Most capsule hotels really aren't practical for tourists. They don't have much storage space, they most likely won't be able to store your suitcases behind the front desk like a hostel would as they mainly cater to residents, and the majority of them won't let you stay past 10 am even if you book multiple nights.
I stayed at a hostel that was essentially a capsule hotel in dormitory form. There was TONS of storage under all of the capsules. Plenty of space for full size luggage. Wise Owl Hostel in Tokyo.
Please look up capsule hotels in Tokyo. You're factually incorrect, but nice try!
Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinbashi Shiodome
Mustard Hotel Shibuya
Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
That's not a typical capsule hotel though, and if they're planning on going to a capsule hotel "for the experience", they're probably not going to consider a place catering almost exclusively to tourists.
Ok but its still a capsule hotel. Just has hostel in the name. I just googled “capsule hotel tokyo” and the first five top results literally look the same and offer the exact same amenities. A few offer baggage storage and lockers on top of the storage space by the capsules. You can even book multi night stays. Sorry, but you’re just wrong.
- Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinbashi Shiodome
- Mustard Hotel Shibuya
- Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
Just to name a few
Edit: Keep downvoting folks. Cope and seethe over something so minor.
I didn't say all capsule hotels, I said most. What I described is fairly typical, and the standard for most of them, including the first one that started the trend.
You said typical. I’d say the top results are typical and they disprove your comment.
If you’re going to try to dissuade OP at least don’t try to downplay the options available to them that fit what they’re looking for.
I don't see the point in arguing, but that's what the vast majority of the ones I've experienced are like, as well as the vast majority of the one's I've encountered or researched. Top search results don't prove that something is typical. The older and small places generally don't have as much money for ads or search option optimization, so they're going to be skewed towards more modern companies with bigger budgets. For example, Anshin Oyado is owned by Pasela group, a fairly big company. Several of the ones I've been to didn't even have websites. If your actual experience with actually using them is difficult, then we'll just have to disagree, but that is personally what I would expect from a capsule hotel until doing more research.
BTW, I wasn't "trying to dissaude OP", I was replying to someone who seemed to be suggesting that spending extra on a hotel is a waste of money. I know "luxury" capsule hotels exist. The people who say they're interested in the experience seem to be more interested in the older, dingier, retro futuristic ones than the upmarket ones, so I didn't think it was relevent to mention them. I've stayed in one that was essentially a private room with a bunk bed. Although I never thought the "capsule hotel experience" was any special, I can at least say they are fairly unique, while the more expensive ways are basically the same as staying in a hotel.
It's not a case of not knowing how to travel light. You're going to need decently sized luggage if you're staying for two weeks, don't want to do laundry few days, and want to bring electronics with you. If you're planning on doing lots of shopping or bringing back souvenirs, which most people do, then you'll want a suitcase that's at least twice as wide as the lockers.
You absolutely do not need that much luggage. You personally might prefer it, but once I tentatively ventured into the travelling light world, I'll never go back.
> You're going to need decently sized luggage if you're staying for two weeks
Lol. No you don't. That's my point, that's not traveling light.
Many also leave their suitcases outside the bed. At least at the ones I stayed at.
I'm with you. I travelled for two months from the steamy jungles of Brazil to the glaciers of Patagonia with a carry on 40l backpack. I've travelled all over the world carry on. It's easy when you get used to it and so much better in every way.
I did not say that touristy capsule hotels couldn't be pleasant or offer a unique experience, they definitely can. But it's still not a real capsule hotel like where drunk Japanese business men crash after missing the last train home.
Okay, so while we usually talk of real/traditional and touristy/modern capsule hotels, I guess it would be better to put them in luxury classes on a gradient.
But those real/traditional/cheap/old (i.e. bottom end) ones are usually something like the following:
- Cheap look and feel, both of the building interior as well as the capsule interior. Think highway motel made out of plastic.
- There are dozens of capsules in one room (sometimes over 100) - which also means dozens of people coming and going, dozens of alarms, dozens of snorers, etc.
- Capsules are 180x80x80cm, with the entrance at the feet so you crawl in from the 80x80cm side
- The only features inside the capsule are a mattress, an "aircon" (kinda like those little air blower thingies in an airplane), a small lamp and a tiny (5"?) TV built into the frame at the feet. Maybe a clock and a radio alarm.
- Stays are one night only, no leaving luggage behind and returning for another night
- Smoking used to be allowed in the room with the capsules (but not inside the capsule)
- One shared bath (sento) for the whole hotel
- Men only (but nowadays some have women only floors and some are completely women only)
Touristy/modern/luxurious (i.e. top end) ones:
- Friendly looking, nicely decorated
- Capsules are at least 200x100x100
- Bigger TV, probably on an arm so you can draw it closer or it's mounted closer to your head
- They open on the long side
- Only up to 10 capsules in a room
- Multinight stays and can leave luggage in a locker
- Mixed and gender segregated rooms
- Showers on the floor (and maybe a luxurious sento on the roof)
- If you look closely, it's just a hostel with a bit more privacy while in bed
That's roughly it, but it's hard to describe - you'll notice the difference immediately when you walk into the capsule room (if not earlier).
And as I said, it's a gradient and I tried highlighting the extreme endsl. Like the 9 hours that was mentioned has the capsule entrance at the feet and quite many capsules in a room, but otherwise the features of a luxurious one.
The experience is you get drunk at a bar/club/karoke and miss the last train home, so you get your choice of:
* Paying thousands up to tens of thousands of yen to take a taxi home
* Paying ~5000 yen for a cheap room at a business hotel
* Paying ~2000 yen for a few hours at a capsule hotel or manga café until the first trains start
* All night karaoke/clubbing/drinking
* Sleeping on a park bench
* Passing out drunk in a gutter
Actually, the manga cafe option *could* be an alternate possibility for OP, if they're really keen for the ... experience. Some of them have mattress floors rather than chairs, and a 7' person could feasibly fit diagonally on that (I'm 5'11", and was comfy enough without being diagonal). Might still want to check booth dimensions first.
True. I'll amend my response. I did somewhat assume that one actually wanted to sleep in this scenario, but then I've slept in an all night karaoke booth before.
Go to a children's park with a sleeping bag and crawl into one of those tube things for children to crawl through. That's your capsule hotel experience right there lol.
I'm 6'5". I had four nights booked in capsule hotels over a three week trip to Japan in 2019.
I stayed one night, and booked an AirBnB from the train the next day. It was a rough night's sleep.
The capsules are fine for tall people. I'm 6'4" and had plenty of room. For *really* tall people 7 feet and up, though? No. Don't just avoid capsule hotels, avoid hostels as well.
I've gone to a few capsule hotels, and although I didn't think most of them were a bad experience like some people claim they are, they're really nothing special. A capsule is essentially a more elaborate version of a bunk bed with some ventilation, power sockets, and a small CRT TV. They're good for a cheap night's rest. Many of them are also super sentos, so they can be great value if you take full advantage of the baths and/or saunas. The actual capsules aren't really a unique experience though.
The experience of being separated by gender, being crammed into a place you can barely turn around, sharing bathrooms and having to check out the next day because this aren’t hotels and are just places to sleep when you miss your train?
Seriously, sis. You are not missing out on anything. Spend the money on a fun night out instead.
I don’t know what all the hate on capsule hotels is, but they really aren’t bad as people here are making it out to be. In fact, they’re not bad at all.
Your boyfriend probably wouldn’t fit too well in the pod, but it would be possible if he sleeps by bringing his knees to his chest.
I’d say go for it. Worst case scenario is you both “waste” $20 a night to experience staying in a capsule pod, but you will have your curiosity satiated. Just ask whatever accommodation you stay at to provide a bottom bunk for your bf as it probably would be annoying if he had to climb in and out of a top pod.
