9h nine hours Hamamatsucho

The lounge on the top floor has spectacular views of Tokyo Tower, and the rooftop terrace was usually empty, making it a quiet spot to relax with the view. Food isn’t allowed in the capsule area, but there’s plenty of seating in the lounge. I stayed three nights, and the capsule was clean, roomy, and comfortable. My locker fit a hand-luggage bag and backpack, but not a large suitcase, which could be stored at reception. Everything was very clean, though the used-towel box turned into an overflowing pile later at night. There were plenty of showers, and I never had to queue. Fresh towels and pajamas were put in my capsule each day. The pajamas were too small for me as an average European, so bring your own unless you’re quite petite like many Japanese people. The lockers, showers, and capsules are on different floors, with only an elevator and no stairs, so you’ll spend some time waiting for it. That seems to come with the space limitations of Tokyo buildings.

The shower and locker setup made the price feel worthwhile. My locker just fit a roll-aboard carry-on, with a backpack crammed on top. There was room underneath for a bigger bag, though it wouldn’t be locked there. The showers were great, and the capsule was roomy. Bathrooms are reached through a door from the capsule area, with a few more in the locker area, but the bathrooms on the capsule floor have no sinks. The mattress and pillow seem made for back sleepers. I sleep on my side, and found them less comfortable. Rolling up the duvet as a pillow worked well enough.

Most of our group, two adults and a teenager, slept poorly at Nine Hours Hamamatsucho. The mattress was extremely thin and offered too little support. I had hip pain during the night, which has never happened to me before. The pillow was another problem: its shape fits the capsule neatly, but it was too firm and thin for comfort. It’s a pity, because the modern design is excellent and everything else worked very well. The concept of trading a small amount of personal space for a genuinely comfortable night makes sense in a city with limited space, but we didn’t get that experience. For now, it feels more like a design-focused hostel than the comfortable modern hotel it seems meant to be. I wouldn’t stay again as it is, though I’d reconsider if they improved the bedding. This seems fixable with optional thicker, higher-quality mattresses, perhaps memory foam, and a choice of pillows. Even as a paid upgrade, that could make a big difference, especially for international guests who aren’t used to this kind of bedding. With those changes, it could be exceptional.

The pods and capsules are tidy and nice places to rest, and the view from the 10th floor is great. It’s a good location, and a workable place for one night if needed. Getting between floors can be a bit stressful: from your pod to the lockers for your things, then to the bathroom floor for showers, and back again. The pillows are like rocks, so be ready for a terrible night’s sleep.