Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel

Situated right in the middle of Kabukicho's crazy night life, but entirely above board and surprisingly quiet inside. Reception is open 24/7, the front desk staff speak English, very clean and good locker and bathroom facilities (free toiletries) plus a shared area on the 4/F with a coin laundry, lots of table space, power sockets, vending machines, pamphlets on things to do. Perfect for my one night stay to grab a few hours sleep after landing at midnight in Haneda.

Despite all the free toiletries, unless I'm missing a trick, there were free toothbrushes but not toothpaste. The cleaning lady, bless her, was lovely but an absolute machine - she would wrest a bathmat from under your very feet in order to mop the floor. I guess the resulting anxiety is the price you pay for how immaculate the place is, despite what must be a massive turnover of guests. In some ways this place is a microcosm of Japanese society - I was ignorant of the fact that capsule hotels are mainly used by men (and the women who do use them more often than not choose the "luxury" variety). There were plenty of other women on the segregated 8/F but the sauna (the hostel's singular feature and one of the main reasons I chose it) is only for men! Alas! Also the men get waaaay better pjamas/yukata - in stylish and cool blue cotton, in contrast to garish and uncomfortable polyester pink for the ladies.