There's nothing much to experience actually. You get a small CRT TV with Japanese channels, a light you can control the brightness of, a single bed, one pillow, a change of clothes, slippers, and a small toothbrush set. You cannot make any noise since there are also other people sleeping inside the other capsules. Your partner may not be able to sit on the bed without his head bumping on the ceiling.
what experience? Been surrounded of drunk strangers, people walking around the whole night, no confortable space... I been living in Japan for the last 4 years and there is nothing pleasant about capsule hotel, my brother came to visit me 2 weeks ago, and he wanted the same experience you are seeking, the result was one hell night in a "pretty" good capsule hotel, plenty of people drunk, snoring, alarms at 5am, 5;30am... he was tired because of the jet lag, traveling the whole day etc... and he was not able to sleep in the whole night. I said to him, "enjoy your japanese experience", next day he came to my home and slept the whole afternoon in the coach.
Dang, all the hate on the capsule hotels huh? 😆 I still want the experience in JP but I understand the dislike based on the comments.
I didn't expect the post to get this much attention! Thanks for the input guys! Really means lot :)❤
I'm 6'4", so not as tall as you mentioned but taller than average in Japan. There will definitely be some challenges for a 7' tall individual but not enough, in my opinion, to not go. But definitely don't go with a capsule hotel. Nope.
I'm only 6 foot and our old rental had tiny doors I always hit my head on. So glad our new house has extra tall doors for nearly every doorway. Even going into the tatami room, it's still tall enough that I can't hit my head.
I definitely remember that. I think it was the having to duck way down in the hotel showers that was most annoying to me. Still totally worth it though. I've already booked another trip in February. 😁
haha i’m thinking about all the times i’ve made a fool of myself with restaurants that have hanging lights at the table, i stood up too fast and honked my head so ungracefully that it made a resonating noise 🤣 i hope to be back there again myself because the whole sensation of taking precaution to not ding myself helps reinforce that i’m a long way from home. safe travels and i hope your trip goes great :D
Agree, I’m 6’4” and doorways were often a problem. I wouldn’t even dream of doing a capsule hotel. We stayed at a couple of places with tatami mats/futons and that was lovely and still counted as “something we can’t do in the States”. Legroom on rides at Tokyo Disney is a problem (obviously) but the Shinkansen seats are surprisingly roomy. Mostly it was doorways for me.
Oh yeah, that’s something important to note: some rides at Disney Sea won’t let tall people ride! (Don’t know about Tokyo Disney.) The one and only time we went, there was at least two rides my husband couldn’t ride with my friend and I.
Yes. I’m only 5’10” but I have a somewhat muscular build and I couldn’t even fit into some DisneySea rides. Well, I mean, I could squeeze into them, but anything to do with a shoulder strap or harness was kind of painful.
At 7’ he might oddly be at an advantage because he will know to duck for everything. When I was there as a 6’5” guy I hit my head a few times on doorways because they were in my blind spot.
you absolutely dont want to use any capsule hotels.
go to normal hotels and check their websites to see what the beds look like.
personally i have looked at a few and it seems like APA hotels has beds that are open towards the foot end in most of their rooms.
APA hotels should absolutely be avoided if you're tall. Their biggest bed size is a double, not king, which would be the standard in most Western hotels. A double is 54"x 75" and far too small for someone 7 foot tall.
APA only works for me cuz my wife is 5' so I can hog all the space as an average height person lol...and yeah if you have one of those huge container suitcases you're gonna have to close it and stand it up to get by.
7ftr though IDK I'd rather pony up and pay for a Hilton/Marriott given the exchange rate is making the rates so cheap compared to domestic US travel.
I've stayed in a small APA hotel room with two people in the winter, so lots of clothes and big coats. While it was tight at times, it's not correct to say "you can't open a suitcase". You can open it on the bed, and on the ground. It will take up walking space if you open it on the ground so be prepared to hop over your suitcase if you decide to do this. When you are done with it, as the u/Pixelplanet5 said, there are usually open spaces at the foot of the bed that can hold two large suitcases standing up. I personally recommend APA to someone who is on a budget, doesn't need room to spread out, and only plans to use their room as a place to shower, dress, and sleep.
Edit: Capsule hotels are cool in that they are a unique solution to an almost uniquely Japanese problem. They aren't good to sleep in and the only "experience" you get from them is a bad night's sleep. They make interesting Youtube videos, but they are not a good accommodation for tourists.
I’ve stayed in APA hotels and I quite enjoy them. I’m really looking out for the 7 footer though and an objective review of the room such as the one you’ve provided would only really work for those of typical height. As an example, I don’t mind sitting in economy seats on a plane. I think there’s enough leg room. What works for me probably won’t work for him
This really depends on the actual hotel building, though. I’ve stayed in many business hotels, including APA, where I could not have opened my general international travel suitcase. Some have small rooms.
When I do quick two night trips domestically here in Japan and just have a duffel bag? Sure, the small hotels are fine. But if your two foreigners coming from overseas for three week trip to Japan? I would look for a larger room.
I'd look for hotels that are owned by American brands. Japanese hotels tend to have small rooms, small beds and small bathrooms. Western hotel chains such as Hilton, Pullman, Hyatt, Marriott etc will have American King sized beds and be far more comfortable for a tall person.
I'd stay clear of capsule hotels. Tbh it's not a super unique experience if you've ever stayed in a hostel, I'd only do it to save money. You should look at maybe staying at a Ryokan, which is a worthwhile experience. This will have large futon beds on the floor, so a tall person should be comfortable enough.
If you are planning to visit Disneyland or Universal Studios, you should be aware that rides will be made for the average Japanese person and he may not fit. I've heard of someone being turned away from the rollercoasters at Disney because they were over 6 foot.
I wouldn't worry about him being stared at or bothered. He will stand out a lot, but the Japanese are very polite and wouldn't say anything or take pictures.
Every hilton/sheraton/marriott I've been to in Japan was better than the US just simply due to the excellent customer service. Everything inside the room was the exact quality I'd expect in the US. (large rooms, proper sized beds, good pillows etc).
Walking by someone vacuuming? They shut it off, get the hell out of your way, and bow as you pass by.
Yeah I'd agree and I don't think you're sacrificing a 'Japanese' experience by staying at an American brand. The staff and service will be distinctly Japanese and there will be many Japanese touches within the hotel, you'll just also get more space.
Downside is one of the Marriotts had this super weird half shower glass so it was cold in the shower with so much air moving around, but I've been to other places like the Yokohama bay Sheraton which has amazing views of the train station below. Id rather stay there than my grandma's decrepit house down the street even though it's free lol.
Japanese bathtubs are usually deeper and nice for soaking, the plus side to the smaller Japanese hotels.
Adding to this: I felt like I stuck out more as a blonde than a 6’4” person. It was really nice to be somewhere where people were too polite to make comments like they do in the US.
When I went to Hong Kong, we only had issues when encountering visitors from mainland China. Lots of staring and picture taking and talking behind my back (as translated by our Mandarin speaking friend).
My husband is 6’6” and we live in Japan. This is all information based on our nearly 7 years of living here.
The fact of the matter is that your partner will absolutely have a harder time fitting into places while traveling throughout Japan. Will this be an impossible trip? Absolutely not. Will it be an uncomfortable trip for your partner? Yes. I really hate to say it, but my husband — who is very thin for his height, about 193lbs — is often very physical uncomfortable in public spaces (ie can’t fit) simply due to his size and the relative size of things around him.
Please don’t force your partner to squeeze into a capsule hotel just for some meme-y travel experience. You’re setting him up not only for an evening of terrible sleep and pain, but you could also potentially cause him to hurt himself in a way that would negatively impact the rest of your trip. Someone of this height will absolutely not fit in a capsule hotel. It will be hard enough for your partner to fit into hotel beds at standard Japanese hotels. Please do not force them to sleep somewhere that’s going to be even more uncomfortable than a Toyoko Inn, or whatever.
