During my review trip to South Korea and Japan, I had a quick overnight at Tokyo Haneda Airport. I arrived at Terminal 1 at around 10PM, and wanted to be at Terminal 3 at around 5AM the following morning. There’s a “proper” mega-airport hotel connected directly to Terminal 3, which is Hotel Villa Fontaine. However, I had reviewed that recently, and it’s also pricey for what you get (especially on such a short overnight), so I decided to mix it up this time.
I booked the First Cabin Haneda Terminal 1, which is a “cabin” hotel located in the land side portion of the terminal (it’s worth emphasizing that this isn’t a “capsule” hotel, which is another popular type of accommodation). This was a pretty good deal compared to the alternative, at 12,000 JPY (~80 USD) for the most premium room type. However, I think this will be my first and last time staying in such an accommodation.
In this post:
I like the concept of these cabin hotels
Let me start by saying that I don’t want to seem like I was coming into this with unrealistic expectations. I wasn’t expecting the presidential suite at the Four Seasons. Quite to the contrary, I’ve enjoyed my stays in these kinds of super dense accommodations, especially at airports. Whether it’s the Sleep ‘N Fly Sleep Lounge Doha or the Bahrain Airport Hotel, there’s something I find cozy about these setups.
And in fairness, the physical accommodation at the First Cabin Haneda was also pretty decent. I booked the “first class cabin,” which is the largest cabin they have.
Essentially, it has a bed and then some space next to it, while the smaller cabins just let you slide into a bed, with no extra space. The cabin was reasonably nice, and since this is Japan, everything was at least clean. Now, the beds were super hard, to the point that it felt like sleeping on a yoga mat. But I was tired enough, so that wasn’t a huge issue for me.
While I don’t love the idea of shared bathrooms and showers, I wasn’t really planning on using those facilities anyway, as I was going to shower in the Japan Airlines First Lounge Haneda the following morning, which has great showers.
Why this concept probably isn’t for me
That brings me to the things I didn’t love about this cabin hotel concept. Let me acknowledge that most of these are “me” problems, and just reasons I’m not the right fit for this concept, rather than something being wrong with this particular cabin hotel (quite to the contrary, it represents a fair value).
The first issue was the noise situation. The cabin bans basically any avoidable noises, as it should. You’re not supposed to talk on your phone, watch entertainment without headphones, etc. Since this is Japan, people followed the rules (I’d love to see how this concept would work out in Miami… heh).
So it was completely silent… except the symphony of snoring and farting. Ugh. These cabins aren’t enclosed — there’s a bit of a shield, but there are gaps at the top and bottom, so you really hear everything, and smell most things, from flatulence to dirty socks.
This is also a huge facility, with lots of cabins. So there’s also the constant stream of people arriving at and departing from the facility, which involved quite a few of the privacy shields slamming open and shut, luggage rolling across the floor, etc.
One can use earplugs to avoid the noise, but this brings up a whole different issue, which made me sort of paranoid about sleeping. You’re not allowed to set an alarm that makes noise, which is a policy that makes sense. But I hadn’t really considered the logistics of that:
- You can put your phone on vibrate, though to be honest, I don’t remember the last time I’ve put my phone on vibrate mode, and I questioned if it would wake me up, as I’m often a deep sleeper
- In theory you can use earphones and have an alarm go off that way, but I knew that in my sleep I’d subconsciously take them out
- There’s no system in place whereby the staff will wake you up, so you’re on your own
So I was worried that I’d oversleep, and wouldn’t realize my alarm was going off. As a result, rather than sleeping through the night, I kept waking up every 30 minutes, thinking I’d miss my anticipated departure.
After waking up several times, I decided to just get up and head to the communal lounge area. I was also sweating at this point, as I found the whole facility to be quite warm. This was around 2AM, so I fired up my laptop, picked up a coffee from the vending coffee, and got some work done.
It wasn’t ideal, but I wasn’t worried about the lack of sleep, given that I’d be boarding a Tokyo to New York flight in business class, and I could sleep for much of that journey. The less I slept at night, the more sleep I’d get on the flight.
