What are capsule hotels?
Capsule hotels are a very popular concept of high-capacity hotels born in Japan, where each client is assigned a simple sleeping pod. They at least contain a bed, sometimes some shelving, a TV, outlets, or other amenities. Bathrooms are shared, like in a hostel. Luggage can be placed in a locker, as there usually isn’t room for it in the pod!
The first capsule hotel in the world, the Capsule Inn Osaka, opened in 1979. Since then, the concept spread through the rest of Japan, as well as the Western world as “pod hotels” and locations now include about a dozen other countries.
Clients typically only spend one night in a capsule hotel for quick and cheap accommodation, though some spend extended stays. It’s obviously not the most comfortable lodging, but it’s very convenient when needed – and a yet another unique experience when visiting Japan.
Best Gay-Friendly Capsule Hotels in Tokyo
Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
Area
Shinjuku, near Golden-gai
Why we love it
This classic capsule hotel is within walking distance of the most vibrant gay nightlife of Tokyo. Despite the vintage decor, it is clean, comfortable, and safe thanks to an alarm in each pod. Every capsule also has a TV, light dimmer, and outlets. This hotel also features a beautifully ornate bathhouse and sauna which are open 24h. Other floors in the building include a restaurant and a large business lounge. There is free wi-fi.
Things to note
- Prices vary from ¥3,610 per night in the middle of the week, up to ¥7,885 on weekends and holidays.
- This hotel accepts men and women on separate floors, but the bathhouse and sauna are for men only.
- It is also possible to do “short stays”, which means staying a few hours during the day and not overnight. Stays are not possible between 10am and 2pm due to cleaning.
How to get there
- 160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−2−5 東陽ビル 3F
- 7 minutes from Shinjuku-Sanchome station or 9 minutes from Shinjuku station
Anshin Oyado Premier Tokyo Shinjuku Ekimae
Area
Shinjuku, near the station
Why we love it
This capsule hotel is exceptionally close to the station. There are an incredible amount of free services: rice, softs drinks during the day and alcohol after 5pm, breakfast. massage chair, manga rental… the list goes on. There is also a high quality, immaculately clean bathing and sauna area with free self-care products. The pods are decently-sized and feature a TV with headphones and USB outlets, as well as a lock and an alarm button.
Finally, the hotel advertises its gay friendliness by displaying photographs of male couples using amenities on its website.
Things to note
- Depending where and when you book, the rooms are between ¥6,000 and ¥9,000 per night, which seems fair given the amount of free services and amenities. There are also ways to stay for cheaper per night if you come back several times (down to ¥3,500 per night). Short stay is also possible.
- The lockers are located on the bottom floor, far from the pods and bathrooms, which can make it a bit difficult to organize yourself.
- Tattooed individuals may not use the public baths and sauna unless it can be completely hidden with a sticker.
How to get there
- 160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 4 Chome−2−10 新近ビル
- 3 minutes from Shinjuku station or 6 minutes from Shinjuku-Sanchome station
- The lockers are located on the bottom floor, far from the pods and bathrooms, which can make it a bit difficult to organize yourself.
- Tattooed individuals may not use the public baths and sauna unless it can be completely hidden with a sticker.
Anshin Oyado woman Tokyo Shiodome-ten
Area
Ginza, Shiodome
Why we love it
It is Japan’s largest women-only hotel.
Each room features a flat-screen TV and air conditioning.
Free services include: miso soup, green tea and soft drink, alcoholic drinks at night, toiletries. There are also a free manga reading corner, hot baths and sauna, and free Internet.
Online reviews wrote the location is surprisingly accommodating for non-Japanese-speaking customers.
Things to note
- This location has been for women only since June 2024. It is run by the same company as the previous capsule hotel.
- Prices vary from ¥6,000 to ¥10,000 per night depending on the day of the week. Short stay is also possible at the rate of ¥3,000 for five hours and ¥4,000 for 10 hours until midnight. Finally, it is possible to access the hot baths and sauna for only ¥2,000 for two hours between 3am and 1 am or for 20,000 per month.
- Note that the public bath is closed every Monday between 3pm and 6pm due to maintenance, and the sauna is closed every night between 1am and 3am for the same reason. Tattooed individuals may not use the hot baths and sauna unless it can be completely hidden with a sticker.
- All the facilities are non-smoking.
How to get there
- 2 Chome-7-8 Higashishinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0021
- 7 minutes from Shiodome station or 11 minutes from Onarimon station or 12 minutes from Shimbashi station (9 minutes for JR Shimbashi station)
Conclusion
Overall, there are a few notes to take into account for capsule hotels, whether they be gay-friendly or not. First, there can only strictly be one client per room, no matter if it’s for a short stay or staying the night. Second of all, you have to remember to remain quiet, as the rooms are in very close quarters! And finally, all capsule hotels have shared showers and bathrooms, which can always be a hit or miss in terms of cleanliness (the same goes for the hot tubs and saunas).
In any case, capsule hotels remain a useful and cheap alternative to hotels or airbnbs, and it’s good to know which ones are gay-friendly!