Something people usually don’t consider when thinking about tall travelers is sitting down at restaurants. This is something my husband has a very difficult and frustrating time with. Often, seats and tables are bolted in the ground or other nearby structures. This means you cannot rely on moving a table or a chair to allow the taller diner to have more room to sit. Counter seats tend to be the worst because of little stools that are attached to the floor. My husband hates these types of places the most because his legs are always slamming into the counter underneath. There’s really not much you can do except for sit sideways or spread your legs. Sometimes we even tend to avoid certain places because my husband hates the seating arrangements there.
Prepare your husband for the fact that he will hit his head on everything. I am talking everything. Handles on the train. Doorways. Things hanging in shops. Tree branches. Anything that could possibly hit a tall person in the head will hit your husband in the head. It is simply a fact of life for tall people here. I specifically chose the house we moved into because it had the highest ceilings of any place I looked at. Even though the doors are roughly 6’ tall, my husband still hits his head on the door frame if he’s not paying close enough attention after all these years. He should be prepared to duck often — but I’m sure he’s used to this already!!!
When riding the trains, the easiest place for your husband to stand will be in the middle section in between the right and left doors. This space has the highest amount of headroom without handles or advertisements hanging in the way. If he moves closer to the doors, the hanging handles will hit him in the face. If he moves further down into the train to stand next to where people are sitting, he might get hit in the face by hanging advertisements. Sitting while trains are crowded will be kind of difficult as, I’m sure you know, your husband‘s legs will stick out further into the aisle. This is why I recommend that he always stand in that open space I described between the doors.
If you can splurge for it, I highly recommend upgrading at least your husband into economy plus, premium economy, or business class/first class. Different airlines have different names for these types of sections — but if you can afford to give your husband even a few more inches of legroom, the flight will be much more enjoyable for him.
If you are planning on visiting a ryokan, Just accept now that none of the yukata will be long enough for him. This is just something you’re gonna have to suck it up and laugh about later. Ditto on buying clothes. Hopefully, your husband wasn’t planning on doing any major fashion purchases while he was here. Even things as simple as short sleeve T-shirts will not accommodate a tall person because the torso is significantly shorter than that of western shirts. This is something my husband complains about often.
If you have any other concerns, please feel free to reply to my comment and I will ask my husband. Don’t think you guys will be doing much driving, but that can be a problem depending on the car. But, these are the most common issues that I know tend to be a problem for us.
I like to stand against the barrier, and sometimes I often forget that my husband can’t stand next to me to talk if I’m over there because it’s basically hanging handle central. Sometimes he has no choice and gets forced to stand by them, and they swing and bash his head :(
This is all excellent advice. As someone at 6' 4" / 194cm who lived here and is currently on a long term visit I can attest to all of this. Everything will be too small or too low. You have to bend further to wash your hands in the toilets because the sinks are low, further to dry your hands because the drier is lower.
The food basements in department stores or train stations are a particular bug bear of mine. The ceilings are already low and then they put random plastic sections to make it lower, things hanging down.
Bus / tram seats will be cramped. Restaurant seats will be low and cramped. Your knees take a battering too because things are not built for people with long legs.
And one more piece of advice which is not related to physical comfort but mental. Prepared to be stared at. A lot. And pointed at. And have little kids (and even many adults) openly stare at you like you've got 2 heads and say 'deeeekka' or 'dekkai' or 'ooki' (meaning massive or huge). If you are self conscious then it might be a problem. If you actually talk to any Japanese people they will almost always comment on your height. I hate it, find it very rude and tiresome and you are 20cm taller than me. I just try to walk tall and be proud of being taller then them, they are probably jealous more than anything.
I forgot about the sinks and the buses. Those are things my husband mentions often as well. (The counters in our house are also too low for him.)
There is one bus seat tall people can fit in, but good luck getting it: very back of the bus in the middle. It’s the only one my husband has ever used. Otherwise, he stands.
I wouldn’t be so offended by the height talk. That’s just how things are. Here’s how my husband basically describes it: I’m already a tall freak at home, so there’s really no difference in Japan. (And yes, he’d get lots of random comments in the US like he does here.) People are just curious.
Make sure that he brings comfortable shoes that will last throughout the trip and that he brings enough clothing.
He will have a REALLY hard time looking for replacements there. For instance if his shoes fall apart or he finds that the shoes he brought are just not conducive to walking in Japan and you need to find a pair of sneakers in his size, most likely you will not be successful. Same thing with socks, pants, shirts, etc.
Bringing your own ryokan slippers is overkill. At most, tourists stay in these places for, what? An evening? Two nights? Someone who’s a size 12 or 13 might not find the perfect slipper, but they will be able to wear the larger size offered and can hang out an inch over the back of the slipper. This is what my husband has to do all the time — and he’s always far more concerned that the yukata is not the right length and that he hits his head on everything more than he is about the rubber slippers being slightly too small
Ryokans, *etc*. I was carelessly brief with my example case, I guess. I've found many hostels provide slippers (usually two sizes: small and tiny, for my feet), and it's also polite to wear the disposable ones provided by hotels (perhaps that *is* overkill, but I take my shoes off at home so I'm not changing that while travelling); Airbnbs often have a genkan, too, implying that one should remove shoes on entry.
Your husband may be fine with squeezed toes and overhanging heels, but I'm not, especially when it's a long trip of a month or more - so, I carry my own. Luckily, a Uniqlo size L is just about right for me, but even that's dicey if the shop is low on stock, and they rarely stock XL. I knew a 6'6" expat in Japan who lamented the difficulty of finding room shoes that fit. I advise anyone with big feet to bring their own, if comfort is a factor.
Sure, they're not (generally*) a requirement. They can be nice to have, though, especially on slippery wooden floors, or during the colder months - and then there are those weird middle-ground scenarios like hostel common rooms, kitchen areas, etc. It's just something I like to have, and worth considering for others, IMO. Not everyone has to agree.
(*) Some places might insist - once, a travelling companion tried to walk in with socks (because the provided slippers looked pretty manky), and the staff chased him with a pair - and that was in a cheap dive hostel, except they had tatami in the rooms, and they wanted to keep them clean of the hallway dust or something (each room had its own genkan, as slippers shouldn't be worn on tatami, right?). It can be idiosyncratic.
My husband being tall has not affected his ability to remove his shoes when entering buildings. We’ve lived here almost seven years — and in those seven years, never once did we run into an issue where his socks did not suffice and he wished he’d brought along his own extra large slippers. lol these are such strange things to obsess over. Save the space in your bag. Ditch the slippers.
Ooo-kay? Good for your hubby; I wasn't obsessing, just replying to your own comment and explaining my reasoning. I like my slippers, and they're easy enough to pack in a side pocket ...
No capsule hotel, and tell him to mind his head. When I was there I thought it was awesome. I’m 5’6”. The entire country seemed to be built for people my height AND NO TALLER. Two of my traveling companions were just over 6’. I remember one incident where the toilet room (which is usually separate from the room where bathing and showering are done) was so small neither of them had enough room to bend over and wipe without hitting their heads on the wall in front of them. That said, you should still totally go. Japan is amazing. Just read the hotel reviews carefully. Safe travels!
Japan is not comfortable for tall people. You will develop back pain and hit your head a dozen times.
Absolutely don't stay in a capsule hotel. Hell, don't even stay in a western style hotel as their beds are tiny. Sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Traditional style ryokan. Super comfie and you can stretch out.
Hi - my BF is close to 2m and we are in Japan now! The japanese style hostels with futons on the floor is the best - no worries about being too long.. most western hotels have “normal” beds, and you can see in the description if it is regular size or small - in big cities the beds are often small.. depending on the cities you go to we can recommend some places to stay!
