First Cabin Akihabara

A good choice if you want a capsule hotel with a more premium feel. The standard capsules are tall enough to stand in, and the “Business Class” rooms have space for a small coffee table. Each capsule has a TV, though you need to bring your own headphones. Earplugs are provided for light sleepers. Shared showers come with toiletries, towels, hairdryers, and hair irons. There are coin-operated washers and dryers too. Akihabara station is a short five-minute walk away.

It’s a quiet hostel with private cubicles, and everything was clean. The showers were nice, with gels and other supplies, and pajamas are provided. There are vending machines with lots of options, a small spa area, and a modest but filling breakfast you can order. I’m giving it four stars because we stayed in a very similar capsule hotel that had an adjustable bed, more storage, and bigger showers.

Akihabara is right around the corner, with loads of local places to eat nearby. The rates are great, and it’s hard to do better. There’s also a hot tub to soak in after a long day, plus a huge range of items in the vending machines, so you could spend your whole stay inside if you wanted. If you’re new to capsule hotels, especially as a foreigner, this is a great place to start. The staff speak excellent English, the capsules feel more like small rooms, and there are lots of free amenities.

First Cabin was a delightful place to stay for the two nights I’d booked in advance. It’s very close to Ikebukuro station, and I’d recommend it and come back. The facilities were great, with a spa, chat lounges, clean modern toilets, and a makeup room for women. The capsule rooms were actually very spacious. Men and women have separate floors and spa rooms, which was a nice touch.