First Cabin Midosuji Namba — Hotel in Osaka

Stayed here 4D/3N||Overall they have a pretty organized system in place and it doesn't overly restrictive. I'd definitely recommend spending a little more for the larger cabin because you could at least lay out your carry-on (not sure if this location even has the smaller rooms though).||Cabin: Ladies cabins we're split into 3 separate rooms so the noise level wasn't too bad but I'd still recommended using eat plugs (brought my own but they offer it). My cabin was at the end of one of the rooms/corridors which was great because I'm a light sleeper so anywhere I can get less noise was great. The bed and pillows were super firm and to my liking. The sheet was thin but warm and has a good weight to them - I also prefer sleeping under heavy sheets. You also get a lockable pullout drawer (though mine felt a little flimsy) to act as a safety deposit. Anything else, the staff recommend checking it at the front for safe keeping. I did leave my carry-on in my cabin locked. You can also adjust the lights and set an alarm. The only issue I had with the cabins were that they were stuffy to the point I had a hard time sleeping. There's a fan switch but I don't think it made a difference.||Goodies: "Wears" - they provide you with jammies daily. A large and small towel that you can dump after use in the bathroom. Toothbrush and paste replaced daily. Three clothes hangers, a towel hanger, a humidifier (what?!) slippers, and a Handy phone with unlimited data to get you started in the city. Housekeeping is daily but you can hang a sign to decline at which when you return, you'll receive a care package of new wears, towels, toothbrush, slippers and a trash bag which was very considerate! On my second night, this lady was talking loudly on her phone... someone didn't read the rules.... Luckily I wasn't near her cabin.||There's a lounge room for folks to chat if needed as well as manga to be read it you're interested. There are also vending machines throughout the floor and a freebie shelf with extra pillows if you're lucky.||Bathroom: There's a bathroom with 3 toilet stalls, 3 sinks with hair tools (dryer, iron) + 1 outside the bathroom stalls and 1 more seat in front of the mirrors for ladies to get ready in the morning. In a addition, there's makeup removing oil, face wash, emulsion and face cream available. There's also cotton pads, cups for rinsing, and some other things available. That's located on about the same level as the ladies cabins.||The shower room, hot bath (spa) and sauna are located on the 3rd floor which is accessible via stairs (~24 steps) from the ladies cabins. FYI the showers are Japanese style meaning it's opened with no private stalls. This was one of the big things I missed and dove right into it. Luckily I asked one of the ladies in the bathroom and she was nice enough to explain. For those unfamiliar, you take off your slippers at the door and store on a shelf. There will be cubbies with baskets where you'll store your clothes. Take off your clothes there, cover yourself with the large towel, walk into the shower room. There is about 5-6 shower stalls (with seats) as well as a standing shower towards the back in front of the sauna which I've been using as I'm not familiar with sitting while showering. In order to use the spa, you must shower first before hoping in. Back outside in the changing area, there's about 4 sinks + 1 seat for primping with similar equipment to the bathroom plus some extras like combs. There's also a water dispenser here as well as the laundry machine. There's also an additional toilet stall if needed available. ||Laundry: it costs 200 yen for a wash - detergent is automatically dispensed and the dryer is 100 yen per 30 mins. Would suggest drying for 60 mins for 200 yen. Note there's only one setting for both machines so you can't set the speed or temp.||Additional amenities I didn't partake in were the breakfast buffet for 800 yen, up to 30% off message, and a bunch of other stuff that's in...

