Sauna & Capsule Cure Kokubuncho

A 2-night, 3-day trip to Sendai for a baseball game. On the first weekday, I was able to make a cheap Reservation at a nationwide chain Business Hotel, but on the second day (Saturday), prices were about four times higher everywhere—this is a capsule hotel, but I was able to book it at a reasonable price.This was my second stay; I also stayed here last year. The capsule rooms are available from 15:00, but the relaxation room on the 4th floor with manga and magazines can be used from 12:00, and the large public bath on the 5th floor is also available from 12:00.Since the game started at 18:00, I took a bath first and then relaxed in the lounge reading manga to kill time.The capsule rooms are two-tier (upper/lower) and separated by curtains, so whether you’ll be bothered by someone snoring nearby when you sleep depends on luck.After the game, I could hear loud snoring from far away, but I was tired and fell asleep before long—no real issue for me.Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, but drink vending machines inside are priced normally, so you can get beverages in-house.When going out, you have to leave your locker key (wristband) at the front desk each time. If there are many people checking in when you return, there can be some waiting time. However, there are three staff members at reception, so normally you can re-enter after about a five-minute wait. (If it overlaps with check-in for first-time guests who need detailed explanations, it can take more than 10 minutes.)In addition to shampoo provided at each washing station in the bath area, they also have Lucido rinse-in shampoo and body soap placed at the entrance—this is a big plus.One disappointing thing—not really the Hotel’s fault—was that vomit from what seemed like an overly drunk guest had been scattered on the stairs between floors 4 and 5.There’s only one elevator unit here, so when using the stairs I ended up seeing something unpleasant.It’s in Kokubuncho’s nightlife district; there are host clubs and cabaret clubs nearby. You may hear drunk people shouting outside once you step out of the building, but it doesn’t carry up to the Accommodation floors.They weren’t around last year as much as this time; patrols cracking down on touts were making rounds frequently this year too, so shady shop solicitors seemed to be gone.Being able to use the large public bath late at night and again in the morning is very nice.

We stay here every year around this time, and we have no complaints at all.The Facility and amenities are exactly what we need, the location is great, and we use it as our base for a Multiple Night Stay.