Capsule hotel


Capsules in Osaka

A capsule hotel (カプセルホテル kapuseru hoteru?) is a hotel system of extremely dense occupancy.

Contents

Description

View in a capsule, with TV in the upper left corner

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.[1]

These capsule hotels vary widely in size, some having only fifty or so capsules and others over 700. Many are used primarily by men[2]. 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.[3]

History

The first capsule hotel was the Capsule Inn Osaka, designed by Kisho Kurokawa and located in the Umeda district of Osaka. It opened on February 1, 1979 and the initial room rate was ¥1,600.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Solomon, Leonard (1997). Japan in a Nutshell. Top Hat Press, 115-166. ISBN 0912509066.
  2. ^ Accommodation in Japan
  3. ^ Wardell, Steven (October 1994), "Capsule cure". Atlantic Monthly. 274 (4):42-47

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