot Tip: Sneak a camera in and take some pictures to show your friends!)

YOUR CAPSULE:

The capsule is just over two metres long, this could pose a problem for the taller travellers. I'm a 183cm tall so it was a little tight. There is enough head room to sit upright. There is a thin mattress with a fitted sheet, sheet and pillow all provided. The sheets have that starchy hospital grade clean feel to them.

There is a small TV built in with about 5 digital channels. They aren't bi-lingual like most TV's in Japan so you can't change the audio back to English for News nor Movies. There is also censored naughty channels if you paid extra (or so I am told). Other features include a Radio & Alarm clock to wake you up in the morning.
GETTiNG CHANGED:

The key that you are given opens a locker in the change rooms. There is limited room between the lockers and I found it hard to get changed. In your locker you will find a pair of one size fits all cotton boxer shorts and a cotton robe. You are required to wear these while in the Hotel. You get changed out of your street where and become part of the cotton robe groupies. Getting changed can be a little tricky the lockers are packed tight and no seats are provided. (Rush to check out before 9am in the morning was always fun).

The other challenge is the need for fresh clothes in the morning, you need to think ahead and get to your suitcase the next morning or the night before so you can get fresh clothes. (Coin Laundry services are available). Once dressed its time to check into your box for the night.
DOiNG YOUR BUSiNESS:
*IMPORTANT*

When entering a toilet area you MUST wear the rubber slippers provided. If they appear missing, all slippers must be currently occupied. Just wait for a pair to be returned by one of your fellow guests. Also remember to leave the toilet slippers behind!!! Don't go walking around the hotel with these still on. So many fresh Gaijin make this mistake which leads to embarrassment for both you and your Japanese hosts!
COMMUNAL BATH:

Here in Australia public nudity is taboo. Most would rather drive home from the gym sweaty than enter a communal shower. In Japan its completely different, with the hot springs popular all year round its very common to go to these springs with your friends and family! All in the buff! Its socially acceptable and pretty much expected. I was prepared for this... Nothing like showering with 60 other men to get over your fear of public nudity!


Now there is a set procedure to this process as well. You'll be greeted with a room with hooks and normally a basket full of robes. Undress and leave your hotel robe in the basket provided. As you walk towards the shower area there should be a pile of white wash clothes. Collect one of these on the way past. Its good manners to cover oneself while walking. Take note of the large bath in the centre of the room, but don't get ahead of yourself.

Around the room there should be 'washing stations' if you like. They basically comprise of a plastic tub for a seat, a shower head, soap, shampoo & conditioner. Spot a free one of these and take a seat. You are also expected to shave in this time. Razors and shaving cream are provided as you walk in.

Give yourself a good rinse, then lather up with soap using the wash cloth. Take your time, there isn't any rush. Wash all of you, lather up a good amount of soap all over your body. You'll see why this is important next. Then rinse. This process should take up to 5 to 7 minutes. You're first instinct maybe to get this over with as quickly as possible. But that will appear as you have poor personal hygiene.

Now this is why you must make a good effort cleaning yourself. Once you have removed all traces of soap you are to relax in the warm communal bath in the centre of the room. Nothing will send a pack of Japanese Business Men fleeing from the bath faster than a poorly washed Gaijin!

Now the water is kept at a high temperature so you may want to lower yourself in slowly. This just melts away the aches and pains from a hard day. Spend as much time in here as you like. Normally the wash cloth is placed on your head, this is said to stop you from passing out (its *not* that hot). Or on the side of the bath. Don't disgard it just yet. As soon as you've had enough, I normally could take the heat for about seven minutes.

Stand up and walk towards the exit, normally on the other side from where you entered. Ring out your wash cloth on the floor and place it in the tub provided near the door. There will be a small drying room, with electric fans blowing cool air on your now probably red skin. Grab a towel and dry. You should have now spotted more of those lovely cotton boxers and robes.

The next room has hair driers, hair product and even a barber if you need a hair cut. (They really think of everything don't they!)

There you survived communal bathing! The Japanese are so nonchalant about it, no one even batters an eye lid. I think western society could learn a thing or two from this. We've all got bodies who cares!!!

CHECKiNG OUT:

Go to the locker room, get changed (get clothes out of suitcase if need be). Leave your locker key in the lock. Put your boxers and robes in the wash basket near the door. Done deal, you're on your way! (Remember to grab your shoes on the way out).
FiNAL COMMENT:

Its something that you have to do at least once! Its truly an experience that only Japan can offer. You maybe in for a poor nights sleep, but this is something that you can tell everyone back home about. Its a affordable, its safe, its an experience!!!

Don't just be another tourist, get amongst it!