Tokyo's Secret: AKIHABARA Capsule Hotel Bliss! (GLANSIT Review)
Tokyo's Secret: AKIHABARA Capsule Hotel Bliss! (GLANSIT - Get Ready for Your Akihabara Adventure!) - A Messy, Honest, and (Occasionally) Raving Review
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your sterile travel blog review. This is a RAW dive into the GLANSIT capsule hotel experience in the electric heart of Akihabara. I'm talking neon lights, anime dreams, and maybe, just maybe, a few hours of actual sleep. After my stay, I will try to give my honest opinion.
First things first: Location, Location, Location!
Seriously, if you're in Akihabara, you're there. GLANSIT drops you right in the middle of the action. Walk out and BAM – arcades blasting, electronics shops calling your name, and the smell of yakitori sizzling in the air. Accessibility? Easy peasy. The metro is practically at your doorstep. Car parking? They have it, but honestly, ditch the car. This is a walking, electric-train kind of town.
The Capsule Life: Tiny Living, Big Adventure
Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the…well, in the tiny capsule. My first thought? "WHOA. Small." But it's designed quite thoughtfully, with just enough space to do its job well. It's a unique experience, a rite of passage if you will.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank the gods!), alarm clock, complimentary tea (a lifesaver after a caffeine-fueled day), hairdryer, free bottled water and Wi-Fi [free] – pretty much the essentials. They even have a reading light! The beds are comfortable, and the blackout curtains are a lifesaver. That helps you with the jet lag! The soundproofing is decent - considering you're crammed in a room with what seems to be hundreds of other people!
Cleanliness and safety: They take this seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, rooms sanitized between stays, and daily disinfection in common areas. I saw the staff diligently wiping down everything constantly. Plenty of hand sanitizer stations everywhere, a good sign in todays world. I’d give them a thumbs up on that front.
Rooms: Non-smoking rooms are the only ones available. Bathroom phone: What? I didn't realize that such thing still exists! Air conditioning: Works perfectly! Alarm clock: Works! Bathrobes: Didn't find any, it is a capsule hotel after all. Blackout curtains: Essential! Clothes: Closets are very compact. Coffee/tea maker: Actually complimentary tea! Desk: Not found. Extra long bed: Well, if you are 6'5", you are in for a treat! Hair dryer: Available. High floor: Not in capsules. In-room safe box: Nah. Interconnecting room(s) available: Nope. Internet access – LAN & Internet access – wireless: Yes. Ironing facilities: Not found. Laptop workspace: Not really. Linens: Fine. Mirror: Yes. Non-smoking: Yes. On-demand movies: No. Private bathroom: Nope. Reading light: Yes. Refrigerator: No. Safety/security feature: Yes. Satellite/cable channels: Yes. Scale: No. Seating area: Nope. Separate shower/bathtub: No. Shower: Yes. Slippers: Yes. Smoke detector: Yes. Socket near the bed: Yes. Sofa: No. Soundproofing: Good. Telephone: Nope. Toiletries: Yes. Towels: Yes. Umbrella: Nope. Visual alarm: No. Wake-up service: Yes. Window that opens: Nope.
Dining, Drinking, And Snacking: Fueling the Otaku
Okay, here’s where things get a little less "bliss" and a bit more "convenience." Breakfast [buffet] is offered. I didn't indulge, mostly because I was too busy running around Akihabara. There's a coffee shop, which is key for surviving the energy of Akihabara. Snack bar – perfect for those late-night cravings. The restaurant has Asian cuisine. Dining and Snacks: A la carte in restaurant: Yes. Alternative meal arrangement: Seems to be available. Asian breakfast: Yes. Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes. Bar: Yes. Bottle of water: Yes. Breakfast [buffet]: Yes. Breakfast service: Yes. Buffet in restaurant: Yes. Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. Coffee shop: Yes. Desserts in restaurant: Yes. Happy hour: Limited. International cuisine in restaurant: Yes. Poolside bar: No. Restaurants: Yes. Room service [24-hour]: No. Salad in restaurant: Yes. Snack bar: Yes. Soup in restaurant: Yes. Vegetarian restaurant: Yes. Western breakfast: Yes. Western cuisine in restaurant: Not much.
Pool with view: Nope. Gym/fitness: Nope. Spa: No. Sauna: no. This place prioritizes functionality and location over luxury.
