Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel

The capsule was really cool and the location was prime, but the facilities weren’t what we expected. Online, it said there’d be a male and a female onsen as well as showers. In reality, women had showers but no onsen, and men had an onsen but no showers. If you’re a man who isn’t comfortable fully immersing yourself in a traditional Japanese washing environment, this probably isn’t the place for you. If you’re open minded, it could be a cool experience.

The men's 7th floor was insanely hot, while the women's floor had AC. There were men's ONLY sauna/pools. If you’re a man who runs cold and can sleep in 90-degree, uncirculated heat to save money, go ahead. This Texan sweated to death all night and cancelled the rest of the stay. The bag storage button was right against the smoker room, and there was zero security for stored items. They said they weren’t liable if anything was stolen.

I moved to a proper hotel farther toward central Tokyo after this stay, and I wouldn't come back. The location in the middle of Shinjuku is great, and the place was generally clean, but sleeping was tough. My capsule faced a bright light, there was no ventilation, and I could hear karaoke outside. The lockers are tiny, and men have public baths instead of showers. If you can sleep through light and noise, it may suit you as a cheap place to stay. I'm a light sleeper, so it didn't work for me.

Getting around was easy from this spot right by Shinjuku Station, and the hotel and staff were nice and clean. Most guests kept quiet. The surrounding area felt more touristy and nightlife-focused than I expected, though, and there was street noise and a rougher feel. Karaoke from the bar downstairs came through even with earplugs. You also have to check out of your capsule each day, and the showers are shared. Fine for a quick stay, but I wouldn't pick it for several nights if comfort or quiet matters.