Tiny Japanese Hotel Rooms, AKA Capsule or Modular Rooms

These tiny Japanese hotel rooms are often called capsule or modular rooms.

So what exactly are they like?

The guest space is reduced in size to a modular plastic or fiberglass block roughly 2 m by 1 m by 1.25 m, providing room to sleep. Facilities range in entertainment offerings (most include a television, an electronic console, and wireless internet connection). These capsules are stacked side by side and two units top to bottom, with steps providing access to the second level rooms. Luggage is stored in a locker, usually somewhere outside of the hotel. Privacy is ensured by a curtain or a fibreglass door at the open end of the capsule. Washrooms are communal and most hotels include restaurants, or at least vending machines, pools, and other entertainment facilities.

This style of hotel accommodation was developed in Japan and has not gained popularity outside of the country, although Western variants with larger accommodations and often private baths are being developed. Guests are asked not to smoke or eat in the capsules.

These capsule hotels vary widely in size, some having only fifty or so capsules and others over 700. Many are used primarily by men. There are also capsule hotels with separate male and female sleeping quarters. Clothes and shoes are sometimes exchanged for a yukata and slippers on entry. A towel may also be provided. The benefit of these hotels is convenience and price, usually around ¥2000-4000 a night ($21–42, €16-31, £15–29).



Most roomers are businessmen too tired or far away to make the trip home. Others (especially on weekdays) are too inebriated to safely travel to their homes, or too embarrassed to face their spouses.


Links:
http://www.links.net/vita/trip/japan/lodging/capsulehotel/
http://gojapan.about.com/library/hotel/bltokyo_cap3.htm http://www.jeducation.com/THAI/photodiary/capsule/capsule.htmlhttp://www.timeout.com/tokyo/accom.xml?ar=6&cg=1ar=6&cg=1
http://travel.yahoo.com/p/travelguide/754397/sc/shinjuku

You might also like:

Amazing and Awesome Tree Houses
The World's Largest Residence
Popular and Unique Soft Drinks From Around the World