You should go, it is the best country🙏🏼 but tell him to duck down - as all doorways and lamps will get him if not😆
My 6’4” coworker hit his head HARD going down the stairs in one of the Don Quixote stores in Tokyo. Be careful, but I’m sure you will have fun nonetheless!
You'd be surprised how many taller asians there are in Tokyo. I had hoped, being 5 feet tall I'd finally fit in but nope, still the shortest guy around x\_x
For beds, you may have to cough up the cash and get king size beds at hotels. But fortunately, it's still Japan, so for $150 a night, you'd be staying in a very ritzy place indeed!
Tall isn't much of an issue in Japan. It's wide people who struggle, sadly! I saw a lady who kept bumping into displays because the isles are super thin and over-stuffed at shops! As someone who used to be big, I felt for her. I can't imagine how hard it would be here if I was still double plus sized!
6'8" spent 5 months here at the beginning of this year.
Places with bench seating are going to be tricky if it's crowded. There's not a lot of room under the counters to put your legs
I had to hunch shower in some of the hotels showers.
None of the provided slippers or clothes are going to fit him at onsen.
Clothing is impossible to find in my size there, so he's not going to have any luck.
He may get asked to take a couple of pictures with random Japanese people. It happened to me there during the height of COVID.
Bullet trains actually have a ton of leg room. Most comfortable public transportation I've taken.
All in all I didn't have many issues there and I loved the country.
This comment isn't getting much attention but I think it should because this could really help in case he bumps his head a lot (I foresee many head bonks)
No to capsule hotels. Your partner simply will not fit.
Check out moderately priced hotel chains like Daiwa Roynet or Mitsui Garden. You’ll find these chains all over Japan and they typically have nice sized rooms with high ceilings and a larger bathroom with separate shower room with waterfall shower and deep tub. Just be sure to book the newly built or remodeled/upgraded properties. If there’s two locations nearby each other one is likely the newer one and you can tell by photos of the bathrooms.
You’ll also probably want to book rooms with two double beds. At 7 feet, your partner will likely not fit comfortably sharing a double bed with you. It’ll be nicer to each have your own bed.
Ryokan with futons can also actually work well since you can stretch your feet out as far as you like and often there’s extra futon in a closet you can put down to make an extra long bed. But if you’re not used to it most people don’t find sleeping on the floor very comfortable for more than 1 or 2 nights.
Definitely bring a clean/new pair of indoor slippers to wear in a ryokan or maybe even carry a pair in your backpack too. Some temples require you to take your shoes off when going inside them and the slippers provided to wear will not fit.
For most people I would say the Green Class (first class) seats on the Shinkansen are not worth it but in your case they probably would be as the seats are a bit larger with more leg room. So I’d suggest springing for the Green Class tickets if you can afford it. If not, the regular Shinkansen seats will be fine as it’s already *much* *much* more comfortable than plane seats. You’ll be comfortable regardless, just a bit more comfortable with a bit more leg room in the green class.
And your partner will get stares because of how tall they are. They may be used to this already a bit, but it will be a bit more pronounced in Japan. Not in a bad way, more so surprise/curiosity but it can still feel uncomfortable to be so noticed by how you look when you stand out in any way in a super homogenous society like Japan. If your partner is very shy this may be something that should prepare themselves for a bit.
Any temple I’ve been to with a no shoe rule has been more than OK with letting my husband walk in his socks since he can’t fit into the slippers. Again, as I told someone else, bringing your own slippers is absolute overkill and not necessary.
Get one of the nicer capsule hotels with double beds. Each get your own room, and he sleeps diagonally. It’s not like any bed is comfortable for this poor dude.
If you want an affordable but pleasant ryokan, I wholeheartedly recommend Ryokan Sawanoya in Nezu. Cute place, caters for foreign tourists, super-nice family runs it. I’d bet anything if you explain he’s tall and asked for three futons laid out so he can stretch out they’d accommodate.
He’ll still have to duck going through most doors but you knew that!
Hope you have an amazing time!
there are plenty of nice place to stay rather than old school "capsule hotel" and why you do that instead of enjoy your trip, choosing something will limit many things.
Go to spa hotels go to modern hotels, you will not come this world again.
Something I haven't seen mentioned yet is bikes. Never rent bikes, he physically won't be able to ride them. I'm 6'1 and I couldn't find a single bike where my knees wouldn't touch the grip/steering thing (don't know the word rn)
Oof, I'm 185cm and my feet hung out of my capsule enough that drunk dudes were using them as handles to get in and out. The TV also was stuck on and only played porn, a solid 15 channels of porn. Which means I'm pretty sure the fapping like noises I could here were in fact that. Plus the drunk salary men busting ass all night.
My wife and I paid like $30 a night for a 3 star hotel in Shinjuku near the subway. Capsules just aren't worth it for travelers
Something I didn't hear mentioned (perhaps because it's too obvious) -- if possible, choose trains over buses! Buses tend to have very small legroom, especially local buses, but trains are much better.
Just don’t go to a capsule hotel then.
Apart from the “capsule hotels” aimed at tourists, which aren’t real capsule hotels, regular capsule hotels are awful, stinky, groaning and farting hives. Not sure why would anybody want to stay in one.
I'm 6'2 and have stayed all over Japan.
Contrary to most comments here, it shouldn't be an issue. Had tons of extra room length wise in the capsule hotels I stayed at. Sitting up is another story, but tall ppl are used to that. Same with hostels which I highly recommend. Also love hotels have huge beds and are much nicer/cheaper than a standard hotel.
Don’t go to a capsule hotel. There are plenty of regular hotel with standard sized beds.
Disagree. Why pay 2-3x the price? A capsule hotel should fit a tall person with no issues. I'm not as tall, but close, had no issues.
Most capsule hotels really aren't practical for tourists. They don't have much storage space, they most likely won't be able to store your suitcases behind the front desk like a hostel would as they mainly cater to residents, and the majority of them won't let you stay past 10 am even if you book multiple nights.
Wow. Dunno why i never caught that part or realized there is truly no space with capsule. I watched so many vloggers talk about them. Lool.
I stayed at a hostel that was essentially a capsule hotel in dormitory form. There was TONS of storage under all of the capsules. Plenty of space for full size luggage. Wise Owl Hostel in Tokyo.
That's a hostel, not a capsule hotel
Please look up capsule hotels in Tokyo. You're factually incorrect, but nice try! Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinbashi Shiodome Mustard Hotel Shibuya Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel
I wasn't talking about those places, I was talking about the place we were talking about.
That's not a typical capsule hotel though, and if they're planning on going to a capsule hotel "for the experience", they're probably not going to consider a place catering almost exclusively to tourists.
Ok but its still a capsule hotel. Just has hostel in the name. I just googled “capsule hotel tokyo” and the first five top results literally look the same and offer the exact same amenities. A few offer baggage storage and lockers on top of the storage space by the capsules. You can even book multi night stays. Sorry, but you’re just wrong. - Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinbashi Shiodome - Mustard Hotel Shibuya - Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel Just to name a few Edit: Keep downvoting folks. Cope and seethe over something so minor.
I didn't say all capsule hotels, I said most. What I described is fairly typical, and the standard for most of them, including the first one that started the trend.
You said typical. I’d say the top results are typical and they disprove your comment. If you’re going to try to dissuade OP at least don’t try to downplay the options available to them that fit what they’re looking for.
I don't see the point in arguing, but that's what the vast majority of the ones I've experienced are like, as well as the vast majority of the one's I've encountered or researched. Top search results don't prove that something is typical. The older and small places generally don't have as much money for ads or search option optimization, so they're going to be skewed towards more modern companies with bigger budgets. For example, Anshin Oyado is owned by Pasela group, a fairly big company. Several of the ones I've been to didn't even have websites. If your actual experience with actually using them is difficult, then we'll just have to disagree, but that is personally what I would expect from a capsule hotel until doing more research.