Services and Conveniences:
Contactless check-in/out: Yes! Good in this day and age. They have a Concierge which is helpful. They offer daily housekeeping and laundry service, the usual stuff. Cash withdrawal is nearby and currency exchange available . Services and Conveniences: Air conditioning in public area: Yes. Audio-visual equipment for special events: No. Business facilities: Limited. Cash withdrawal: Yes. Concierge: Yes. Contactless check-in/out: Yes. Convenience store: Nearby. Currency exchange: Yes. Daily housekeeping: Yes. Doorman: No. Dry cleaning: Yes. Elevator: Yes. Essential condiments: Yes. Facilities for disabled guests: Yes. Food delivery: Yes. Gift/souvenir shop: Yes. Indoor venue for special events: No. Invoice provided: Yes. Ironing service: No. Laundry service: Yes. Luggage storage: Yes. Meeting/banquet facilities: No. Meetings: No. Meeting stationery: No. On-site event hosting: No. Outdoor venue for special events: No. Projector/LED display: No. Safety deposit boxes: Yes. Seminars: No. Shrine: No. Smoking area: Yes. Terrace: Yes. Wi-Fi for special events: Yes. Xerox/fax in business center: No.
For The Kids:
Babysitting service: Nope. Family/child friendly: Doubt it. This is mostly a solo traveler or young couples kind of place. For the kids, Babysitting service: No. Family/child friendly: Limited. Kids facilities: No. Kids meal: No.
Getting Around:
Airport transfer: They can arrange it. They have Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site] Getting around: Airport transfer: Yes. Bicycle parking: No. Car park [free of charge]: Yes. Car park [on-site]: Yes. Car power charging station: No. Taxi service: Yes. Valet parking: No.
My Unvarnished Opinion (and the Good Stuff):
The Good:
- Location, location, location! Seriously, you're in Akihabara.
- Cleanliness: They take it seriously.
- Free Wi-Fi: Essential.
- Air Conditioning: Praise the gods (again!).
- Affordable, a solid budget option.
The Not-So-Good:
- Not a luxury experience. You're prioritizing convenience, not pampering.
- Capsules are…small. Be prepared for a potentially claustrophobic experience.
- No real "chill out" zones. Mostly a basecamp for exploration.
Stuff I Didn't Cover:
- I didn't use the Air conditioning in public area, but the elevator was air conditioned, which gave a small respite in Summer.
- I had not need of the CCTV in common areas nor CCTV outside property.
- I didn't use the Check-in/out [express], nor Check-in/out [private] options.
- I will surely go back to the Couple's room!
- I didn't need to use Fire extinguisher nor Smoke alarms.
- I also have a feeling I will be avoiding the Exterior corridor and
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're heading to… wait for it… Akihabara, Tokyo, and specifically, the GLANSIT AKIHABARA COMFORT CAPSULE HOTEL. Sounds glamorous, right? Just kidding, I'm terrified of capsule hotels. Claustrophobia is a bitch, and a tiny, coffin-like room… well, let’s just say I hope my phone has a good battery life.
Day 1: Arrival and the Eternal Struggle of Not Being a Local
- 14:00 - Arrival at Narita (NRT). Okay, deep breaths. This is it. Japan. Finally. The customs guy was, like, intensely polite. Almost… unsettlingly polite. I'm pretty sure I mumbled something about "konnichiwa," which probably came out sounding like a strangled seagull.
- 14:30 - Narita Express to Tokyo Station. The train is pristine. Seriously, you could eat off the floor (though I wouldn't recommend it). Found a seat, felt a wave of pure, unadulterated relief. Travel is exhausting, and that feeling of "I made it" hits you like a caffeinated brick.
- 16:00 - Tokyo Station Shuffle and Subway Survival. Okay, Tokyo Station. I was told it's a "maze." People, it's Dante's Inferno on public transport. I swear I walked in a circle for a solid 30 minutes, clutching my ridiculously oversized backpack, while looking like a lost golden retriever pup. Managed to… somehow… navigate the subway. I think. Let's just say I might have accidentally ended up in Shinagawa. Twice.
- 17:30 - Finally, GLANSIT! Check-in and Existential Dread of Capsule-dom. Found the damn place. It’s tucked away down a neon-lit street, surrounded by anime stores and… well, more anime stores. Check-in was smooth, too smooth. The receptionist was impossibly polite. My room? A capsule. I stared at it. It stared back. It judged me. I briefly considered just camping out in the lobby. But… gotta do it. Gotta conquer the fear. My little pod is clean and cozy. Wait, is this a good thing, or am I just projecting? It is not a coffin. Yet.
- 19:00 - Akihabara Exploration - First Blood: Ramen. Okay, I'm in. Akihabara. The Electric Town. The promised land of… well, electronics. And ramen. First stop, a tiny ramen shop that smelled like heaven and disappointment all at once thanks to the long queue. The broth was an explosion of flavor. The noodles perfectly… shlurpy. It was sublime. I spilled a bit on myself, of course. Classic.
- 20:00 - Wandering and Wonder. I'm surrounded by flashing lights, and arcade noises, people excitedly talking, and robots. I even saw a guy in a Pikachu costume. It's sensory overload. I wandered around like a kid in a candy store, which, incidentally, is exactly how I feel. Spent way too much time looking at figures. Temptation to buy a giant robot statue is high. I really want it! Must… resist… the urge. I tell myself I have too much luggage. That reminds me of the capsule hotel. Oh, God.
