During the Corona Disaster, I have been traveling to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, etc. more and more often for blog interviews, study groups, etc. since a few years before that.
In almost all of them, I use capsule hotels for lodging. I like capsule hotels.
One of the concerns of those who have not yet used capsule hotels is, “Where will I keep my baggage and valuables after entering acapsulehotel?I am sure you are right to be concerned about this.
While these concerns are certainly valid, as long as you store your luggage properly and take the proper precautions, you should be fine.
In this article, we would like to tell you what to do with your baggage and valuables once you enter a capsule hotel, and what you need to take care of to prevent them from being stolen.
Aren’t capsule hotels at high risk of theft?
Since capsule hotels are simple accommodations, some people may be concerned about theft.
To speak from my experience in this regard, I have used capsule hotels probably 40 times or more, and I have never experienced theft. I have also never heard of any capsule hotel related news so far.
Of course, I just don’t know about it, and it may happen several times a year. However, I don’t think that capsule hotels have a higher risk of theft than other accommodations. (I have not seen the data, and I apologize for my lack of objectivity.)
However, there are some points to note that are unique to capsule hotels, and I will write about them from time to time.
In the next section, I will explain the process after check-in at a capsule hotel and where to put your baggage.
Where do you put your baggage after entering a capsule hotel?
Flow after entering (1) Putting shoes in a locker
When you enter a capsule hotel, you first take off your shoes and put them in a shoe box. Then, lock them and take the key with you to the front desk.
Flow after entering ② Check-in procedures
At the front desk, you will confirm whether or not you have a reservation, write down your name and phone number, and go through the check-in procedures. You will also be given the number of your capsule as soon as the procedure is completed.
At this time, you will leave the key to the shoe box mentioned earlier at the front desk and receive a key to your locker in exchange.
The photo shows an example of a locker key.
Flow after entering the room (3) Put your luggage in the locker.
After receiving a locker key, go to the locker room. The photo is an example of a locker room. The locker with your number here will be an important place for you to keep your belongings. Therefore, the key here is very important. Please be careful not to lose it!
Some locker rooms are on the same floor as the front desk, and some are on the floor where your capsule room is located. You will be given an explanation when you get your key, but please be careful.
- What about large luggage that won’t fit in the lockers?
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Lockers in capsule hotels generally look like the ones in the photo, although they vary slightly from place to place, and are quite narrow (about 20 cm wide in most places, I think).
Therefore, large suitcases and the like cannot fit in them. However, all capsule hotels will take care of large luggage at the front desk, so you can ask them to do so.
Where should I keep my valuables?
There are several patterns for valuables such as wallets and watches, depending on the restaurant.
- Put them in your own locker with your other luggage
- Leave them at the front desk
- Put them in a dedicated valuables box
The most common is simply “keep them in your own locker” with your other luggage.
I have never heard of lockers being broken into and stolen, and I think that is still safe, but if you are concerned about this, please ask, as many places will do (2) “leave it at the front desk” if you are concerned.
Also, an increasing number of capsule hotels, especially newer ones, have a valuables box near the front desk, or have a lockable valuables box in each capsule for your own use. In such places, it is safe to use the valuables box.
The photo is an example from a First Cabin where I stayed before. A part of the black cabinet to the left of the bed is your own private valuables box, and it is locked.
Basically, you leave your baggage in your locker in the locker room, change into indoor clothes, and go to the capsule with only small change, a smartphone if necessary, and a few personal items. (Changing into indoor clothes is done in the locker room.)
Let’s take a look at four possible cases of theft in a capsule hotel.
Four potential theft hazards in capsule hotels
Danger 1: You brought valuables into the capsule and left the capsule.
In a capsule hotel, you stay in a capsule with your own number, but there is no lock on the doorway.
Therefore, if you leave things in the capsule and leave the capsule to use the restroom or other places, there is a possibility of theft.
Based on this risk, it is a general rule that you should take only a few things with you into the capsule, and especially important items such as wallets should be placed in individual lockers, locked securely, and not brought into the capsule.
Of course, you may leave the capsule to use the restroom or take a bath.
Naturally, you should not leave your change purse or smartphone in the capsule, but always take them with you when you leave the capsule.
Also, most capsules have roll curtains at the entrance and exit, but when you leave the capsule, make sure to close the curtain to the very bottom.
If the curtain is tightly closed, it is difficult to tell that you are not home, but if it is slightly open, it is easy to see from the cracks that no one is home, increasing the risk of theft. This is something to keep in mind.
- Do not bring valuables into the capsule.
- When leaving the capsule, take everything with you.
- When leaving the capsule, close the curtain at the entrance tightly so that no one will know you are not home.
Depending on the hotel, many capsule hotels do not have pockets for your clothes. I always carry a small cloth tote bag in which I put my phone, coin purse , etc.
Find the best restaurant deals at ichiyu,comDanger 2: Taking valuables into the large bathrooms and leaving them with your clothes to take a bath.
You may be afraid to leave your money, watch, etc. in the capsule when you go to the large bath or shower room, and you may take them with you.
However, this is extremely dangerous because shower rooms and large bathroom changing rooms are where many people come and go, and the shelves for clothes are just shelves and not locked (as far as I know, it was almost always like that).
In these situations, even if it is a hassle, I strongly recommend that you go to the locker room once, put the items in your own locker, lock the lock, and bring only the key into the large bathroom.
- Do not bring money, watches, smartphones, etc. into the main bath/shower rooms.
Danger 3: Bringing money into a rest room, etc., and then falling asleep, etc.
It is hard to imagine, but there may be such a case unexpectedly.
Capsule hotels have various facilities that everyone can use in common.
There are places with a lot of comic books, a large-screen TV, etc. Some people sleep there. Some people even sleep there.
However, there is a risk of theft if you bring in your wallet or other belongings and fall asleep.
As with the public baths, it is a general rule not to bring valuables into the restrooms, but if you do bring in some money, please be careful to put it in the back of your pocket or not sleep with it.
- When you bring money into the break room, keep it close to your body.
- Do not sleep when you bring money into the break room
Danger 4: After unlocking the door in the locker room, you end up moving from place to place due to phone calls, etc.
This one is a bit out of the question…
When unlocking the locker room to change clothes, etc., you may receive a phone call and inadvertently leave the room before locking the door. At such times, even for a short time, if someone has malicious intent, the locker room could be ransacked.
Your locker is the most important thing while you are in a capsule hotel.
Never leave it open and leave the place unattended.
- Never leave there with your locker unlocked.
Find a great restaurant on Ippkyu,comSummary of theft prevention at capsule hotels
I have written about“where to put your baggage and valuables” and“precautions to avoid theft” when using a capsule hotel.
Finally, to summarize what you should do to avoid such an incident, there are three points that I would like to repeat.
- Put your valuables in your own locker or dedicated box and lock it securely.Or leave them at the front desk.
- Keep what you bring into the capsule to a minimum(small change, earplugs, eye mask, etc., and if absolutely necessary, a smartphone).
- When you leave the capsule, always carry change, your phone, etc. with you(do not bring them into the main bathrooms or shower rooms).
This may have scared you a little.
But as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I’ve used this place quite a few times and have never had anything stolen.
You never know what can happen in a place where so many people congregate, so taking the minimum precautions for this purpose will ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
MacckeyHave an enjoyable trip!
I write reviews of capsule hotels and various other things to consider when using them. You can see a list of all articles related to capsule hotels and jump to each article in the “Articles” section. Please take a look if you like.
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