TokyoTomo Travel Guide

A capsule hotel (カプセルホテル, kapuseru hoteru ) is a hotel system of extremely high occupancy that originated in Japan and remain most common here. It is frequent by salaryman and where one usually put up for a nights rest after missing the last train.

The first capsule hotel was the Capsule Inn Osaka, located in the Umeda district of Osaka. Opened in the year 1979 and the initial room rate was 1,600yen. The capsule hotel became popular during the bubble years when land prices was at a premium and quick easy accommodation was required for businessmen who were staying late at work and far away to make the trip home.

A company called “First Cabin” has just opened its first capsule hotel under the brand First Cabin in its birth place in Osaka lately.

According to the company’s website, the concept is:

• A new “cabin-style” membership hotel adopting the image of a first-class airplane.
• Offering at a low rate prices similar to a capsule hotel, and far lower than a business hotel’s rate.
• Stylish, luxurious and functional rooms.
• Offering similar facilities to Airlines member’s lounge or on first-class airplane cabins.
• First cabin is available all day, every day.
• Separate Cabins for men and women
• Speedy mobile phone payment system, cashless system available.

The overnight stay rate is set at 3,800yen for the “business class cabin” and 4,800yen for the “first class cabin” (shown in the picture), with a 1 hour stay starting from 900yen and 800yen respectively (minimum stay 2 hours).

Television sets using are of 32″ LCD displays (26″ for business class)  and equipped with full internet LAN capabilities. Separate lounge, counter check-in and shower facilities are available too. Members can make reservations by mobile phone applications and once checked in open the key to their cabin with their mobile phone after having downloaded the application from within the hotel.

Visit the First Cabin’s website for more information