Part of the experience of Japan were the varied hotel experiences I had. Heres a summary of the places are stayed in Japan, with the highs, lows, pics, and websites ----------------------- Tokyo - Shinjuku Kuyakusyomae Capsule Hotel http://www.ars-shinjuku.com/about.html Style - capsule Location : 5 mins from Shinjuku Station and Studio Alta east exit. Branching off line for many metro lines, and trains to major cities like Osaka/Kyoto. JR Yamonote
circle line and Chou Express to Tokyo Stations included in JR pass. Very difficult to find when you first arrive Nightlife : one if the busiest in Tokyo, lots of neon lights and billboards, strip clubs and husslers, pinochet arcades Room : capsules stacked two high, included tv with 10 japanese stations, shelf, mirror, roll down bllind Clothing : Japanese style robes provided with all toiletries with unlimited refills (towel, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, razor, shaving cream, comb, hairdryer) Bathing : communal sit down showers, hot tub, massage tub, sauna Clientele : mostly japanese businessmen, hardly any tourists Gender : mens only Food : restaurant with eggs breakfast or cooked fish available for purchase Storage : lockers provided and seperate room for large luggage Power outlets : no plug outlets to recharge batteries except at reception desk Language : reception all speak good english Extras : clean set of clothes for purchase next day (shirt, tie, socks, underwear) Pros : best authentic japanese capsule experience, great atmosphere Cons : roll down shade still has light from hallways, some noise from other capsules Recommend : yes, would definately stay again video : Tokyo Shinjuki Capsule Hotel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dzm8l5X xRM Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel - Row of Capsules Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel - Capsule Pod with TV Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel - Grilled Fish Breakfast Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel - Wearing Kimonos Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel - Communal Showers/Baths Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel - Fresh Shirt/Tie/Socks ------------------------ Kyoto - 9 hours
http://9hours. jp/details/index/ (click on each picture for details) Style - capsule Location : at main downtown intersection with department stores, metro station, shopping arcade Nightlife : walking distance to Gion and Geisha districts Room : alternating capsules stacked two high, no tv or shelf in capsule Clothing : sleeping jumpsuit with slippers provided, one set of toiletries and towel and no refills Bathing : private shower stalls, no communal tubs or sauna Clientele : tourists and japanese students Gender : dual sex but separated by floors Food : no food services Storage : lockers provided and ask reception to store large luggage Power outlet : one socket in capsule Language : reception usually speaks good english Extras : capsule has programmable light to power down/on in 30 minutes to simulate sunrise/sunset Pros : very futuristic space age look, great to take pics, capsule and hallway are completely dark for sleeping Cons : too sterile and ikea looking, no atmosphere or social areas, not a real capsule experience, time you 17hrs from when you check in, a bit difficult to find at first Recommend : yes, ok for one nite to take pics to say you stayed at a capsule Here are videos and tv reports posted on youtube. youtube : news report 9 Hours Capsule Hotel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRT4dU6r -KQ youtube : 9 Hours Capsule Hotel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvE3kdFf MLU Kyoto 9 Hours - Sleeping Pods Kyoto 9 Hours - Inside Sleeping Pod Kyoto 9 Hours - Sleepwear and Toiletries Kyoto 9 Hours - Changing Room & Showers ------------------------------ Osaka - Maruichi
http://www.mar uichi-hotel.com/room.html (scroll down for japanese room, 3rd green tab has bathrooms) Style : Japanese room Location : close to osaka and umeda stations, exit M14 to the large underground shopping mall. have to ask for directions when you first arrive. Osaka circle line, airport line,
kyoto/kobe/nara lines all stop here Nightlife : somewhat of a nightlife area but didnt explore much Room : sliding doors and floor bed, flat screen tv with 10 japanese channels Clothing : kimono and slippers provided Bathing : communal showers and hot tub, no sauna Clientele : families, business travellers, tourists Gender : both sexes Food : self serve western breakfast Storage : small entrance with sliding doors seperates room to store luggage and leave shoes Power outlet : outlets in room Language : reception usually speaks good english Extras : pay per view porn Pros : good location, breakfast included, quiet Cons : bathing room is separated by genders at different hours so be sure to check schedule Recommend : yes, I'll stay again if I get good rates Osaka Maruichi Hotel - Entrance Area Osaka Maruichi Hotel - Floor Bed & Kimono Osaka Maruichi Hotel - Sliding Doors Osaka Maruichi Hotel - Pay Per View Porn Osaka Maruichi Hotel - TV Game Show Osaka Maruichi Hotel - Communal Washing Osaka Maruichi Hotel - Communal Showers & Tub -------------------- Overall best hotel - Tokyo Shinjuku capsule as if you hadnt guessed already! ORIGINAL ENTRY WITH ALL PICS IS HERE Read more: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-e ntries/londone7/1/1299069609/tpod.html# ixzz1ch3KxXuf