In the centre of Kyoto is the most amazing capsule hotel you’ll find in Japan.
In this article:
With an interior that looks like something out of Star Wars, positioned right next to the famous geisha district of Gion, this Japanese capsule hotel is a sleeping hub like no other… and it’s only 4,600円 (about AUD$50) a night.
This article is a detailed look inside 9hours – the designer/minimalist capsule hotel which opened in December 2009. Unlike most other capsule hotels, this one allows women – and out of all the capsule hotels that do allow women, this is probably the only one they would want to visit.
From a sign in the lobby of the hotel…
9hours offers a refreshing innovative service concept focusing on the “value of time” in an urban area. It attempts to break down the well known, the traditional notion of hotel service and stay. We attempt to introduce a functional accommodation experience in an unprecedented manner for those who seek practicality and special aspects in a hotel stay. You can stay here for a maximum of 17 hours. You can check in anytime.
Kyoto map, even information, Kyoto city one-day bus pass, JTB Tour applications, internet and even free lending of an umbrella!
Photos of 9 Hours Capsule Hotel, Kyoto
All surfaces are sleek. All signs are part of the walls and floors. Minimal icons are used to guide you around the hotel. A simple colour scheme of white, black and silver serves to enhance the uniqueness and uncomplicated functionality of the hotel.
Most signs in Japanese hotels will be in English and Japanese.
After checking in you’ll probably head straight to the locker and shower area. Men’s and women’s locker and shower areas are on separate floors.
There is a public bath and private shower cubicles. Just like every other Japanese capsule hotel, you’ll find razors, combs, toothbrushes and hairdryers.
The locker is a decent size, large enough to fit a small suitcase or a large backpack.
9hours creates an experience with their brand. All the toiletries, and even coffee and bottled water, have been made especially for the hotel.
If you’re thinking you need to choose the best time to visit Japan for a comfortable stay in a capsule hotel, you need not worry with hotels like this. Even in the coldest winter and sweatiest summer, yukatas are all you need for comfort.
You know what a toilet looks like – but have you seen a control panel for a toilet like this one?
It’s even got a button to play a flushing sound to mask whatever you’re doing in there…
As well as the showers being on separate floors, capsule rooms for women are on different floors to the men. There are toilets and vending machines on every floor.
After going up the elevator and through the small, very plain room with only a vending machine and a toilet door, you enter the capsule room. There are about 20 – 25 capsules on each floor. If you’ve ever stayed at a hostel in London, you’ll know that it can be fun to hang around the 15 other people in the room – but in such a closed society like Japan, you get privacy literally by being encapsulated!
Locate your capsule and jump in! There is a sliding blind to give you privacy.
Inside the capsule is a very comfortable mattress, a pillow custom made for the hotel, and a control panel for lights and the alarm. Unlike other capsules, there is no TV inside – which I like, it only takes up room and distracts from relaxation.
You can use a normal alarm if you like, but the “Sleep Ambient System” has to be experienced. I’ll let 9hours tell you all about it – verbatim from the How to use the “Sleep Ambient System” printout inside the card left at the foot of your bed:
The “Sleep Ambient System” is designed to help you sleep better. Setup your wake up time and start the system. The lighting in the capsule dims gradually to make falling asleep easier. The next morning as your wake up time approaches, the lighting slowly becomes brighter to help you wake up comfortably.
It was a very cool way to go to sleep/wake up. When you start the sleep system, the lights slowly fade over about 15 minutes. It does the reverse to wake you up in the morning. I woke up with such a strange feeling, maybe it was my dream but I thought for a moment I was sleeping outside …
True to the nature of the interior, the exterior of the building is very simple.
The really convenient thing is that you can check in at anytime and start your 9hours. I first stayed at 9hours during a sweltering few days in August during my summer holiday travelling Japan. I checked in around 8PM and checked out before dawn to walk along the Kamo River.
I’d recommend staying here when you’re travelling solo or in small groups.
How to Book Accommodation at 9hours Capsule Hotel
The 9hours.jp website is bilingual and you can make a booking directly through their online reservation system. Payment is made upon arrival.
How to Get to 9hours Capsule Hotel
9hours is located in Teramachi, on the west side of the Kamo River across from Gion. There are a few train stations nearby and buses run frequently through the area. The closest station is Kawaramachi Station, here are directions to get there:
- Train from Kyoto Station: Take the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line for 3 minutes, getting off at Shijo Station. From there find the Hankyu Kyoto Line at Karasuma Station, heading to Kawaramachi Station which is just 2 minutes away.
- Bus from Kyoto Station: I’m a big advocate of the 500円 all-day Kyoto City Bus Pass – but when I stayed at 9hours, I took the train there and walked all the next day. If you want to take the bus, the easiest way is to ask the staff at the information center inside Kyoto station. From memory, I know the 203 bus goes along Shijo Dori – just get off at Kawaramachi Station.
Walking to 9hours Capsule Hotel from Kawaramachi Station
After getting off the train, take any of the western exits up to the street. There is a main road called Shijo Dori – you want to get yourself on the sidewalk on the south side of this road. You’ll see a MOS Burger and a McDonalds along here.
Walk west along this road, past the MOS and McDonalds. After McDonalds, turn left at the lights – you’ll be walking down a one-way street against traffic. After 100 metres you’ll see a Family Mart convenience store – 9hours is next to that!
Things to do in Kyoto
With the bus and train so close, 9hours is a great place to see the amazing and almost ancient treasure of Kyoto. Be sure to see these places on your next visit:
- The Golden Pavilion – Kinkakuji – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Kyoto’s Castle – Nijojo – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Fushimi Inari – mountain shrine with thousands of red gates – UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Kyoto Imperial Palace – National Heritage Site.
Next time you visit the Kyoto area, spend a night at 9hours and let me know how you like it!
Traveler’s tips
- The hotel is very close – only about 2 small blocks – from Kawaramachi station. If you’ve arrived at JR Kyoto station and are visiting Kyoto and spending the day seeing the sites before checking in to 9 hours, buy a 500 yen all-day bus pass. Catch the bus from JR Kyoto station to Kawaramachi station. Leave your bags at a locker at the station.
- Toiletries are unnecessary! When staying here, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste and body soap are provided
It looks very clean and efficient like most things in Japan and I think that every traveler to Japan should stay in a capsule hotels at least once for the experience. I’ve stayed at quite a few that had really cool entertainment rooms with TVs and great sento for relaxing.
Great articles, really like the site. Great detail & travel ideas!
Nice!I should also try to sleep there even w/o someone beside me 😀
I clicked on the 9hour website to reserve, but it’s only spewing Japanese to me. Any other Otptions you don’t mind helping me out with? Please and thank you.