So let me once again emphasize that I’m not saying that this is a bad concept, or that other people shouldn’t use it. It’s just that this isn’t ideal for the type of sleeper that I am. I would’ve probably been just as happy sitting in the terminal on my laptop, or otherwise I’d splurge on a real hotel room, where I could set an alarm and have more control over the environment.
Bottom line
I’ve gotta say, my overnight at Haneda was quite the experience. I like the concept of super dense capsule hotels where you have a door that can close and can control your own air. But I found this cabin hotel to be hot, with a bit too much snoring and farting for my preferences. Add in my paranoia around not being able to set an alarm and missing my wakeup, and it wasn’t a great night of sleep.
Has anyone else stayed in a cabin hotel like this? If so, how did you control the alarm situation, if you needed one?
Better than one a plane where you cannot hear but smell them farting.
Use my Apple Watch for my alarm, works really well. Also never disturbs my spouse or vice versa.
I don't get the hype about these concepts, especially when the rates are this high. You can get good business hotels around Haneda around the same price. Now those walls arent thick and the single rooms arent big either, but its still miles better than any of those cabin or capsule hotels.
Hey Ben - you may want to check out a product that I recently discovered and find invaluable for sleeping in noisy environments (from home with a snoring parther, to on a flight, to something like your experience in Tokyo): Ozlo Sleepbuds... Noise canceling earbuds that have a really low profile, so you can sleep on your side... and they can stream from your phone or use included programs... and it has an alarm function!...
Hey Ben - you may want to check out a product that I recently discovered and find invaluable for sleeping in noisy environments (from home with a snoring parther, to on a flight, to something like your experience in Tokyo): Ozlo Sleepbuds... Noise canceling earbuds that have a really low profile, so you can sleep on your side... and they can stream from your phone or use included programs... and it has an alarm function! https://ozlosleep.com. I have no relation to the company - just a fellow frequent traveler!
I recently transited HND with about 8 hrs and got an 8hr room at Villa Fontaine for about $80 usd! I thought it was a deal and totally worth it. Fully dark room, excellent AC, comfy bed and a huge soaking tub! My go to from now on for sure.
Why on earth don't they have a built-in clock and a way to turn on the lights at a certain hour?! This is the 21st century. It should even be remote synchronized and set along with your length of stay. The attendant should eject you if you overstay/oversleep.
By the time they've 'caught' you for the alarm, you are checking out. Is there an alarm fine? If not - unfortunately their own rules just cancel out.
You don't seem to understand Japan.
Have to say Ben, when you suggested that First Cabin was something you were planning to do, a fair few readers were already saying that it wouldn't be for people like you.
I don't think most Westerners are built to use "shared" areas as well as Asians, purely because the density when growing up is very different.
Same experience... I stayed there once. It's not quiet, it's hot, little air circulation... And I'm a light sleeper.... It sucked.
I used FART sounds for my alarm.
LOL!!
It never pays to compromise on sleep quality.
I stayed there once and I actually liked. My flight from Japan to US was at 11am and I could sleep thru the night. I don’t like to share the bathroom as they have their individual shower room. It is taking shower in gym or in camp site in national parks.
Those are not "me" issues: I would have reacted the same way.
Thanks for the sacrifice.
Another vote for Apple Watch. I use it for silent alarms (charge it before bed, wear it to sleep with theater mode on) whenever I need to wake up quietly. But also I use it for a backup alarm when I have a flight to catch or other time sensitive wake up. I have had an incident once before where I missed a flight because my phone wasn’t properly situated on the wireless charging pad...
Another vote for Apple Watch. I use it for silent alarms (charge it before bed, wear it to sleep with theater mode on) whenever I need to wake up quietly. But also I use it for a backup alarm when I have a flight to catch or other time sensitive wake up. I have had an incident once before where I missed a flight because my phone wasn’t properly situated on the wireless charging pad and died during the night (taking my only alarm along with it). Ever since then I set duplicate alarms a few minutes apart and then can disable the backup alarm after waking before it goes off.
If you ever go through Nagoya, as I did last June, AA booking on JAL, try the Centrair hotel, you access it right from the terminal. All on the same island that was created to accommodate the airport. I paid around 80 bucks, had a wonderful comfy stay in a very decent silent room, and they actually had a real old style wooden alarm clock, so no panic about oversleeping, in addition to a real...
