Check Prices for Stays in Tokyo (Expedia)
We’ve been to Japan several times but have never experienced a capsule hotel yet. While we were in Tokyo, we were looking for an affordable overnight stay in a relatively luxury capsule, and our searches yielded the Glansit Akihabara. Located right in the heart of Akihabara, off onto one side street, the hotel offers a premium capsule experience, at an affordable price. Who would’ve thought that capsule hotels were relatively expensive (at least compared to other value full hotel stays like an APA)?
Overview, First Impressions
We had paid ahead of time using the Agoda booking platform and paid roughly 3800 yen per person. The price was quite reasonable, especially as we were here in the middle of August, during the Bon Odori Festival.
Check-in time is strict, and there was no offer of an early check-in. Check-in times are later than normal (I suppose to allow for quick pod cleaning between guests) at 5.00PM. We were disappointed that we’d have to wait an extra hour or so, but when you’re in Tokyo, you can find a place to kill an hour on practically every block.
The check-in area includes the basic toiletries available: cleaning kits, earplugs, nose strips, and earbuds as well. It’s very basic but par for the course of a typical pod hotel. It’s important to note that they do not provide eyemasks, so would highly recommend bringing that to sleep.
Check-in staff were friendly but didn’t speak altogether that much English, so rough translations were required here and there.
Shoes are required to be taken off at the lobby before taking the one elevator up to the rooms. Luggage is stored relatively out in the open here in the lobby as well.
Book Glansit Akihabara through Agoda here
Location
Glansit Akihabara is nestled in a side street off of the main 437 road, and a very quick 3-minute walk away from Suehirocho and Akihabara train stations. It’s slightly in the farther north part of Akihabara, placing you closer to Ueno, making it about a 15-minute walk there (highly recommended to check that out if you’re staying in Akihabara).
Room, Cleanliness
Upon getting your key card bracelet, and changing into your slippers, you’d take the elevator up to your floor. Men and women are separated, and women stay on the topmost floor. Each gender has its own lounge on separate floors. I’ll emphasize here again that there’s only one elevator, so wait times can be very long, and you may be greeted with a full elevator if you’re staying on the middle floors.
Once you arrive at your floor, you’ll find the storage on the right side, and all pods in the main hallway.
I found the pods to be very clean, and pretty spacious. As a mild sufferer of claustrophobia, I was a little worried about the whole capsule experience, but these pods are definitely spacious enough to not trigger that.
Light controls and TV volume panels are located by the headrest area. There’s a little storage spot for your phone, wallet, etc. right below the TV, which can swing around to fit your desired angle of viewing.
Perhaps I was just lucky, but I had not really heard a peep from a single one of my neighbours the whole stay. I would still recommend wearing earplugs regardless.
Book Glansit Akihabara through Agoda here
Storage, Washrooms
The storage lockers were narrow, and would likely only fit a backpack comfortably. A carry-on hardshell luggage may also be possible, but a tighter fit. Full-size luggage must be left on the lobby floor with the staff.
Your key bracelet will unlock your designated locker, which will auto-close when you shut it (please don’t toss your key in the closet).
In terms of cleanliness, it was quite clean, until I noticed the appearance of mould on the ceiling of the storage area.
The washroom area was clean but very cramped. I’m about 5’11”, and 185 lbs, and I found myself feeling crammed into the stall here.
Lounge
For the men, the lounge was on the bottom-most floor and provided a drink machine (free-to-use), and water and tea dispensers as well. A plethora of magazines were available on the side if I could read any Japanese. A microwave is available as well if you need to heat up any meal you pick up from a nearby konbini.
Bath/Shower Room
Despite my unimpressed face below, I was actually quite happy with the shower area. Very well-ventilated, clean. There are 2 washing machines here that are coin-operated – these were highly popular and constantly in use during my 1-night stay. There are 3 sink areas available, all relatively nicely spaced out.
The shower area was also spacious and clean, with the bath being the only slight disappointment as the temperatures were warm at best. Not the scalding onsen-like bath water I was expecting.
Overall Recommendation
Glansit is worth booking if you’re looking for a luxury boutique capsule hotel experience at a relatively low cost. I would primarily recommend it for solo travellers, however, or perhaps groups of travellers of the same gender. Coming here with my wife wasn’t great, as we were separated the entire time, except for the lobby. With the small exceptions of the storage area ceiling, and the elevator wait times being quite long, Glansit Akihabara was a very clean and comfortable stay, and one I’d recommend!
Book Glansit Akihabara through Agoda here
Thanks for Reading!
My name is Alex Lau, and I’m a travel blogger and photographer. I’ve worked in the automotive digital marketing business for 6+ years before I decided to uproot and explore this little blue marble we find ourselves on, meeting new people, telling their stories, and discovering new places.
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