I stayed for two evenings at the First Cabin Midosuji-Namba and overall had an excellent experience. Firstly, in terms of location this capsule-concept hotel is perfectly located. By taking the elevator downstairs and walking through an underground corridor for less than 5 minutes, you arrive at Namba subway station which is a centrally located station and connects to the Midosuji, Sen-Nichimae, and Yotsubashi lines (and will take you to the Shin-Osaka station for JR and Shinkansen within 15 minutes). This hotel is also located in the heart of Namba which is perfect for exploring Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Amerika Mura (cyberbunk neon lights, restaurants and nightlife galore).||This is a perfect place to stay if you're curious about trying the capsule experience but a little apprehensive about sleeping in a claustrophobic coffin. The "capsules" in this hotel are more like cabins, and come with all of the amenities of a hotel room but packed into a compact space. Your cube contains a bed (with a locking drawer underneath for storing valuables), a side table, a TV, some hooks/hangers and a convenient bar next to your bed that allows you to control the lights, air conditioning, alarm and television. There is enough space to stand up and to keep your suitcase in the room with you. Note that there are no doors but instead a sliding shade to give you privacy. This makes it such that the capsule is not soundproof. Although there is a no-noise policy in the capsule area, and people were very respectful of this, you could still hear guests walking by at all hours of the day/night, and if someone is snoring I imagine you would be able to hear it quite clearly especially if you're a light sleeper. This was one of my main negative points about this hotel. Although I had earplugs and my capsule was in a moderately low-traffic zone, I still awoke several times throughout the evening. If you're unlucky, you may get a capsule right near the entranceway from the lobby, meaning you'd hear a lot more foot traffic than I did (this would have greatly reduced my satisfaction with the stay). The other thing I didn't quite like is that there are not really any windows anywhere in the main areas other than the lobby and shower room which was a little disorienting at times.||The capsules, bathrooms, and showers in the hotel were gender-segregated. The showers were luxurious, large, and well-maintained. There was a large dressing room area with tatami floors, vanity mirrors, lockers, and every imaginable toiletry that you may have forgotten to bring with you (including hair straighteners!). The showers were Japanese style (open with stools to sit on), which may be uncomfortable for some foreigners who are not accustomed to showering around other people. Shampoo, conditioner and soap are provided, and there was also quite a large onsen for soaking, as well as a dry sauna. The showers along with the bathrooms were both spotless.||The service at this hotel was also excellent. The front desk staff all spoke English and were courteous and efficient. They helped me forward my luggage and provided me a restaurant suggestion which was highly appreciated.||I had breakfast included in my stay, which was buffet-style (both western and Japanese food), however I found that it was average at best and could be skipped (especially given the proximity of the hotel to so many great restaurants).||Overall, I would recommend staying at First Cabin Midosuji-Namba for an introduction to the capsule concept, for the convenient location, and for the excellent service. I would avoid staying here if you're an extremely...

I stayed for two evenings at the First Cabin Midosuji-Namba and overall had an excellent experience. Firstly, in terms of location this capsule-concept hotel is perfectly located. By taking the elevator downstairs and walking through an underground corridor for less than 5 minutes, you arrive at Namba subway station which is a centrally located station and connects to the Midosuji, Sen-Nichimae, and Yotsubashi lines (and will take you to the Shin-Osaka station for JR and Shinkansen within 15 minutes). This hotel is also located in the heart of Namba which is perfect for exploring Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Amerika Mura (cyberbunk neon lights, restaurants and nightlife galore). This is a perfect place to stay if you're curious about trying the capsule experience but a little apprehensive about sleeping in a claustrophobic coffin. The "capsules" in this hotel are more like cabins, and come with all of the amenities of a hotel room but packed into a compact space. Your cube contains a bed (with a locking drawer underneath for storing valuables), a side table, a TV, some hooks/hangers and a convenient bar next to your bed that allows you to control the lights, air conditioning, alarm and television. There is enough space to stand up and to keep your suitcase in the room with you. Note that there are no doors but instead a sliding shade to give you privacy. This makes it such that the capsule is not soundproof. Although there is a no-noise policy in the capsule area, and people were very respectful of this, you could still hear guests walking by at all hours of the day/night, and if someone is snoring I imagine you would be able to hear it quite clearly especially if you're a light sleeper. This was one of my main negative points about this hotel. Although I had earplugs and my capsule was in a moderately low-traffic zone, I still awoke several times throughout the evening. If you're unlucky, you may get a capsule right near the entranceway from the lobby, meaning you'd hear a lot more foot traffic than I did (this would have greatly reduced my satisfaction with the stay). The other thing I didn't quite like is that there are not really any windows anywhere in the main areas other than the lobby and shower room which was a little disorienting at times. The capsules, bathrooms, and showers in the hotel were gender-segregated. The showers were luxurious, large, and well-maintained. There was a large dressing room area with tatami floors, vanity mirrors, lockers, and every imaginable toiletry that you may have forgotten to bring with you (including hair straighteners!). The showers were Japanese style (open with stools to sit on), which may be uncomfortable for some foreigners who are not accustomed to showering around other people. Shampoo, conditioner and soap are provided, and there was also quite a large onsen for soaking, as well as a dry sauna. The showers along with the bathrooms were both spotless. The service at this hotel was also excellent. The front desk staff all spoke English and were courteous and efficient. They helped me forward my luggage and provided me a restaurant suggestion which was highly appreciated. I had breakfast included in my stay, which was buffet-style (both western and Japanese food), however I found that it was average at best and could be skipped (especially given the proximity of the hotel to so many great restaurants). Overall, I would recommend staying at First Cabin Midosuji-Namba for an introduction to the capsule concept, for the convenient location, and for the excellent service. I would avoid staying here if you're an extremely...