Capsule Hotels

A capsule hotel is a simple deal. You get a private sleeping pod, a locker and access to shared bathrooms. MyCUBE follows that format closely.

Pods are compact and uniform, with a mattress, a reading light and a power point. Showers, toilets and lounge space are shared. Quiet hours are taken seriously.

Tottori is a small prefectural capital on the Sea of Japan coast, best known for its large coastal sand dunes. A low-cost bed in town makes a practical base for a day out there.

One hour to shower. Seven to sleep. One to get ready. The brand is named after that routine.

Design does the heavy lifting. Capsules are pale and minimal, lit with soft, adjustable light, and the washrooms follow the same strict, spare look. Signage is kept to a minimum, and everything has a set place.

Shizuoka is a tea-growing city on the Tōkaidō rail line. On a clear day, Mount Fuji is visible from parts of town. It suits a one-night stop on a longer route.

This one is not a capsule hotel. It is a compact hotel with private rooms, and it earns its place here through planning.

Each room is built around a wide bed that runs wall to wall beneath the window. The shower and toilet sit in freestanding pods. Lights, blinds and temperature are controlled from a single tablet.

Check-in is self-service. Downstairs, the ground floor works as a shared living room, with a bar, work tables and designer furniture.