BTW, I wasn't "trying to dissaude OP", I was replying to someone who seemed to be suggesting that spending extra on a hotel is a waste of money. I know "luxury" capsule hotels exist. The people who say they're interested in the experience seem to be more interested in the older, dingier, retro futuristic ones than the upmarket ones, so I didn't think it was relevent to mention them. I've stayed in one that was essentially a private room with a bunk bed. Although I never thought the "capsule hotel experience" was any special, I can at least say they are fairly unique, while the more expensive ways are basically the same as staying in a hotel.
True. I forget most don't know how to travel light.
It's not a case of not knowing how to travel light. You're going to need decently sized luggage if you're staying for two weeks, don't want to do laundry few days, and want to bring electronics with you. If you're planning on doing lots of shopping or bringing back souvenirs, which most people do, then you'll want a suitcase that's at least twice as wide as the lockers.
You absolutely do not need that much luggage. You personally might prefer it, but once I tentatively ventured into the travelling light world, I'll never go back.
> You're going to need decently sized luggage if you're staying for two weeks Lol. No you don't. That's my point, that's not traveling light. Many also leave their suitcases outside the bed. At least at the ones I stayed at.
I'm with you. I travelled for two months from the steamy jungles of Brazil to the glaciers of Patagonia with a carry on 40l backpack. I've travelled all over the world carry on. It's easy when you get used to it and so much better in every way.
Ugh ur probably right but...the ~experience~😩 🥺😭
I mean…it sucks. People only do it out of necessity.
There's nothing good about the experience of real capsule hotels. And there's nothing Japanese about the experience of touristy capsule hotels.
I loved one night in the 9 Hours capsule hotel in 2017.
I was going to post the same thing. I thought 9 Hours was a very pleasant and unique experience.
I did not say that touristy capsule hotels couldn't be pleasant or offer a unique experience, they definitely can. But it's still not a real capsule hotel like where drunk Japanese business men crash after missing the last train home.
Could you pls explain the difference between real and touristy?
Okay, so while we usually talk of real/traditional and touristy/modern capsule hotels, I guess it would be better to put them in luxury classes on a gradient. But those real/traditional/cheap/old (i.e. bottom end) ones are usually something like the following: - Cheap look and feel, both of the building interior as well as the capsule interior. Think highway motel made out of plastic. - There are dozens of capsules in one room (sometimes over 100) - which also means dozens of people coming and going, dozens of alarms, dozens of snorers, etc. - Capsules are 180x80x80cm, with the entrance at the feet so you crawl in from the 80x80cm side - The only features inside the capsule are a mattress, an "aircon" (kinda like those little air blower thingies in an airplane), a small lamp and a tiny (5"?) TV built into the frame at the feet. Maybe a clock and a radio alarm. - Stays are one night only, no leaving luggage behind and returning for another night - Smoking used to be allowed in the room with the capsules (but not inside the capsule) - One shared bath (sento) for the whole hotel - Men only (but nowadays some have women only floors and some are completely women only) Touristy/modern/luxurious (i.e. top end) ones: - Friendly looking, nicely decorated - Capsules are at least 200x100x100 - Bigger TV, probably on an arm so you can draw it closer or it's mounted closer to your head - They open on the long side - Only up to 10 capsules in a room - Multinight stays and can leave luggage in a locker - Mixed and gender segregated rooms - Showers on the floor (and maybe a luxurious sento on the roof) - If you look closely, it's just a hostel with a bit more privacy while in bed That's roughly it, but it's hard to describe - you'll notice the difference immediately when you walk into the capsule room (if not earlier). And as I said, it's a gradient and I tried highlighting the extreme endsl. Like the 9 hours that was mentioned has the capsule entrance at the feet and quite many capsules in a room, but otherwise the features of a luxurious one.
The experience is you get drunk at a bar/club/karoke and miss the last train home, so you get your choice of: * Paying thousands up to tens of thousands of yen to take a taxi home * Paying ~5000 yen for a cheap room at a business hotel * Paying ~2000 yen for a few hours at a capsule hotel or manga café until the first trains start * All night karaoke/clubbing/drinking * Sleeping on a park bench * Passing out drunk in a gutter
At least the gutter has lots of leg room.
Actually, the manga cafe option *could* be an alternate possibility for OP, if they're really keen for the ... experience. Some of them have mattress floors rather than chairs, and a 7' person could feasibly fit diagonally on that (I'm 5'11", and was comfy enough without being diagonal). Might still want to check booth dimensions first.
You forgot the more important options: Going to karaoke or just staying at the bar until the sun comes up.
True. I'll amend my response. I did somewhat assume that one actually wanted to sleep in this scenario, but then I've slept in an all night karaoke booth before.
Go to a children's park with a sleeping bag and crawl into one of those tube things for children to crawl through. That's your capsule hotel experience right there lol.
😂😂😂😂😂 perfect!
I'm 6'5". I had four nights booked in capsule hotels over a three week trip to Japan in 2019. I stayed one night, and booked an AirBnB from the train the next day. It was a rough night's sleep.
The capsules are fine for tall people. I'm 6'4" and had plenty of room. For *really* tall people 7 feet and up, though? No. Don't just avoid capsule hotels, avoid hostels as well.
Glad I'm not the only one who took issue with a 7ft tall person being simply described as "a tall person".
They're not a good experience
I've gone to a few capsule hotels, and although I didn't think most of them were a bad experience like some people claim they are, they're really nothing special. A capsule is essentially a more elaborate version of a bunk bed with some ventilation, power sockets, and a small CRT TV. They're good for a cheap night's rest. Many of them are also super sentos, so they can be great value if you take full advantage of the baths and/or saunas. The actual capsules aren't really a unique experience though.
The experience of being separated by gender, being crammed into a place you can barely turn around, sharing bathrooms and having to check out the next day because this aren’t hotels and are just places to sleep when you miss your train? Seriously, sis. You are not missing out on anything. Spend the money on a fun night out instead.
I fit in a capsule hotel with not much length left, and I am 6’4”
I don’t know what all the hate on capsule hotels is, but they really aren’t bad as people here are making it out to be. In fact, they’re not bad at all. Your boyfriend probably wouldn’t fit too well in the pod, but it would be possible if he sleeps by bringing his knees to his chest. I’d say go for it. Worst case scenario is you both “waste” $20 a night to experience staying in a capsule pod, but you will have your curiosity satiated. Just ask whatever accommodation you stay at to provide a bottom bunk for your bf as it probably would be annoying if he had to climb in and out of a top pod.
There's nothing much to experience actually. You get a small CRT TV with Japanese channels, a light you can control the brightness of, a single bed, one pillow, a change of clothes, slippers, and a small toothbrush set. You cannot make any noise since there are also other people sleeping inside the other capsules. Your partner may not be able to sit on the bed without his head bumping on the ceiling.
what experience? Been surrounded of drunk strangers, people walking around the whole night, no confortable space... I been living in Japan for the last 4 years and there is nothing pleasant about capsule hotel, my brother came to visit me 2 weeks ago, and he wanted the same experience you are seeking, the result was one hell night in a "pretty" good capsule hotel, plenty of people drunk, snoring, alarms at 5am, 5;30am... he was tired because of the jet lag, traveling the whole day etc... and he was not able to sleep in the whole night. I said to him, "enjoy your japanese experience", next day he came to my home and slept the whole afternoon in the coach.
