新宿ニッカホテル
A functional, no-frills option for budget-conscious travellers prioritising an unbeatable Shinjuku location, but be prepared for a basic capsule experience with potential comfort and service limitations.
The Shinjuku Nikka Hotel offers a budget-friendly stay in the heart of Tokyo, providing open bunk-style capsules with personal lights and charging facilities. While the location is a significant draw, placing guests steps away from Shinjuku station, nightlife, and dining, the sleeping experience can be mixed. Guests frequently note issues with ventilation, leading to warm and stuffy pods, and mattresses are described as thin. Shared bathrooms are generally clean and well-equipped, though upkeep can vary depending on other guests. The property is not designed for social interaction, with minimal common areas and an often-unattended front desk. Luggage storage is available, but personal locker space is limited.
This hostel is best suited for solo budget travellers prioritising location and affordability over extensive amenities or a social atmosphere. It provides a functional base for exploring Shinjuku and beyond, despite some comfort and service inconsistencies. The self-check-in process offers flexibility for late arrivals or early departures.
Stations & airport.
Distances measured from the hotel. Walking times assume a gentle pace with a backpack.
- Station169 m2 min walk
- Shinjuku-nishiguchi219 m3 min walk
- Station283 m4 min walk
Eleven dimensions of capsule life, read from 583 reviews.
Noise & sleep
Noise levels are mixed; some guests found the hotel surprisingly quiet for a capsule property, even in large dorms. However, others reported issues with noisy roommates, external street noise from trash collection, and sounds from the pod door mechanisms.
“noisy roommates”
“Also, how quiet the place was for a fully booked capsule hotel.”
“Even though I stayed in a 25-bed room, it was surprisingly calm, and I never felt disturbed. The facilities are excellent.”
Pod comfort
Guests frequently report that the pods can be too hot and stuffy, lacking proper ventilation or fans. Mattresses are described as thin, and some find the capsules too small, especially for taller individuals.
“Room was hot, noisy roommates”
“its too hot at night when sleeping”
“Mattress was as thin as a pigeons feather. Smelt a bit strange throughout the night, like a can of gouda cheese.”
Privacy
The capsules offer personal light and charging facilities, contributing to a sense of individual space. While not explicitly detailed, the lack of significant privacy complaints suggests an adequate level for a capsule hotel.
“The capsule is large and provides your own personal light and charging facilities.”
“I never felt disturbed.”
Cleanliness
Initial cleanliness is generally praised, with clean sheets and well-equipped bathrooms. However, some guests noted a decline in cleanliness during their stay, particularly in shared bathrooms, due to other guests' habits and a perceived lack of staff presence for upkeep.
“Clean sheets.”
“at the beginning bathrooms were clean but then trash cans started getting full and paper was all over the floor. also, other guests really do not care about leaving the sink in a disgusting state :/ but nobody in the hostel cleaned it soooooo….”
“The shared bathrooms were always clean and was a fairly large space that allowed everyone to be comfortable.”
Shared bathrooms
The shared bathrooms and shower rooms are consistently praised for being clean, comfortable, and well-equipped with toiletries. Daily fresh towels are provided, and some guests appreciated the availability of private shower rooms.
“The shared bathrooms were always clean and was a fairly large space that allowed everyone to be comfortable.”
“comfortable shower rooms”
“Toilets/showers were excellent.”
Luggage storage
The property offers baggage storage before check-in and after check-out. However, locker space is described as small, leading to suitcases being left in common areas, and some guests noted that the luggage racks are not lockable.
“It is a mixed dormitory hostel that provided small locker space so people's suitcases were everywhere .”
“could leave my baggage before check in and after check out”
“Luggage rack is not locked”
Staff & check-in
Staff service is inconsistent; some guests found staff friendly and helpful, particularly the cleaning staff, and one reviewer highlighted exceptional assistance with a lost item. However, others reported staff being frequently absent or unhelpful, with a lack of front desk presence and reliance on self-check-in.
“Friendly staff.”
“staff was almost never available and when they were they weren’t really helpful”
“staff not always present.”
Location & access
The hotel's location in Shinjuku is overwhelmingly praised as excellent and central, being extremely close to Shinjuku station, 7-Eleven stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, and major attractions. It is considered ideal for those seeking lively nights and easy access to the city.
“Location, facilities”
“Location and value.”
“good location”
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is described as not very social, with guests feeling unable to speak freely and a general lack of interaction. The property is compact with very little common space, which contributes to a less social environment.
“Did not like that I felt that I could not speak, no one said good morning or told you if you dropped something.”
“Not very social if that's what you're looking for, staff not always present.”
“No much common area.”
Value for money
Guests consistently rate the property as good value for money, especially considering its central Tokyo location and competitive pricing. It's seen as a cheap and comfortable option.
“Location and value.”
“good value for money, cheap for tokyo. comfy and great location”
“good value for money.”
The honest drawbacks, from guests.
- pods can be hot and stuffy
- thin mattresses
- limited social atmosphere
- inconsistent staff presence
- small locker space
9h nine hours woman Kanda
This property is best suited for solo female travellers seeking a clean, well-located, and budget-friendly base for short stays in Tokyo, provided they are prepared for the inherent limitations of capsule accommodation and the specific operational policies.
Hotel PRELE
A suitable option for budget-conscious solo travellers seeking a clean and well-located base, provided they are prepared for basic pod comfort and potential noise.
Men Only Capsule Room & Sauna, Bathhouse, gim 男性専用サウナ&カプセル Minami Gakugeidai
This property is a good option for male travellers prioritising gym and onsen access over capsule comfort and quiet, offering a traditional, non-touristy Japanese experience at a budget price.