Japan 2018: First Capsule Hotel Experience! (First Cabin Arashiyama)

While I was in Osaka/Kyoto, I had decided pretty last minute that I was going to stay the night. I didn’t want to have to travel 2.5h back to Tokyo and then travel a total of 5h the next day to come back to Kyoto and then again to Tokyo - I wanted to experience as much as I could. So, while I was still exploring Dotonbouri and had a chance to sit and rest a bit, I decided to Google capsule hotels in the Kyoto area. I found First Cabin Arashiyama which had great reviews and it was near the bamboo forest, so I decided to just book it. It was about $45 CAD for the night, which I found pretty cheap for a last minute booking. You might be able to book it for cheap a few weeks in advance (though prices have probably gone up since 2018 and it depends on the time you travel to Japan).

Very easy to book though Google or if you go to their website, there will be a few simple questions and basic information you have to fill out. And as with any foreigner (I don’t suppose this holds for Japanese residents), make sure you have your passport so you can check in.

Also, sort of off topic but my journey to get here - I rode this really small and cool train. Trains like this in Canada/Toronto aren’t really common, so I found fascinating. Second, Arashiyama station is so beautiful. They have these poles with designs in them (I think it’s supposed to represent kimono designs? Sorry, I’m not exactly sure) but at night, they all light up and its breathtaking!

FC Arashiyama is right at the station! It might be a little difficult to find but its right at the corner - the door leads straight to an elevator. You’ll need to take the elevator to the lobby to check in!

Image from Trip Advisor

I’ve read and watched videos on capsule hotels before, so I sort of knew what I was getting into but I’ve never experienced anything like this before. We definitely don’t have capsule hotels here where I live. Once you sign in, the staff usually knows a small bit of English but they will hand you a piece of paper that lets you know the rules like: no talking or loud noises in the capsule, etc. They give you your scan card to get into and out of rooms, a key for the small safe box in the capsule and a card for complimentary breakfast. Men and women are split, with women in the lobby floor and for men, you need to take the escalator down one more floor.

Surprisingly, the capsule was pretty spacious. I’m only 5’7’’, so I can’t speak for anyone past 6’ probably… It was incredibly clean - the capsule and the shared spaces. Plus, its actually pretty quite in there - hopefully you aren’t near any loud snorers because you’ll probably be able to hear that but you can grab earplugs at the front desk.

Like I said, each capsule has a safe, there is also a TV (which plays a few Japanese channels), and all the plus and switches for lights/AC are on the small ledge right beside you for easy access. There is space at the ends of the room where you can store large luggage cases and there is also extra blankets there if you need any.

They provide you with a set of pajamas and the typical toothbrush/toothpaste/towel. The toilets are in a separate room from the shower room, there are images indicating each though, so you don’t have to worry about that. Just remember to bring everything you need when you go to each respective place for whatever reason because it’ll be a small walk back to your capsule.

Please remember to adjust your fan/AC option or you might feel suffocated like someone forgot to do… (-cough- my mom). When you’re ready to go to sleep, just pull your capsule screen down and remember that yes, the screen doesn’t completely shut and no, you cannot lock it. You don’t have to feel unsafe or anything because there are cameras in the hall and staff are watching them.
I found it pretty comfortable and I had no trouble sleeping at all. I didn’t wake up in the middle of the night or anything of that sorts. Depending on which stage of sleep I’m in, I’m a light/medium sleeper, so…

Once you’re recharged and ready to start your adventure again, if you’re staying another night, make sure you place the clean/do not clean sign that was in your capsule, close your screen and remember to turn off the lights. If you’re leaving, you can just leave it open - make sure you remember to take your stuff in the safe.
FC serves complimentary breakfast between a certain time (I want to say 7-9 but I can’t quite remember, it’s on the card though!). So head to the lobby and give them the card (you’ll also want to return your key/pass if you’re leaving, I believe check out is 12PM).

It’s a pretty simple breakfast: plain white congee with a few side dishes of pickled vegetables, tofu, egg and fish. Nice light breakfast to start your day.

Honestly, with this being my first capsule hotel experience, it was pretty amazing. The only thing I was afraid of is that it would be dirty and really noisy but it was actually the opposite. I loved my stay here (I stayed here again in 2019 which will be in another blog post probably) and would definitely recommend this place to everyone.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to ask me! Hope you stay tuned for my next post where I explore the Kyoto area.

-Thomas