October 2022: Please note First Cabin Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo has now permanently closed. Please see our Downtown Kyoto page for other places to stay in the district.
Curious about capsule hotels but find the idea of one too claustrophobic? Try a cabin instead! The super-central First Cabin Kyoto has compact, comfortable, and reasonably priced cabins – perfect for solo travellers who need a little more space than a box.
First Cabin Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo – image © Booking.com
Solo travellers often get a raw deal. Hotel rooms for one can be expensive, and when they’re not, they’re often dismally tiny. With their compact cabins designed for single occupants, though, First Cabin Kyoto is a welcome alternative to such woes.
First Cabin is a chain offering compact capsule-style rooms. They’re about cabin-sized, meaning you can actually walk in and be greeted by a bed, rather than clamber into a drawer! The cabin consists of a bed, a tiny table, and a drawer under the bed. There’s even a TV! There isn’t enough space for a large suitcase to stay open while you’re inside as well, but it’s perfectly adequate if you travel light with a backpack or cabin-sized luggage.
First Cabin Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo – image © Booking.com
The rooms also come with charging pods, a phone with mobile data and free domestic calls that you can use during your stay, and a set of earphones – presumably for watching TV without disturbing anyone else. The WiFi is fast and reliable.
Bathroom facilities here are shared, with gender-segregated public Japanese-style baths. You won’t need to bring toiletries – there’s shampoo, soap, and conditioner – and afterwards, a hairdryer plus toner and moisturiser in the ladies room! The bathwater is adequately hot; soaking here at the end of a long day’s walk is a luxury you’ll get used to all too quickly on your holidays!
First Cabin Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo – image © Booking.com
You have the option of breakfast here, but the buffet is limited and frankly not worth the money. Skip breakfast here and head out to a nearby bakery for better morning fare.
If you’re a very light sleeper, you might want to avoid First Cabin accommodations. While you have your own private space, it’s not completely walled off at the top. Other guests in our experience usually take care to keep their voices down, but snoring is pretty impossible for anyone to control.
Still, if you’re a solo traveller looking for a relatively comfortable space in a super central location, First Cabin Kyoto is hard to beat. If you’re travelling with someone else, though, you’re probably better off sharing a hotel room!
Name in English:
First Cabin Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
Name in Japanese:
ファーストキャビン京都河原町三条
English address:
437 Ebisu-cho, Kawaramachi-dori-Sanjo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku
Japanese address:
中京区河原町通三条上ル恵比須町437
Price:
Internet: wifi access
Non-smoking rooms: Yes
Nearest Transport:
4min walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, Tozai subway line
Telephone: 253-6565
Website:
:: Check availability on Booking.com or Agoda.com
Official site (English)
First-Cabin.jp
Near To Here:
First Cabin Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo is located in Kyoto’s Downtown district. See our complete list of things to do in Downtown Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
More Kyoto Hotels info:
- Kyoto Hotels Overview
- Check availability and pricing for Kyoto hotels at Booking.com and Agoda.com
- The Best Places To Stay In Kyoto
- Where To Stay In Kyoto
- Best New Kyoto Hotels
- The Most Romantic Hotels and Ryokan in Kyoto
- Best Value Hotels In Kyoto
- Kyoto Vacation Rentals
- Best Luxury Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Boutique Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Small Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Mid-Range Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Budget Hotels in Kyoto
- Best Kyoto Hostels and Guesthouses
- Best Kyoto Hotels For Families
- Best Japanese Hotel Chains
- Best Ryokan In Kyoto
- Kyoto Machiya
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