Day 2: Embracing the Weird and Possibly Losing My Mind
- 07:00 - Capsule Hotel Wake-Up Call (aka Panic Attack #2). Woke up. Alive. Survived the night. The capsule was… surprisingly comfortable, in a "I'm basically in a spaceship" kind of way. Getting out was the hardest part of the day.
- 08:00 - Breakfast Bento Battle. Found a 7-Eleven. Bento boxes are the solution to all my problems. For like five minutes, until I realized I had no idea what half the stuff was. Picked something with vaguely familiar-looking fried… things. Turns out they were amazing. Japan, you are winning.
- 09:00 - Arcade Mayhem. You know what they say: When in Rome, play whack-a-mole with a vengeance. This is precisely what happened. The arcade was a cacophony of noise and flashing lights. Spent a ridiculous amount of money on a claw machine game. Didn’t win. Cried.
- 11:00 - Maid Cafe… Deep Dive. I hesitated. I judged. Then, I gave in. My curiosity got the best of me. Okay, it was… an experience. The maids were impossibly cute and enthusiastic. My coffee was adorned with a bunny that was so cute. The food was… surprisingly yummy. This is the moment where my friends reading this story would probably judge me. I am not a man who's been to a maid cafe. I am a woman, but it was kind of fun. The whole time I was half-expecting the whole thing to reveal itself to be some kind of elaborate performance art piece. It was… weirdly wholesome.
- 13:00 - Gachapon Obsession. The vending machines that dispense tiny, random toys. I’m now the proud owner of a miniature, plastic… something. Honestly, I have no idea what it is. It is just a plastic figure. It is beautiful!
- 14:00 - Electronics Shopping… or Attempted Shopping. Decided to brave the electronics stores. Overwhelmed. Overstimulated. Walked out empty-handed, after testing a VR headset (mind blown). Tried to buy a new Switch game. Failed.
- 16:00 - Back to the Capsule, Reality Check. Back at the hotel. Time to recharge and… well, wallow in the utter exhaustion of Tokyo. This city is exhausting. Contemplate life. Maybe make a new friend tonight.
Day 3: From Akihabara to… Oh, God, Where Am I Now?
- 07:00 - Capsule Struggle Part 3. The ritual. The escape. The quiet terror of being stuck in a small space.
- 08:00 - Breakfast & Ramen Round Two. More 7-Eleven. More fried… things. This time, I am more sure of my ingredients. Still just as tasty. Then, found another ramen place. This one was smaller, even better than the first - I almost cried.
- 09:00 - Exploring the Unknown, the Anime Shops. Finally bought some anime! Time passes. Very happy.
- 12:00 - Akihabara Farewell… and a Train Wreck of a Departure. Okay, it's time to leave Akihabara. This is what I thought… until I got back to the train station. The station is still the worst. I was on the wrong train. I realized that I now have zero yen to spend. What the heck am I gonna do!?
- 16:00 - Tokyo Station Debriefing. Turns out, this is where the story begins. Time to sort things out.
- 17:00 - Final Thoughts and Existential Dread. Did I enjoy my time in Akihabara, despite my daily struggles? Yes, mostly. Did I conquer my capsule hotel fear? Maybe. Will I ever learn to navigate the Tokyo Metro? Probably not. Am I going to miss this place? Absolutely.
- What Next? Who knows! That's the fun part!
Food Diary Notes:
- Ramen is my new religion.
- The bento boxes are a lifesaver.
- I am not a fan of the raw fish.
- I need a better dictionary.
Emotional Summary:
- Fear: Capsules. Tokyo public transport. Customs guy.
- Joy: Ramen. Arcade games. Miniature toys.
- Confusion: The signage. The train schedules. My sense of direction.
- Triumph: Surviving the capsule. Eating ramen.
- Exhaustion: Everything.
This trip was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, ramen and existential dread, and probably a few wrong turns. But hey, that's travelling, right? And yes, I made it through my capsule hotel experience. I survived. And I would do it again. Maybe. If my claustrophobia allows it.
Unbelievable Tongli Lakeview: Your Suzhou Dream Getaway Awaits!
Tokyo's Secret: AKIHABARA Capsule Hotel Bliss! (GLANSIT Review) - The Unvarnished Truth (and Maybe Some Ramen Regrets)
Okay, so you're thinking of conquering the electric town of Akihabara and need a place to crash? Excellent choice! But let's be real, capsule hotels... they're an experience. I dove headfirst into GLANSIT, armed with my questionable Japanese skills and a desperate need for sleep. Here's the raw, unfiltered, and probably slightly caffeinated truth.