If you ever go through Nagoya, as I did last June, AA booking on JAL, try the Centrair hotel, you access it right from the terminal. All on the same island that was created to accommodate the airport. I paid around 80 bucks, had a wonderful comfy stay in a very decent silent room, and they actually had a real old style wooden alarm clock, so no panic about oversleeping, in addition to a real phone and wake up call. Also there is a little supermarket right beside the entrance to the hotel. Will stay there anytime again.
Does it have separate areas for men and women? I've stay at the First Cabin in the city a while back and I remember they had separate areas or floor for different sex, for rooms/bath/toilets etc. - would be really surprising if they don't separate men and women in this open concept
I think this is the first time Ben has ever mentioned farts in a post. And given all the airplane food he’s exposed to, that surely took patience to wait this long!
Why not use the Royal Park either inside or outside security. Maybe different terminal But I think cheaper then Hotel Villa Fontaine.
I justed opend Google to search and up came the 3 hotels for Tues Oct 15 (today is Oct 14 in Tokyo).
Royal Park - $133, FIRST Cabin - $177, Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand - $103 (cheapest) - I guess demand pricing.
Not being able to lock the door is a complete no as a woman.
They have separate areas for men and women, similar to women-only dorms in hostels.
You don't know until you try it, eh?
Thanks for your honest report. I guess I'll try to find a different solution first the next time I have an early flight out of Haneda. The deal breaker? Not being allowed to set an audible alarm. The rest is just proper traveler's inconvenience. Deliberately increasing the chance of missing a flight is something else.
The lack of a proper closing and locking door would prevent me from staying here. I guess its like a hostal, but those never appealed to me either. I need a properly secure room in order to sleep peacefully. Size wise, that room shown would be fine, however.
On the verge of being labelled racist, but I feel that something in the Japanese diet produces the most vile results aromatically. I used to be a flight attendant last century & often worked in the limited confines of the 747-400 upper deck business class, whereby the farting was often a real problem. On one occasion I had to get our Japanese speaking crew to do an upper deck PA asking for the 'offender' to...
On the verge of being labelled racist, but I feel that something in the Japanese diet produces the most vile results aromatically. I used to be a flight attendant last century & often worked in the limited confines of the 747-400 upper deck business class, whereby the farting was often a real problem. On one occasion I had to get our Japanese speaking crew to do an upper deck PA asking for the 'offender' to please release gas in the bathrooms provided as even the flight deck crew were complaining!
They lost me at "you can't lock the door" - as a woman that is an absolute no. Then no alarm clock? I agree with you, I'd be so worried about sleeping through the alarm on vibrate that I'd never get any sleep. I'm not keen on the no actual door either - sounds and smells? ICK, no thank you.
If your phone is on vibrate (mine is almost always and I wish everyones phone would be), and you set an alarm, the alarm still makes an audible noise. It doesn't just vibrate. At least it works this way on Apple's iPhones.
In 2019 a typhoon cancelled our flight, so Delta put us on the repositioning one from Nagoya to Detroit. They paid for a night at a similar hotel, in separate rooms, with private bathrooms. The beds were a tad hard, but we had experience with this from staying in a Ryokan for a few nights in Kyoto, the traditional Japanese inn where you sleep on tatami mats. We had no alarm restrictions, so arrived fresh...
In 2019 a typhoon cancelled our flight, so Delta put us on the repositioning one from Nagoya to Detroit. They paid for a night at a similar hotel, in separate rooms, with private bathrooms. The beds were a tad hard, but we had experience with this from staying in a Ryokan for a few nights in Kyoto, the traditional Japanese inn where you sleep on tatami mats. We had no alarm restrictions, so arrived fresh for our J seats. Because it was a make-up flight, we were the only passengers in the forward cabin. Great service!
You don't think people fart all over a business class cabin?
You ve probably inhaled more fart than most people will in their lifetime.
yesss, ur so right. and im here for it. bring it on, fart away, lets be free in the business skys. but in cabin quarters? absolutely not. thats repulsive.
I read the reviews and decided to stay at the small studio-hotel inside HND instead.
Perfect for a night’s stay, easy to take the metro and trains, and not expensive at all.
