If, like me, you love to discover new hotels that offer very different kinds of experiences, you have probably thought about trying out a Japanese capsule hotel. I thought about it for a few years before I plucked up the courage to give it a try. I was going to Japan for work, but found much more.
The First Cabin is more like a European hostel than a real hotel. The living spaces are shared. Each “capsule” has only a mattress and a TV. There is no door separating you from other capsules on your floor. There is a shared bathrooms and bathing areas. It’s basically an exercise in how to cram as many people into as small a place as possible. Very overweight Americans should definitely avoid this place. Although it is a great location to meet friendly travelers. Food is provided in the dining area. Since the living area is small, you’ll spend most of your time out of the hotel exploring the amazing city of Akihabara.
The city of Akihabara, known as electric city is definitely a place you can get lost in exploring. The nightlife, simply just walking around the city in the evening, is dazzling. The artistic nature of most shops makes you feel as though you’re going through a museum just traveling the streets. I saw a reconstituted “Starry, starry night,” made out of lettuce and egg yolks, where else can you get that?! Also, the Ramen is without parallel. This place really has all there is to offer.
But, to get to the bottom dollar, and that’s what we’re all looking for is how to save some money. The conversion of one American dollar to Japanese Yen is $1 to 111 yen. Basically, you can eat and see plenty of culture on a budget. And beyond that you can have a great vacation without going on a budget when you get home...(Laundry? Yes? Budget? No?). Though the plane ticket might seem a bit steep...trust me, it is worth it!