Nine hours Kyoto

Synonymous with Japanese design, this capsule hotel is sleek, minimal, and futuristic. The all-white color scheme creates a sci-fi feel with graphic signage through the building. In the lobby, a large plastic clock and 24-hour check-in desk reinforce the idea that this is a fast-paced hotel with a steady flow of guests. Accommodation can booked on an overnight or short nap basis, which is bound to attract an unusual mix of party-goers and business travelers. Behind the hotel name is the concept that guests need one hour to get ready for bed, seven hours to sleep, and one hour to shower. This ethos means that few visitors spend more than nine hours in the hotel, but treat their stay as a fun bucket-list experience. In fact, guests must check out in the morning, even if they plan on staying another night. The area is a great choice for travelers interested in temples, shrines, and Japanese culture, or those looking for fresh budget digs.

Located in downtown Kyoto, this futuristic capsule hotel is a five-minute walk from Kawaramachi Train Station. It’s central location means the hotel is perfect for exploring nearby temples and shrines. The Kyotodai Shrine is directly opposite the hotel. The breathtaking 17th-century Nijo Castle is a 14-minute drive away, with its beautiful gardens and examples of Japanese artwork. Souvenir shoppers might visit the Takashimaya department store that's a four-minute walk from the hotel. There is no restaurant or kitchen at 9 Hours so guests might find the nearby convenience store useful. Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple is 18-minute drive and Kodai-ji Temple is a 15-minute drive away. The hotel is at least 60 minutes from Osaka International Airport by car or train.

These minimalist capsules can hardly be described as rooms, and are more like private-ish tubes with privacy screens. What they lack in size, though, they just might make up for in efficiency, with sleek single-bed proportions and light-moderating alarm clocks. Pods are stacked side by side in long single-sex dorms with arrows along the floor indicating the number of each capsule. The communal layout of the rooms means that guests might be disturbed by noisy neighbors, and upper pods are accessed via external ladders that some travelers might find difficult. The hotel tries to keep things quiet by prohibiting cell phone conversations in the rooms. Each capsule has a standard white sheet, duvet, pillow, and slippers. Free Wi-Fi and power outlets are also available inside the capsule. Communal men's and women's bathrooms include hotel-branded products. Several vanity mirrors line the bathroom walls above clean white sinks, and hairdryers are available. Modern showers have frosted glass doors and small drying areas. Shelves are provided to store clothes whilst showering, and there are private lockers on the same floor. 

The hotel entrance is very narrow, squeezed between two shopfronts, and the clean and bright lobby is reminiscent of an airport lounge with a large luggage storage area and basic seating. At the entrance, there are numbered shoe lockers, and slippers are provided for guests to wear during their stay. Functional signage directs guests around the hotel from the lobby to the communal bathroom area where lockers are provided for smaller bags. Capsules are accessed via gender-separated lifts that travel to male and female floors. Free Wi-Fi and bicycle rentals are available, and parking is complimentary. There is no restaurant or kitchen on the premises, but there is a selection of small convenience stores nearby. Keep in mind the strict checkout policies, even for guests staying more than one night.