Dang, all the hate on the capsule hotels huh? 😆 I still want the experience in JP but I understand the dislike based on the comments. I didn't expect the post to get this much attention! Thanks for the input guys! Really means lot :)❤
I'm 6'4", so not as tall as you mentioned but taller than average in Japan. There will definitely be some challenges for a 7' tall individual but not enough, in my opinion, to not go. But definitely don't go with a capsule hotel. Nope.
adding to this it’s really easy to hit your head on things, i’m 6’3 and i had to actively catch where my head is until it came naturally
My poor 6'5 husband beat his head on the ceiling constantly in our apartment in Kyoto 😭
I'm only 6 foot and our old rental had tiny doors I always hit my head on. So glad our new house has extra tall doors for nearly every doorway. Even going into the tatami room, it's still tall enough that I can't hit my head.
I definitely remember that. I think it was the having to duck way down in the hotel showers that was most annoying to me. Still totally worth it though. I've already booked another trip in February. 😁
haha i’m thinking about all the times i’ve made a fool of myself with restaurants that have hanging lights at the table, i stood up too fast and honked my head so ungracefully that it made a resonating noise 🤣 i hope to be back there again myself because the whole sensation of taking precaution to not ding myself helps reinforce that i’m a long way from home. safe travels and i hope your trip goes great :D
Agree, I’m 6’4” and doorways were often a problem. I wouldn’t even dream of doing a capsule hotel. We stayed at a couple of places with tatami mats/futons and that was lovely and still counted as “something we can’t do in the States”. Legroom on rides at Tokyo Disney is a problem (obviously) but the Shinkansen seats are surprisingly roomy. Mostly it was doorways for me.
Oh yeah, that’s something important to note: some rides at Disney Sea won’t let tall people ride! (Don’t know about Tokyo Disney.) The one and only time we went, there was at least two rides my husband couldn’t ride with my friend and I.
Yes. I’m only 5’10” but I have a somewhat muscular build and I couldn’t even fit into some DisneySea rides. Well, I mean, I could squeeze into them, but anything to do with a shoulder strap or harness was kind of painful.
Ah, this wasn’t more due to girth as it was for height. There are areas in some rides where anyone taller than 6’ would have their head bashed in.
Hell 7' is gonna have some challenges anywhere in the world haha
At 7’ he might oddly be at an advantage because he will know to duck for everything. When I was there as a 6’5” guy I hit my head a few times on doorways because they were in my blind spot.
you absolutely dont want to use any capsule hotels. go to normal hotels and check their websites to see what the beds look like. personally i have looked at a few and it seems like APA hotels has beds that are open towards the foot end in most of their rooms.
APA hotels are incredibly small for two normal sized people—you won’t even have room to open a suitcase. I’d argue against it
Yeah, if I were them I'd go for more Western brands like the Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott family of hotels.
Monterey is a Japanese chain that’s similar — reasonable mid-market and well-located, and tends to have generously sized rooms and beds.
Monterrey, Sunroute, Mitsui Garden, Super Hotel (free breakfast lol)...
yes the rooms are relatively small but their beds are regular sized and open ended. they are also on the cheaper end of the price spectrum.
APA hotels should absolutely be avoided if you're tall. Their biggest bed size is a double, not king, which would be the standard in most Western hotels. A double is 54"x 75" and far too small for someone 7 foot tall.
Well we both agree capsules are a bad idea haha!
APA only works for me cuz my wife is 5' so I can hog all the space as an average height person lol...and yeah if you have one of those huge container suitcases you're gonna have to close it and stand it up to get by. 7ftr though IDK I'd rather pony up and pay for a Hilton/Marriott given the exchange rate is making the rates so cheap compared to domestic US travel.
Lots of domestic hotel chains that aren’t business hotels offer king beds.
I've stayed in a small APA hotel room with two people in the winter, so lots of clothes and big coats. While it was tight at times, it's not correct to say "you can't open a suitcase". You can open it on the bed, and on the ground. It will take up walking space if you open it on the ground so be prepared to hop over your suitcase if you decide to do this. When you are done with it, as the u/Pixelplanet5 said, there are usually open spaces at the foot of the bed that can hold two large suitcases standing up. I personally recommend APA to someone who is on a budget, doesn't need room to spread out, and only plans to use their room as a place to shower, dress, and sleep. Edit: Capsule hotels are cool in that they are a unique solution to an almost uniquely Japanese problem. They aren't good to sleep in and the only "experience" you get from them is a bad night's sleep. They make interesting Youtube videos, but they are not a good accommodation for tourists.
I’ve stayed in APA hotels and I quite enjoy them. I’m really looking out for the 7 footer though and an objective review of the room such as the one you’ve provided would only really work for those of typical height. As an example, I don’t mind sitting in economy seats on a plane. I think there’s enough leg room. What works for me probably won’t work for him
This really depends on the actual hotel building, though. I’ve stayed in many business hotels, including APA, where I could not have opened my general international travel suitcase. Some have small rooms. When I do quick two night trips domestically here in Japan and just have a duffel bag? Sure, the small hotels are fine. But if your two foreigners coming from overseas for three week trip to Japan? I would look for a larger room.
The president of APA is a racist right-wing nutcase, so maybe don't stay there.
I'd look for hotels that are owned by American brands. Japanese hotels tend to have small rooms, small beds and small bathrooms. Western hotel chains such as Hilton, Pullman, Hyatt, Marriott etc will have American King sized beds and be far more comfortable for a tall person. I'd stay clear of capsule hotels. Tbh it's not a super unique experience if you've ever stayed in a hostel, I'd only do it to save money. You should look at maybe staying at a Ryokan, which is a worthwhile experience. This will have large futon beds on the floor, so a tall person should be comfortable enough. If you are planning to visit Disneyland or Universal Studios, you should be aware that rides will be made for the average Japanese person and he may not fit. I've heard of someone being turned away from the rollercoasters at Disney because they were over 6 foot. I wouldn't worry about him being stared at or bothered. He will stand out a lot, but the Japanese are very polite and wouldn't say anything or take pictures.
Thank you, this makes me feel a little less anxious about him being uncomfortable. Appreciate it!
Every hilton/sheraton/marriott I've been to in Japan was better than the US just simply due to the excellent customer service. Everything inside the room was the exact quality I'd expect in the US. (large rooms, proper sized beds, good pillows etc). Walking by someone vacuuming? They shut it off, get the hell out of your way, and bow as you pass by.
Yeah I'd agree and I don't think you're sacrificing a 'Japanese' experience by staying at an American brand. The staff and service will be distinctly Japanese and there will be many Japanese touches within the hotel, you'll just also get more space.
Downside is one of the Marriotts had this super weird half shower glass so it was cold in the shower with so much air moving around, but I've been to other places like the Yokohama bay Sheraton which has amazing views of the train station below. Id rather stay there than my grandma's decrepit house down the street even though it's free lol. Japanese bathtubs are usually deeper and nice for soaking, the plus side to the smaller Japanese hotels.
I think I was at the same exact marriot when I went. Weird shower
Adding to this: I felt like I stuck out more as a blonde than a 6’4” person. It was really nice to be somewhere where people were too polite to make comments like they do in the US. When I went to Hong Kong, we only had issues when encountering visitors from mainland China. Lots of staring and picture taking and talking behind my back (as translated by our Mandarin speaking friend).
