First Cabin Midousuji - Namba

The extra space and storage made this the best capsule hotel I’ve tried around the country. There’s room to secure your luggage, which is unusual, and you can choose a private shower as well as the public bath. Namba Station’s Exit 13 is right beside it, with the main station and Takashimaya about a five-minute walk away. I’d happily come back, especially for a solo trip.

One night wasn’t enough. The place was so easy to move around, from reception to the room, public bath, and shared facilities, and it all felt thoughtfully arranged. The room was comfortable and the location was great, as others have said. The male staff member on duty early in the morning was especially kind and welcoming. I’d stay here for my whole trip next time I’m in Osaka.

I picked this cabin hotel for one night before catching the early rapid express from Namba to Nankai airport, and it worked well for that. An elevator goes straight into the station, and it took about five minutes to walk from the hotel to the train. The cabin was roomier than I expected, with a large bed, useful side table and nearby charging sockets. Towels and pyjamas were provided, and the shower had toiletries and hot water. There’s a locking cupboard under the bed. It won’t fit a whole suitcase, but I could have put a DSLR, large laptop, and small handbag in it together. The cabin door itself doesn’t lock, though you need an access card to get into the zone where it’s located, which made me feel safe. Bring earplugs. Even when people were generally quiet, zippers, doors, and locks carried through the space. With earplugs, I slept very well.

The metro is directly accessible from this place, and the location is fantastic. It was quiet and clean, with vending machines and an onsen that was quite okay. I did find the check-in at 17:00 and checkout at 10:00 a bit hard to understand, and the gap between them felt too long. There’s also just one shower on each floor.