Offices on the go in Japan: STATION WORK’s shared booths

A couple of years before the pandemic, commuters passing through one of several Tōkyō-area railway stations might have noticed a change in the landscape. Black-walled booths had materialised out of nowhere, looking similar to instant photo kiosks. In fact, these were meant for a very different purpose: to provide a mid-commute refuge in which to get some last-minute work done.

Let’s take a peek at Japanese shared space provider STATION WORK’s extra-compact offering: the STATION BOOTH.

Note: This review is based on two separate experiences of using STATION WORK booths (in late September and early October 2023).

I won’t go into detail about STATION WORK, except to say that they run a growing portfolio of shared office spaces across Japan (the STATION BOOTH line is just one type). Their website – all in Japanese at the moment – should help fill in the gaps if you’re curious. For the present, I’d like to jump straight into my experience of using a STATION BOOTH and draw conclusions about what they’re good for.

STATION WORK may have gotten their start in Tōkyō – no surprise as they’re owned by JR East – but you’ll find their booths in major railway stations all across Japan. The pictures used in this post feature two slightly different booth models, located in Takamatsu Station and in Tōkyō Station.

There’s a search and reservation system on the official website for registered users. Not wishing to set up an account, I availed myself of the walk-up option.

First, go to a STATION BOOTH with a lit “vacant” sign. If the sign is turned off, it means that the booth is in use, reserved, or otherwise unavailable.

Look for the coloured LCD touchscreen by the door. If your Japanese is rubbish (like mine) or completely non-existent, whip out your mobile device and use a translation app to work through the process.

Tap on the button for one-time use (without an account). That’s the second option of the two in the following image.

Next, select your preferred length of time. These rise in 15-minute increments up to a maximum of one hour, with the total price displayed towards the right.

Prices vary by booth capacity. As of this writing, the common one-person booths go for 275 yen per 15-minute block.

Pay by tapping your IC card against the yellow-bordered card reader.

Once you’ve paid the fee, the door will automatically unlock and you’ll be able to swing it open (or it will slide away on its own).

This is what you’ll find within.

Well, something like this anyway. The layout and equipment will differ somewhat between various models of compartment. The next picture shows the setup at a different type of one-person booth.

Regardless of configuration, your booth will contain a monitor above the desk with an HDMI connector, power outlets, charging ports, and complimentary WiFi. Features supplied for user comfort include an air conditioning unit (tucked away underneath the desk) and a small desk fan.

In short: an office cubicle, plain and simple. Of course, you’re free to use it for purposes other than work, and as a leisure traveller those are of more interest to me.

Backstory time. I had a sleeper train to catch from Takamatsu and turned up at the station far too early. I’d already taken dinner and wasn’t in the mood to park at a café. The night air was just a touch too warm for comfort. Desiring to get some blogging done in cosier surroundings, I popped into a STATION BOOTH I’d seen on the mezzanine floor and paid for a half-hour block.

It did its job and then some. Though not designed for lounging, the seat and ventilation were comfortable enough to offer an improvement over the station benches just outside. The desk – which obviously the benches didn’t have – allowed me to set up my iPad in an ideal position for focused writing. As an unsociable chap, the extra privacy was much appreciated.

Closing things off, let’s go over what these STATION BOOTHs (or other booths of similar size and layout) are NOT well suited for.

• They’re NOT good for sleeping in. The booth is small, the legroom limited, and the seat utilitarian. There’s a 1-hour limit per booking block, so any nap beyond that length will be interrupted by an automated alarm saying your time’s about to run out.
• They’re NOT good for changing clothes in. The frosted glass door offers some visual privacy, but movements and silhouettes can still be discerned from outside.

On the other hand…

• They’re great for enjoying a little privacy and focus time. Frosted glass aside, outsiders won’t be able to get a good look in (nor you a good look out). I felt cosy and protected, ready to get some writing done in relative comfort and freed from distractions.
• They’re great for getting work done…if one must use them for that. The thought of being tied to work whilst outside the office is a complete abhorrence. That said, if work can’t be avoided, a STATION BOOTH is a better place to do it in than a bench with neither desk nor privacy. You’ll need to have your own computing device (and HDMI adapter if desired) but all the rest is supplied for you, including a monitor and free WiFi.

Would I use one of STATION WORK’s booths again? Gladly…but, whilst I’m on holiday, not for something as loathsome as actual work!

Cheerio.