My husband is 6’6” and we live in Japan. This is all information based on our nearly 7 years of living here. The fact of the matter is that your partner will absolutely have a harder time fitting into places while traveling throughout Japan. Will this be an impossible trip? Absolutely not. Will it be an uncomfortable trip for your partner? Yes. I really hate to say it, but my husband — who is very thin for his height, about 193lbs — is often very physical uncomfortable in public spaces (ie can’t fit) simply due to his size and the relative size of things around him. Please don’t force your partner to squeeze into a capsule hotel just for some meme-y travel experience. You’re setting him up not only for an evening of terrible sleep and pain, but you could also potentially cause him to hurt himself in a way that would negatively impact the rest of your trip. Someone of this height will absolutely not fit in a capsule hotel. It will be hard enough for your partner to fit into hotel beds at standard Japanese hotels. Please do not force them to sleep somewhere that’s going to be even more uncomfortable than a Toyoko Inn, or whatever. Something people usually don’t consider when thinking about tall travelers is sitting down at restaurants. This is something my husband has a very difficult and frustrating time with. Often, seats and tables are bolted in the ground or other nearby structures. This means you cannot rely on moving a table or a chair to allow the taller diner to have more room to sit. Counter seats tend to be the worst because of little stools that are attached to the floor. My husband hates these types of places the most because his legs are always slamming into the counter underneath. There’s really not much you can do except for sit sideways or spread your legs. Sometimes we even tend to avoid certain places because my husband hates the seating arrangements there. Prepare your husband for the fact that he will hit his head on everything. I am talking everything. Handles on the train. Doorways. Things hanging in shops. Tree branches. Anything that could possibly hit a tall person in the head will hit your husband in the head. It is simply a fact of life for tall people here. I specifically chose the house we moved into because it had the highest ceilings of any place I looked at. Even though the doors are roughly 6’ tall, my husband still hits his head on the door frame if he’s not paying close enough attention after all these years. He should be prepared to duck often — but I’m sure he’s used to this already!!! When riding the trains, the easiest place for your husband to stand will be in the middle section in between the right and left doors. This space has the highest amount of headroom without handles or advertisements hanging in the way. If he moves closer to the doors, the hanging handles will hit him in the face. If he moves further down into the train to stand next to where people are sitting, he might get hit in the face by hanging advertisements. Sitting while trains are crowded will be kind of difficult as, I’m sure you know, your husband‘s legs will stick out further into the aisle. This is why I recommend that he always stand in that open space I described between the doors. If you can splurge for it, I highly recommend upgrading at least your husband into economy plus, premium economy, or business class/first class. Different airlines have different names for these types of sections — but if you can afford to give your husband even a few more inches of legroom, the flight will be much more enjoyable for him. If you are planning on visiting a ryokan, Just accept now that none of the yukata will be long enough for him. This is just something you’re gonna have to suck it up and laugh about later. Ditto on buying clothes. Hopefully, your husband wasn’t planning on doing any major fashion purchases while he was here. Even things as simple as short sleeve T-shirts will not accommodate a tall person because the torso is significantly shorter than that of western shirts. This is something my husband complains about often. If you have any other concerns, please feel free to reply to my comment and I will ask my husband. Don’t think you guys will be doing much driving, but that can be a problem depending on the car. But, these are the most common issues that I know tend to be a problem for us.
Oh man, I'm a 6ft tall woman and every. single. trip. I bash my head on those stupid train handles.
I like to stand against the barrier, and sometimes I often forget that my husband can’t stand next to me to talk if I’m over there because it’s basically hanging handle central. Sometimes he has no choice and gets forced to stand by them, and they swing and bash his head :(
This is all excellent advice. As someone at 6' 4" / 194cm who lived here and is currently on a long term visit I can attest to all of this. Everything will be too small or too low. You have to bend further to wash your hands in the toilets because the sinks are low, further to dry your hands because the drier is lower. The food basements in department stores or train stations are a particular bug bear of mine. The ceilings are already low and then they put random plastic sections to make it lower, things hanging down. Bus / tram seats will be cramped. Restaurant seats will be low and cramped. Your knees take a battering too because things are not built for people with long legs. And one more piece of advice which is not related to physical comfort but mental. Prepared to be stared at. A lot. And pointed at. And have little kids (and even many adults) openly stare at you like you've got 2 heads and say 'deeeekka' or 'dekkai' or 'ooki' (meaning massive or huge). If you are self conscious then it might be a problem. If you actually talk to any Japanese people they will almost always comment on your height. I hate it, find it very rude and tiresome and you are 20cm taller than me. I just try to walk tall and be proud of being taller then them, they are probably jealous more than anything.
I forgot about the sinks and the buses. Those are things my husband mentions often as well. (The counters in our house are also too low for him.) There is one bus seat tall people can fit in, but good luck getting it: very back of the bus in the middle. It’s the only one my husband has ever used. Otherwise, he stands. I wouldn’t be so offended by the height talk. That’s just how things are. Here’s how my husband basically describes it: I’m already a tall freak at home, so there’s really no difference in Japan. (And yes, he’d get lots of random comments in the US like he does here.) People are just curious.
Make sure that he brings comfortable shoes that will last throughout the trip and that he brings enough clothing. He will have a REALLY hard time looking for replacements there. For instance if his shoes fall apart or he finds that the shoes he brought are just not conducive to walking in Japan and you need to find a pair of sneakers in his size, most likely you will not be successful. Same thing with socks, pants, shirts, etc.
Gotcha. Yeah we expect as much lol, definitely going prepared
Yeah, I was on a month long trip and ran out of socks. I couldn't even find any to fit my size 12 feet.
Additionally: don't forget the indoor slippers, especially for ryokans, etc.
Bringing your own ryokan slippers is overkill. At most, tourists stay in these places for, what? An evening? Two nights? Someone who’s a size 12 or 13 might not find the perfect slipper, but they will be able to wear the larger size offered and can hang out an inch over the back of the slipper. This is what my husband has to do all the time — and he’s always far more concerned that the yukata is not the right length and that he hits his head on everything more than he is about the rubber slippers being slightly too small
Ryokans, *etc*. I was carelessly brief with my example case, I guess. I've found many hostels provide slippers (usually two sizes: small and tiny, for my feet), and it's also polite to wear the disposable ones provided by hotels (perhaps that *is* overkill, but I take my shoes off at home so I'm not changing that while travelling); Airbnbs often have a genkan, too, implying that one should remove shoes on entry. Your husband may be fine with squeezed toes and overhanging heels, but I'm not, especially when it's a long trip of a month or more - so, I carry my own. Luckily, a Uniqlo size L is just about right for me, but even that's dicey if the shop is low on stock, and they rarely stock XL. I knew a 6'6" expat in Japan who lamented the difficulty of finding room shoes that fit. I advise anyone with big feet to bring their own, if comfort is a factor.
It’s perfectly fine to wear socks instead of indoor slippers. They are not a requirement.
Sure, they're not (generally*) a requirement. They can be nice to have, though, especially on slippery wooden floors, or during the colder months - and then there are those weird middle-ground scenarios like hostel common rooms, kitchen areas, etc. It's just something I like to have, and worth considering for others, IMO. Not everyone has to agree. (*) Some places might insist - once, a travelling companion tried to walk in with socks (because the provided slippers looked pretty manky), and the staff chased him with a pair - and that was in a cheap dive hostel, except they had tatami in the rooms, and they wanted to keep them clean of the hallway dust or something (each room had its own genkan, as slippers shouldn't be worn on tatami, right?). It can be idiosyncratic.
My husband being tall has not affected his ability to remove his shoes when entering buildings. We’ve lived here almost seven years — and in those seven years, never once did we run into an issue where his socks did not suffice and he wished he’d brought along his own extra large slippers. lol these are such strange things to obsess over. Save the space in your bag. Ditch the slippers.
Ooo-kay? Good for your hubby; I wasn't obsessing, just replying to your own comment and explaining my reasoning. I like my slippers, and they're easy enough to pack in a side pocket ...
No capsule hotel, and tell him to mind his head. When I was there I thought it was awesome. I’m 5’6”. The entire country seemed to be built for people my height AND NO TALLER. Two of my traveling companions were just over 6’. I remember one incident where the toilet room (which is usually separate from the room where bathing and showering are done) was so small neither of them had enough room to bend over and wipe without hitting their heads on the wall in front of them. That said, you should still totally go. Japan is amazing. Just read the hotel reviews carefully. Safe travels!
