Capsule Hotel GLANSIT AKIHABARA — Hotel in Tokyo

Few Caveats for starters: Don’t think about checking in before 5pm. Just don’t. I tried at like 4:05 and had to go grab a bite at Sukiya next door to kill time. But rules are rules and they’re there for a reason. To prep each room for each guest. The staff actually recognize you and treat you as an individual. Eventually they remembered who I was and what capsule I was staying in. Can’t stress enough how nice and accommodating they are. Its summer and in the midst of a heatwave, so I was quite a bit hot despite the AC, so they gave me a fan to use in my capsule (usb powered).

Staff are great. Places is clean. Even gave me special slipper for my Size 15 feet to flop around in (still didn’t fit)

Rooms are clean. Bidet bathrooms. Air conditioned. Washer/dryer combo downstairs (5x100yen ~2hrs)

Located in the heart of Akiba‘ anime/ electronics area.

10min walk from the subway station, but you kinda go shopping along that road anyway. Just sucks in the summer cuz it’s so hot in this country.

Anyways, for a budget traveler and you’re just rolling with the boys it’s fine. Don’t plan on staying here as a couple. Cuz you’ll be separated the whole time. Only place for you to meet is the lobby.

It’s a decent place that doesn’t skimp on the amenities. Free body wash, shampoo, conditioner to use in the showers.

Now onto the shower part.. If you’re in Japan and plan on going to an onset at some point. You might as well get the shyness outta the way. High school football showers... that’s all it is. Everyone else’s dingies are hanging out and so are yours, big deal. Ain’t nobody gonna be starin at it anyway. The onsen down there is a nice touch, it’s clean too. They shut it down everyday between 10am-12pm to clean. Tells you how much they like to maintain good upkeep on the place. If you can’t get over showering in front of others, just bring a small towel in with ya and cover ur junk.

Also downstairs in the shower floor is a room for smokers, and another room for general hangin about. There’s free coffee, and various hot/cold teas. I like the first two from the top, bottom two were kinda cold. Options all the way at the bottom are hot/cold drinking water. I fill my water bottle before I leave there by taking out the cup holder (you’ll understand when you go there)

Capsules were big enough to fit even my 6’5 270lb frame. They have a 110v wall outlet and a 2a 5V usb jack in the wall for your charging needs.

Lockers for your luggage are big enough for your typical large suitcases, but I’m sure you can leave it downstairs in the lobby no problem.

Directly next door is a Sukiya that’s open 24hours for your late night munchies. Delicious pork / eel rice bowls on the cheap too! Also up the big road? I recommend Hidakaya - near the Family Mart. They have the BEST FRIED RICE I’ve ever had. Went there 3 nights in a row to satisfy my craving for it. gyoza is good too. They’re open til 3:30am too’! But be wary, you’re allowed to smoke in there.

TL:DR... Overall, I had a pleasant experience there. The staff are well accommodating, security is good. Capsules are clean! Fresh hand and body towels + tooth brush every day. Free razors, combs, toothbrushes, gauze-like towels downstairs in the bath area. Onsen to relax in... You can store luggage there if you arrive before check in. No check in til 5pm. It’s a good place. If given the opportunity to stay again, I’d stay again -only if I’m traveling without...

I would give it 2.5 Stars.

My fiancé and I stayed at this capsule hotel in April 2018 for 4 nights. The men and women’s floors were separate which we were ok with since we wanted to try a capsule and most are separate. However, other than the small entrance lobby there is no area that we were able to meet up. It would have been nice to have a common lounge.

The women’s floors were fairly clean except that the garbage bins in the bathroom were all very small and always full.

The women’s capsule floor has a locker room to lock a small suitcase and toilets with really tiny sinks and no mirrors (not to mention no soap or paper towels..........)

The main shower / sink area and lounge is on a separate floor. This made it quite annoying to get ready or shower. The hotel provides a mesh bag that included pyjamas and toiletries. I used this bag to put everything else that I needed but I kept forgetting items so I ended up just bringing my entire suitcase to avoid making multiple trips up and down the floors.

