Japan Station

Japan Transportation Guide

  • Home
  • Shinkansen network
  • Destinations
  • Maps
  • News
  • Japan Rail Pass Value Calculator

First Cabin Luxury Capsule Hotels Coming to JR West Stations

January 18, 2017

Capsule hotels are one of Japan’s most famous inventions. These basic lodgings packed with tiny sleeping pods are very popular both with single travelers on a budget, and also with long-distance commuters who party too late and miss their last train. For foreign visitors too, staying in a capsule hotel is one of those unique experiences you simply must try when in Japan.

Stacked capsules in Akihabara. Image by Peter Van den Bossche

Stacked capsules in Akihabara. Image by Peter Van den Bossche

The world’s first capsule hotel opened in Osaka in 1979 and up until recently the basic design of a capsule hadn’t really changed since then. Sleeping pods are stacked one on top of the other and sleepers gain access to upper levels with a ladder. Crawling inside you find enough space for a bed, a TV screen, and that’s about it. Washing facilities and toilets are shared.

Your nest for the night: a pod at Narita Airport. Image by Viola Parker

Your nest for the night: a pod at Narita Airport. Image by Viola Parker

Recently however, a company called First Cabin has been challenging all our assumptions by opening a novel type of “luxury” capsule hotel in locations around Japan. Their compact quality cabins are inspired by the first class seating on airplanes and feature larger beds, more stylish interiors, and sometimes even tables.

First Cabin have already overturned our preconceptions about capsule hotels with their elegant and spacious cabin interiors. Image from First Cabin

First Cabin have already overturned our preconceptions about capsule hotels with their elegant and spacious cabin interiors. Image from First Cabin

JR West are now entering into this quality capsule hotel business in a joint venture with the First Cabin company. JR West already operate two hotel subsidiaries nationwide: the Granvia luxury hotel chain and Via Inn business hotels. Now JR West and First Cabin are combining their expertise to launch a new brand of high quality capsule hotels at railway stations across the Kansai region.

This new initiative has been spurred on both by JR West’s desire to diversify their business interests, and First Cabin’s plan to open 100 hotels by 2022. It is hoped the new hotels will help to satisfy a growing need for accommodation among both domestic and overseas travelers. The new business will be able to capitalize on JR West’s extensive network and resources, and First Cabin’s specialized know-how to open new hotels at an accelerated rate in the Kansai area. The first hotel will open this month and the plan is to open a total of three hotels this year making use of currently empty station space to build the new facilities. The new hotels will retain the “first class” touches of First Cabin’s previous capsules while adding a touch of railroad atmosphere. The two companies clearly take the project seriously having invested 90 million yen to get it started with JR West contributing 51% and First Cabin contributing 49%.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.

Questions? Ask on our forum

Japan Station NavigationJapan Station Navigation
Station Navigation
  • Shinkansen high-speed trains
  • The Japan Rail Pass
  • Japan Rail Pass Value Calculator
  • Destinations
  • Narita Express
  • IC Prepaid Transport Cards
  • Car Rental in Japan
  • Air Travel in Japan
  • Guide to Rail Travel in Japan
Guide to Rail Travel in Japan by JapanStation.com

Japan Hotel
Deals of the Day

Loading search box ...
Japan Station Hotel

Book Online

  •   Flights to Japan
  •   Hotels in Japan
  •   Car Rental
  •   Tours & Activities in Japan
  •   Sapporo Station
  •   Shinjuku Station
  •   Kyoto Station
  •   Kobe Station
  •   Kanazawa Station
  •   Osaka Station
  •   Hakata Station
  •   Asakusa Station
  •   Shinagawa Station
  •   Shibuya Station
  •   Nara Station
  •   Nagoya Station
  •   Niseko Station

Japan Station on Facebook

Japan Station on Facebook

Japan Station on Instagram

Kintetsu Railway’s Limited Express ‘Shimakaze’ celebrated its 10th anniversary on March 21, 2023.
.
.
.
#kintetsu #japan #japanstation #railway #train #shimakaze #railways_of_our_world #train_nerds #trainstagram #trainspotting #visitjapan #japantravel #instatravel
Hankyu Railway train in its signature maroon color Hankyu Railway train in its signature maroon color peeking through sakura trees.

Hankyu Railway connects Kyoto, Arashiyama, Osaka, Kobe, snd Takarazuka.
.
.
.
Photo by Digital Love/pixta
#japan #japanstation #train #sakura #hankyurailway #railway #railways_of_our_world #trainspotter #trainspotting #japantravel #visitjapan #maroon
Hokuriku Shinkansen E7 series train at Nagano Shin Hokuriku Shinkansen E7 series train at Nagano Shinkansen train depot.
.
.
.
Photo by BISMARCK T./pixta
#shinkansen #train #japan #japanstation #visitjapan #japantravel #japantravelphoto #instatravel #instagood #railway #railways_of_our_world #train_nerds #trainstagram #trainspotting
The Sagano Romantic Train is a delightful sightsee The Sagano Romantic Train is a delightful sightseeing train run by Sagano Scenic Railway in the Saga-Arashiyama area of western Kyoto.
.
.
.
#japan #japanstation #kyoto #arashiyama #sagaarashiyama #saganoromantictrain #train #railway #train_nerds #trainstagram #trainspotting #railways_of_our_world #railways_of_japan #japantravel #visitjapan @visitjapanjp @visitjapanca @visitjapan.us
The newest Hiei train on the Eizan Electric Railwa The newest Hiei train on the Eizan Electric Railway line for Kibune, Kurama & Mount Hiei in Kyoto.
.
.
.
#kyoto #japan #japanstation #train #eizanrailway #kyototravel #railway #railways_of_our_world #trainstagram #train_nerds #trainphotography #visitjapan #japantravel #ig_japan
Tsubasa high-speed Shinkansen train runs on the Ya Tsubasa high-speed Shinkansen train runs on the Yamagata Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shinjo in Yamagata prefecture.
.
.
.
.
Photo by masatoshi/pixta 
#japan #japanstation #shinkansen #train #railway #railways_of_our_world #trainstation #trainstagram #train_nerds #traveljapan #visitjapan #yamagata #yamagatashinkansen

About Us

  • Japan Station on Facebook
  • Japan Station on Twitter
  • Japan Station on Instagram
  • Japan Station on Pinterest
  • Japan Station Forum

Copyright © 2023 · Japan Station. Netmobius publication. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact