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Not too long ago, I stumbled upon what is known as “Capsule Hotels” in Japan and just had to share. I briefly touched on this topic in the post Asian Culture and Minimalism, and I wanted to dive just a bit deeper.
These Capsule Hotels have become so popular, they can now be found in other countries of Asia and parts of Europe. There’s even one in Moscow, Russia!
Capsule Hotels are small rooms slightly larger than a coffin, but many say they do not feel like a coffin! They offer their visitor enough room to crawl in, watch a bit of TV, work on their laptop, and sleep. Just because it is tiny, don’t underestimate the Capsule Hotel. In addition to your sleeping space, the typical capsule hotel offers a secure locker for you to store your belongings, a shared public restroom, a shared “living” space, and a small shop that offers clean clothes or a quick snack. Some even incorporate a bit of “luxury” and feature an on-site restaurant or computer lounge.
Capsule Hotels were originally designed for the” man on the go”. Busy employees or those looking for employment are among the most common visitors to the hotel, and can often be found staying for as little as two hours before they hit the road again. But in a country where the cost of living is sky high, capsule hotels are now being utilized by many more. Their affordable cost is one of the main reasons for this burst. Typically ranging between 30 and 50 US dollars, the capsule hotel is suitable for both the busy man and the worldly traveler. I can see the benefit of staying in one of these capsule hotels when traveling, since you typically do not carry a lot of stuff, and you could even save money doing so when you consider the average hotel cost is $70 – $150 per night. Could you do it?
Most capsule hotels aim for balance and simplicity in their decor, and in their setup. I have to say, from the images I’ve seen to date, they are pretty attractive in appearance; slightly minimalist and slightly futuristic (like sleeping in a spaceship, perhaps?). Usually the hotel is minimally decorated and everything is clearly labeled. You may even find arrows painted on the floor directing you to where the store, bathroom, or lockers are. This provides little distraction for the visitor.
Curious to know what a capsule hotel looks like? Take a look at these.
The reason I bring up capsule hotels today is because tiny houses have become a popular topic on our blog, and some people have actually made the switch to calling these capsule hotels “home” (talk about micro living)! That is definitely a form of extreme minimalism that may not be for everyone. Do you think you could live in a capsule hotel?
Blessings,
Aly
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