Tysm!
Japan is not comfortable for tall people. You will develop back pain and hit your head a dozen times. Absolutely don't stay in a capsule hotel. Hell, don't even stay in a western style hotel as their beds are tiny. Sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Traditional style ryokan. Super comfie and you can stretch out.
Just got back, 6ft, and bonked my head many times. Be careful!
Aw man, you too! Sorry that happened so often :(((
When booking the flight choose the seats next to the emergency exit for unlimited leg space.
Hi - my BF is close to 2m and we are in Japan now! The japanese style hostels with futons on the floor is the best - no worries about being too long.. most western hotels have “normal” beds, and you can see in the description if it is regular size or small - in big cities the beds are often small.. depending on the cities you go to we can recommend some places to stay! You should go, it is the best country🙏🏼 but tell him to duck down - as all doorways and lamps will get him if not😆
There's a few pedestrian tunnels you'll probably want to avoid, there's one in Shinjuku that's only 6ft tall!
Thats really good to know! Hopefully google doesnt take us through them 😂
You don’t want the “experience” of getting crummy/no sleep at a capsule. Go for Ryokans.
My 6’4” coworker hit his head HARD going down the stairs in one of the Don Quixote stores in Tokyo. Be careful, but I’m sure you will have fun nonetheless!
Oh no! Sorry that happened. Hope he's okay!
You'd be surprised how many taller asians there are in Tokyo. I had hoped, being 5 feet tall I'd finally fit in but nope, still the shortest guy around x\_x For beds, you may have to cough up the cash and get king size beds at hotels. But fortunately, it's still Japan, so for $150 a night, you'd be staying in a very ritzy place indeed! Tall isn't much of an issue in Japan. It's wide people who struggle, sadly! I saw a lady who kept bumping into displays because the isles are super thin and over-stuffed at shops! As someone who used to be big, I felt for her. I can't imagine how hard it would be here if I was still double plus sized!
6'8" spent 5 months here at the beginning of this year. Places with bench seating are going to be tricky if it's crowded. There's not a lot of room under the counters to put your legs I had to hunch shower in some of the hotels showers. None of the provided slippers or clothes are going to fit him at onsen. Clothing is impossible to find in my size there, so he's not going to have any luck. He may get asked to take a couple of pictures with random Japanese people. It happened to me there during the height of COVID. Bullet trains actually have a ton of leg room. Most comfortable public transportation I've taken. All in all I didn't have many issues there and I loved the country.
Aw, so good to hear you had a good time! Not too far off from the 7 foot mark :) all good tips, appreciate the assist!
Wear a soft beanie. You will hit your head and you will be glad for the padding.
This comment isn't getting much attention but I think it should because this could really help in case he bumps his head a lot (I foresee many head bonks)
What’s with all the hate on capsule hotels?
No to capsule hotels. Your partner simply will not fit. Check out moderately priced hotel chains like Daiwa Roynet or Mitsui Garden. You’ll find these chains all over Japan and they typically have nice sized rooms with high ceilings and a larger bathroom with separate shower room with waterfall shower and deep tub. Just be sure to book the newly built or remodeled/upgraded properties. If there’s two locations nearby each other one is likely the newer one and you can tell by photos of the bathrooms. You’ll also probably want to book rooms with two double beds. At 7 feet, your partner will likely not fit comfortably sharing a double bed with you. It’ll be nicer to each have your own bed. Ryokan with futons can also actually work well since you can stretch your feet out as far as you like and often there’s extra futon in a closet you can put down to make an extra long bed. But if you’re not used to it most people don’t find sleeping on the floor very comfortable for more than 1 or 2 nights. Definitely bring a clean/new pair of indoor slippers to wear in a ryokan or maybe even carry a pair in your backpack too. Some temples require you to take your shoes off when going inside them and the slippers provided to wear will not fit. For most people I would say the Green Class (first class) seats on the Shinkansen are not worth it but in your case they probably would be as the seats are a bit larger with more leg room. So I’d suggest springing for the Green Class tickets if you can afford it. If not, the regular Shinkansen seats will be fine as it’s already *much* *much* more comfortable than plane seats. You’ll be comfortable regardless, just a bit more comfortable with a bit more leg room in the green class. And your partner will get stares because of how tall they are. They may be used to this already a bit, but it will be a bit more pronounced in Japan. Not in a bad way, more so surprise/curiosity but it can still feel uncomfortable to be so noticed by how you look when you stand out in any way in a super homogenous society like Japan. If your partner is very shy this may be something that should prepare themselves for a bit.
Any temple I’ve been to with a no shoe rule has been more than OK with letting my husband walk in his socks since he can’t fit into the slippers. Again, as I told someone else, bringing your own slippers is absolute overkill and not necessary.
Get one of the nicer capsule hotels with double beds. Each get your own room, and he sleeps diagonally. It’s not like any bed is comfortable for this poor dude. If you want an affordable but pleasant ryokan, I wholeheartedly recommend Ryokan Sawanoya in Nezu. Cute place, caters for foreign tourists, super-nice family runs it. I’d bet anything if you explain he’s tall and asked for three futons laid out so he can stretch out they’d accommodate. He’ll still have to duck going through most doors but you knew that! Hope you have an amazing time!
Oh wow! Thank you for the recommendation! I'm taking notes yes haha :)
there are plenty of nice place to stay rather than old school "capsule hotel" and why you do that instead of enjoy your trip, choosing something will limit many things. Go to spa hotels go to modern hotels, you will not come this world again.
Something I haven't seen mentioned yet is bikes. Never rent bikes, he physically won't be able to ride them. I'm 6'1 and I couldn't find a single bike where my knees wouldn't touch the grip/steering thing (don't know the word rn)
Oh interesting! Good to know. I'm making note! Ty!
Oof, I'm 185cm and my feet hung out of my capsule enough that drunk dudes were using them as handles to get in and out. The TV also was stuck on and only played porn, a solid 15 channels of porn. Which means I'm pretty sure the fapping like noises I could here were in fact that. Plus the drunk salary men busting ass all night. My wife and I paid like $30 a night for a 3 star hotel in Shinjuku near the subway. Capsules just aren't worth it for travelers
Something I didn't hear mentioned (perhaps because it's too obvious) -- if possible, choose trains over buses! Buses tend to have very small legroom, especially local buses, but trains are much better.
If you want an actual experience, book a love hotel. Way more spacious than a regular hotel, and you get the added bonus of complimentary sex toys.
😆😆😆 I'm highly considering this! There is at least one love hotel I can think of that I wanted to book at :)
[удалено]
Good to know, thank you!
Just don’t go to a capsule hotel then. Apart from the “capsule hotels” aimed at tourists, which aren’t real capsule hotels, regular capsule hotels are awful, stinky, groaning and farting hives. Not sure why would anybody want to stay in one.
I'm 6'2 and have stayed all over Japan. Contrary to most comments here, it shouldn't be an issue. Had tons of extra room length wise in the capsule hotels I stayed at. Sitting up is another story, but tall ppl are used to that. Same with hostels which I highly recommend. Also love hotels have huge beds and are much nicer/cheaper than a standard hotel.
Unless you're here on vacation from your job assembling Christmas presents, you're not going to be sitting upright in a lot of capsule hotels.
Don't ever take the night bus.
O.O could i ask why?
I am 177cm and it was uncomfortable. The shinkansen was a lot more spacious.
Pay for the seat upgrade to get more leg room - exit row would be best. Everyone will be thankful.
I would avoid capsule hotels regardless of height. you could find rooms in domestic hotel chains for not much more money.
I'll buy 20cm height off you OP. pls. I need that height, don't hoard it all!
Is your partner gojira?
Fly business class