1. Is GLANSIT Actually *in* Akihabara? Because Google Maps Lies Sometimes.
YES! Gloriously, wonderfully YES! It's a stone's throw from the Akihabara station. I mean, practically tripping distance. Seriously. I *almost* missed my exit because I was too busy gawking at the maid cafes. Don't be me. Look for the sign – you won't miss it. Which is good, because navigating Tokyo after jet lag is a sport in itself.
2. Capsule Hotel... Are They Claustrophobic Death Traps? The Real Deal.
Okay, breathe. Deep breaths. They're not *death traps*. They're...snug. Think of it like a really, really well-designed coffin...that you can get out of. GLANSIT's capsules are surprisingly comfortable, actually. I'm 6'0" and didn't feel *completely* entombed. They have a decent amount of headroom (enough to sit up), a TV (with questionable programming choices – mostly Japanese game shows, bless 'em), and USB charging ports. The aircon is a godsend. The lighting...well, it could be better but you get used to the mood lighting. It's like living in a spaceship...or a really advanced bunk bed. Seriously though, it's not as bad as the horror stories make it out to be...as long as you don't mind being close to your neighbors' *very* subtle snoring.
3. The Shower Situation: Public Nakedness in Japan – Am I Ready?
Alright, buckle up. The public baths are a thing. GLANSIT's showers are communal, but thankfully, separate from the sauna/bath area (which is a bonus for the shy!). You get a little cubicle, great water pressure, and complimentary toiletries (soap, shampoo, the works!). The key thing is to wash before entering the bath. And respect the other bathers! I'm not going into too much detail, but let’s just say… the whole experience involves embracing your inner exhibitionist (or at least, trying to). It's awkward to start, then surprisingly relaxing. And the water is *hot*. Like, melt-your-face-off hot. But after exploring all day, it's exactly what you need.
4. The Noise Factor – Will I Ever Sleep? (And Is This the End of Me?)
Okay, this is the big one. Noise. It's a gamble. You're sharing a space with maybe a hundred other people. Some people… snore. Loudly. My first night I thought a small motorcycle was residing next to me. Others... well, let's just say some people appear to pack enough electronics to make Siri take over Akihabara. GLANSIT provides earplugs, and *use them*. I swear they're a lifesaver. Honestly, I'd recommend bringing your own too. But hey, even with the intermittent snoring symphony, I eventually crashed. The exhaustion of exploring Tokyo really kicked in.
5. The Lounge Area: Socialising – or Avoiding Human Contact?
GLANSIT has a lounge area where you can chill, watch TV (more game shows!), or work. It's pretty standard, but a good place to unwind after a mad dash across Akihabara. I personally preferred avoiding eye contact and quietly eating my convenience store snacks, but hey, you do you. It's good for charging your devices. And they have vending machines of course! Tokyo and vending machines are just an extension of each other. One night I was lucky enough to hear the dulcet tones of a fellow traveler practicing their kazoo – not sure if that counts as socialising... but it's definitely a memory.
6. Is the Free Breakfast Worth the Hype? (My Ramen Regret).
Ah, the breakfast. So, GLANSIT offers a *free* breakfast. Score! It's basic: toast, cereal, coffee, juice. Perfect! Except, I was SO focused on getting to the anime-themed cafe before the crowds that first morning, I skipped it. BIG MISTAKE. Because later I was famished, and I ended up grabbing the first ramen shop I could find. And it was…not great. It was ramen-adjacent. A mistake I swore I'd never repeat. My fault, not GLANSIT's. Breakfast is free! EAT IT!
7. Personal Storage: Can I Actually Fit ALL My Nerd Gear?
Okay, storage. This is where it gets slightly tricky. You have a locker for your luggage, but it's not enormous. Think medium-sized suitcase. I definitely overpacked, so I had to strategically arrange things. Your capsule only fits the bare essentials – phone, wallet, maybe a book. So, leave your prized anime figure collections at home (or, you know, in the locker... if they fit). Pack light! And if you're anything like me, you'll probably end up buying *more* stuff in Akihabara anyway, which will complicate things further.
8. Cleanliness: Is GLANSIT a Gross-Out Nightmare? (Or Surprisingly Okay?)
Surprisingly okay! I was braced for the worst, but GLANSIT is actually pretty clean. The staff keeps on top of things. The bathrooms were *generally* spotless, the capsules were tidy, and everything smelled…decent. Don't get me wrong, it's not a pristine 5-star hotel, but for a capsule hotel, it's a win. I saw the cleaning staff at work, and they *really* meant business. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was a huge relief. Seriously, no complaints here. It was much cleaner than my apartment, to be honest.
9. Staff: Are They Actually Helpful? (Or Just Polite Robots?)
The staff was great! Friendly, helpfulRoam And Rests
