Calendar Hotel
A well-located and clean capsule hotel offering good value, particularly suitable for budget-conscious travellers exploring Kyoto and Lake Biwa, provided they can overlook the firm bedding and limited luggage space.
The Calendar Hotel in Otsu offers a modern and cozy capsule experience, conveniently located directly above Otsu station, providing excellent access to Kyoto and Lake Biwa. Guests sleep in enclosed capsules, which are generally well-regarded for privacy, though some find the beds and pillows to be uncomfortably hard or thin. The property maintains high standards of cleanliness across its capsules and shared bathrooms, with ample amenities provided, including toiletries and towels. While the staff are consistently praised for their friendliness and helpfulness, luggage storage can be a challenge, with small lockers and communal areas for larger suitcases. The hotel also features a restaurant and a collection of manga, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.
Despite some minor drawbacks regarding pod comfort and luggage solutions, the Calendar Hotel is frequently cited for its great value, offering a budget-friendly option with numerous complimentary items. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring the region, particularly for those looking to visit Kyoto without staying directly in the city. The overall experience is positive, making it a reliable choice for short stays.
♀ One review mentions taking a suitcase to the 'women's area' when needing to access clothes, suggesting a dedicated female section.
Stations & airport.
Distances measured from the hotel. Walking times assume a gentle pace with a backpack.
- Ōtsu79 m1 min walk
- Shimanoseki796 m10 min walk
- Biwako-hamaotsu883 m11 min walk
Eleven dimensions of capsule life, read from 754 reviews.
Noise & sleep
One guest found the light control panel buzzed, disturbing sleep, while another described the property as quiet.
“The light control panel started buzzing in the middle of the night, not loudly, but it's impossible to sleep if you're sensitive to sounds.”
“Quiet and comfortable.”
Pod comfort
Guests frequently complain about uncomfortable beds and pillows, describing them as hard, thin, or like bean bags. One guest also noted the capsule could get hot.
“The pillows are not your regular pillows. Feels more like a bean bag...interesting.”
“The bed was quite uncomfortable. I often sleep in hostels and capsule hotels, but I think here it was less comfortable than most other places I've been to.”
“The pillows was NOT comfortable”
Privacy
Guests generally found the capsules nice and comfortable, providing a good capsule experience.
“Very nice capsule, comfortable and with a TV.”
“Separate capsules from bathroom”
“Great capsule experience”
Cleanliness
The property receives consistent praise for its cleanliness, with guests frequently mentioning clean capsules, bathrooms, and well-maintained facilities.
“clean”
“Clean and fancy”
“It's comfortable, clean and located just right above starbucks and Otsu station.”
Shared bathrooms
Bathrooms are consistently reported as clean and well-maintained, with ample amenities provided including towels, toiletries, and even good hairdryers. One minor issue was a reported smoke odor in the bathroom, possibly due to a shared air system.
“The staff is helpful, the capsules and bathrooms are clean, also if you can read Japanese, there is a ton of manga to read for free.”
“The facilities inside are clean and well maintained. It also offer adequate bathroom amenities, towels and care items in public areas. Furthermore, the hairdryers surprisingly work well.”
“The bathroom sometimes has smoke odor, even though the rooms are non-smoking. It’s probably because the air system is shared with the smoking area.”
Luggage storage
Luggage storage is a significant drawback. Lockers are consistently described as too small, often unable to fit even a backpack or winter jacket. Larger suitcases must be stored in a communal room, sometimes with a chain and lock provided, which some guests found uncomfortable or worrying.
“There aren't any lockers for your luggage. You can keep your backpack in their small lockers but that's it. For your luggage they give you a lock and a chain. It is safe there, don't get me wrong, but non the less I was constantly worried about my luggage.”
“Locker is way too small.”
“There is lots of space for luggage and also manga to read.”
Staff & check-in
Staff are consistently praised for being friendly, helpful, and kind, even accommodating requests like changing beds. One guest noted a potential need for more reception staff, as one person seemed to handle multiple roles.
“friendly staff”
“The staff is helpful”
“Very friendly staff”
Location & access
The hotel boasts an excellent and highly convenient location, situated directly above Otsu station with easy access to Kyoto (10 minutes by train) and Lake Biwa. A supermarket is also nearby.
“Very convenient location”
“It's comfortable, clean and located just right above starbucks and Otsu station.”
“Loved being so close to a beautiful lake and also super easy access to Kyoto.”
Wifi & working
One review mentioned poor internet wifi.
“Poor internet wifi, maintenance”
Atmosphere
The hotel is described as having a nice, fancy, modern, and cozy atmosphere, with amenities like a restaurant and a large collection of manga available for reading. Guests consider it one of the best hostels they've stayed in.
“Clean and fancy”
“They even have a lot of mangas for you to read, if you can read Japanese.”
“The facilities were amazing. The best hostel I've been in.”
Value for money
Guests generally find the Calendar Hotel to offer great value for money, often being one of the cheapest options in Japan while providing numerous free amenities like toiletries and sometimes free drinks or breakfast. The optional breakfast cost is considered reasonable by some.
“Convenient & cheap, just outside Kyoto”
“This was the cheapest hostel I stayed in all Japan so far with the most free items.”
“Got a free drink voucher for not wanting my capsule cleaned during my two night stay.”
The honest drawbacks, from guests.
- uncomfortable beds and pillows
- small lockers for luggage
- communal luggage storage for large suitcases
- potential for noise from light control panel
- poor internet wifi
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