Third Stop: Ueno and the Capsule Hotel

Since I arrived at nine in the evening the day before, I woke up quite late and had breakfast at the hotel. My plan was to visit Ueno because of its parks and temples. There are many important sites in Ueno but unfortunately, I got lost along the way and later gave up my search. It was not  pleasant to do the walking when the weather was hot and my legs were sore.  

I wasn't able to go to the Tokyo National Museum which is one of Japan's most important museums. I wasn't able to find the entrance of the Hanazono-Inari Shrine so after people watching, I took the next train to go back to Shibuya. And before I left Ueno, the rain started to pour. 

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Since I need to change hotels, I returned to Shinjuku. This time, I chose a capsule hotel for experience sake. I chose Green Plaza Shinjuku Capsule Hotel - Male Only. As intriguing as the name and the type of accommodation, it was time to find things myself.

"Do you have any tattoo?" was probably a question that will never be asked of you when you check in a hotel but they did. People with tattoos cannot be accommodated in the establishment and a small ink could probably be patched by a bandage of sort if you have one. "Check-in at 4pm, check out at 10am." added the desk clerk in his halting English. I was given a plastic bracelet as a key to my locker, a big towel, and a bathrobe to wear around the vicinity. Big bags were stored in their bag room. 

credits from the web

A capsule accommodation was about 2 square meters equipped with a small television, stereo, and an alarm clock. It also had an adjustable light that could be turned on and off. The door was a small wooden blind that gave you a sort of privacy but not good enough to stop the noise from snoring people or from the light that brightens the hallway. I had two nights of good sleep and they were probably because I was dead tired walking during the whole trip.

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The upper floors were dedicated to pleasure, not for sexual deviants or perverts, but for relaxation. One floor was a restaurant where a table can only sit one person. Everyone was seated facing a television set reminding me of a classroom set-up. Food was not as delicious comparably speaking, but they were still pleasant to the taste. The staff were all female. At the other side of the restaurant was the massage place where one can have a decent massage sans the hanky panky. 

credits from the web

Another floor was the bathing area. This was where I disrobed in public for the very first time. I was very inhibited and I was more concern to cover my privates with a small towel as I walk around the floor. However, it took me less than half an hour to become comfortable and ended up having the towel on top of my head as I visit the several water facilities such as the bubbly bath, the mist sauna, and the warm and cold jacuzzi. While I was seated, my eyes cannot help but notice an assortment of butts and hanging genitalia. Trust me, they are not small, LOL! Impressive!

One had to sit on a stool to bath and there were mirrors for each space. Toothbrushes were provided and oh boy, I was looking for toothpaste to no avail so I decided to just brush my teeth without it. Holy moly, the toothpaste was already inside the bristles of the toothbrush, how clever and economical indeed. I was more impressed. 

Hotels give you a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner to use but Japanese places are so generous with their portions. I was pumping the soap and shampoo from their big containers as if I had not been bathing for a year. I had never felt so clean in my life. 

If there is one thing I learned form this experience, it is the knowing that people are all equal taking away the clothing that wrapped their bodies. Being naked in front of other people is like being free from the shackles and dictates of society. I am among the same breed of people, all equal and conscious of nothing. It's the idea of being comfortable in one's skin.

Tip #5: When you enter any establishment, make sure you read the signs in front such as removing shoes before entering.

Tip#6: If you have tendencies to grope or even touch someone at the bath, do not. You could feast your eyes but not act your desires. It's a no, no!