A smart watch is a good solution for the alarm issue—I use my Apple Watch to wake up for work without disturbing the rest of the family. The wrist tapping is much more noticeable than a phone on vibrate, but doesn’t make any noise.
I used my alarm when I stayed there. It’s quiet and some Mozart so I guess it was a acceptable
A small wireless, rechargeable fan solves all of these problems. Also helps in hotels with hallway noise and door slamming.
The no-alarm rule is a dealbreaker. Farting and snoring are part and parcel of human nature. People who don’t fart often aren’t eating enough fiber.
You lost me at the farts and smelly socks. Proper ventilation is also good hygiene.
Should have stayed at the Red Roof Inn Kamata.
It is 15 drive from the airport.
It looks sweet also. Like the Japanese improved a Red Roof Inn!
$72 for the night with free breakfast
I mean, just set an alarm. What are they going to do, kick you out when you're about to leave anyway?
Oh Noa, please for the sake of all of us global travelers trying to rebuild our American reputation abroad….just don’t travel to Japan… or maybe anywhere other than a cruise ship??
You don’t sound like you would adjust very well to the Japanese culture.
They could fine you, as hotels do for smoking. The no-alarm rule is definitely a showstopper and something needs to be done. This is Japan we’re talking about. They could build motors underneath the bed to jolt you out at your chosen time. There are plenty of solutions but just leaving it up to your circadian rhythm is not something that is workable, obviously.
Thanks for taking the bullet. It’s a place I’ve considered for 6 hour overnight connections, but given the review that seems unlikely now.
The no alarm part I can deal with, I can just set my smartwatch to vibrate at wake up time and use earplugs, but the smell of fart is not something I want to deal with.
If you don’t like ass smells, then you shouldn’t go to Asia period. I know you cosplay on this website as someone of Asian descent. But outside luxury hotels, offices, and malls, bathrooms stink. Asians have a high tolerance for this as a natural bodily process.
Only if by Asian, you mean Indians. Otherwise Asians in general have much less tolerance for BO than Americans and Europeans, evident by the fact that Caucasians actually enjoy going to India for vacation.
As for whether I'm "cosplaying" Asian, unless you're willing to put your money where your mouth is, or I'd suggest you stop making a fool of yourself.
I think he's a Hong Konger with a Canadian passport.
i actually luv First Cabin....
Could live with most of the issues mentioned in the post except the communal bathrooms. Really want my own place to go in the middle of the night.
My experience was EXACTLY the same in Tokyo last week as I stayed in the capsule (not a cabin). The only difference was that I paid 1/2 the price of you BUT obv also had 1/2 the space. The rooms are kept extremely warm. I woke up several times (note: don’t use the comforter blanket or you will sweat your life away). The prices (and/or points required) of hotels in Tokyo is mind blowing. I’ve...
My experience was EXACTLY the same in Tokyo last week as I stayed in the capsule (not a cabin). The only difference was that I paid 1/2 the price of you BUT obv also had 1/2 the space. The rooms are kept extremely warm. I woke up several times (note: don’t use the comforter blanket or you will sweat your life away). The prices (and/or points required) of hotels in Tokyo is mind blowing. I’ve stayed at several cabin/capsule hotels in Tokyo and there are some excellent ones where flatulence/dirty socks aren’t an issue. Don’t let this experience away you.
Japan keeps all temperatures at near- sauna levels, though. I distinctly recall feeling like I was going to pass out from heat in my JAL jammies on one ORD to NRT overnight, as wonderful as the seat and food were in all other respects.
Most Asian carriers and common spaces are way too hot. As a frequent flyer on ANA business, I bought a USB fan, it works great. Finally on the new 777 ANA Room and Suite, they finally have individual air nozzles.
My last corporate trip to Japan some years ago, the a/c stats at the offices were set at 25C (77F in US currency). Waaay too hot for Mr 18.5C here. That was a company energy saving edict.
It’s better than sleeping between the dividers on the hard seat chairs at the departures level, that’s for sure! Did it once & won’t be repeating it!
Had to do that myself once in Terminal 3 during Covid. Sixteen hours of pure hell. Airside hotel was closed so I had no choice since Japan had severe restrictions on foreigners entering the country. It was a very humbling experience!