On top of that, there is only one elevator, so every time I had to go use the shower or lounge (or forgot something) I would have to wait 5-10 minutes for it. I saw a set of stairs but I believe they were marked as emergency exits so I didn’t try them.

Another FYI, the bathroom doesn’t have shower stalls, just an open shower / onsen area. So must be comfortable being nude in front of strangers... Unless you bring a swim suit?

The worst part of the entire experience would be the other guests that were staying there at the same time. The women would come in at all hours of the night and not be considerate enough to try and arrive quietly. The capsule itself doesn’t have a door, just a roll down blind with plastic anchors that guests would bang every time they opened or closed it.

As if that wasn’t enough, the guests would bring their suitcase to the foot of their capsule and organize their suitcases, in the middle of the night! I’m guessing it’s women with early morning flights. I understood the need to since the locker room is too narrow to have a suitcase open, however; I wish they would have taken the time to go to the upstairs lounge instead (which is what I did).

Between that, the loud blinds and the main door opening and closing, I barely got any sleep. So definitely beware if you’re a light sleeper. Or maybe the hotel could take this note and make the blinds quieter and remind guests to be more considerate.

My fiancé did not have a noise problem on the men’s side, I think it’s because he’s a heavier sleeper.

Overall, it’s a charming capsule hotel with a sweet spa like ambience and I would still recommend it for those who have never tried a capsule before and want the experience. I would recommend staying for one night only. Someone also mentioned that there is a similar capsule down the street with a better layout but I haven’t bothered...

My fiancé and I stayed at this capsule hotel in April 2018 for 4 nights. The men and women’s floors were separate which we were ok with since we wanted to try a capsule and most are separate. However, other than the small entrance lobby there is no area that we were able to meet up. It would have been nice to have a common lounge. ||The women’s floors were fairly clean except that the garbage bins in the bathroom were all very small and always full. ||The women’s capsule floor has a locker room to lock a small suit case and toilets with really tiny sinks and no mirrors (not to mention no soap or paper towels..........)||The main shower / sink area and lounge is on a separate floor. This made it quite annoying to get ready or shower. The hotel provides a mesh bag that included pyjamas and toiletries. I used this bag to put everything else that I needed but I kept forgetting items so I ended up bringing my entire suitcase to avoid making multiple trips up and down the floors. ||On top of that, there is only one elevator, so every time I had to go use the shower or lounge (or if I forgot something) I would have to wait 5-10 minutes for it. I saw a set of stairs but I believe they were marked as emergency exits so I didn’t try them. ||Another FYI, the bathroom doesn’t have shower stalls, just an open shower / onsen area. So must be comfortable being nude in front of strangers... Unless you bring a swim suit?||The worst part of the entire experience would be the other guests that were staying there at the same time. The women would come in at all hours of the night and not be considerate enough to try and arrive quietly. The capsule itself doesn’t have a door, just a roll down blind with plastic anchors that guests would bang every time they opened or closed it. ||As if that wasn’t enough, the guests would bring their suitcase to the foot of their capsule and organize their suitcases, in the middle of the night! I’m guessing it’s women with early morning flights. I understood the need to since the locker room is too narrow to have a suitcase open, however; I wish they would have taken the time to go to the upstairs lounge instead (which is what I did). ||Between that, the blinds and the main door opening and closing, I barely got any sleep. So definitely beware if you’re a light sleeper. Or maybe the hotel could take this note and make the blinds quieter and remind guests to be more considerate. ||My fiancé did not have a noise problem on the men’s side, I think it’s because he’s a heavier sleeper. ||Overall, it’s a charming capsule hotel with a sweet spa like ambience and I would still recommend it for those who have never tried a capsule before and want the experience. I would recommend staying for one night only. Someone also mentioned that there is a similar capsule down the street with a better layout but I haven’t bothered...