Safro Spa Capsule Hotel

However, this capsule hotel eradicated my perception. Not only did it accommodate men and women, there was a luxury bath, massage room and lockers upstairs (the baths are the typical Japanese communal type, so you must leave your modesty when you check in). The bathrooms/shower area for both sexes took up an entire floor respectively: towels, brushes, hair dryers and lockers were provided for free. You could even pay extra to have a massage. Men and women are segregated from each other except for the dining areas. As for the capsule beds, they were surprisingly comfy. Inside is a radio and a TV (you pay extra if you watch TV). Everything was a novelty in itself. For a budget capsule hotel, it was certainly very luxury in what it had to offer. The staff couldn't speak much English, but were also quite accommodating. I will definitely stay there again next time I'm in Sapporo.

As I was there during the snow festival, it was great to stay there, as I was close to the ice sculptures and the famous ramen (noodles) alley. Oh, and some love hotels (although I was travelling solo, so didn't go near them! But it was funny to see girls tottering in pointy stilettos and miniskirts along the icy, slippery and wintry roads). The only downfall about the capsule hotel? The fact that you are actually banned from the hotel if you have a tattoo (although this is common practice in all inns with public baths). I went into the baths with a towel wrapped around my waist (where my tattoo is) only to be approached by a clothed staff members who told me off in broken English (yes, while I was standing under the shower in little but my birthday suit). Still, I'd probably take the risk next time I'm in Sapporo.