Working late and back in the office early tomorrow? Had a bit too much to drink to get home safely? In Tokyo that problem has been solved with the invention of the ‘capsule hotel’. Those two words many not make much sense when used together but they mean just what they imply – a hotel offering sleeping capsules, which look rather like the things people are put into suspended animation in in sci fi films, rather than full sized rooms. A vending machine checks you in then you’re given a number, locker key and wrist band. You can store your luggage and change in the locker room – into a yukata robe then head upstairs for a sento bath or visit the restaurant, bar or TV room – though there is a mini TV at the foot of your capsule – about six foot from your head. Capsules are stacked on top of each other and there is a privacy screen to pull down – but they pretty much look like giant pet carriers.

Why would you do it? Well it’s cheap and easy isn’t it.

The Big Lemon Capsule Hotel is open 24 hours and check out is at 9 but they start calling you back to wakefulness at 7. Capsule Hotel sizes vary from between about 50 ‘beds’ to 700 and most offer similar services allowing you to give the impression that you’ve been home – baths, places to perform your toilette and stores selling everything from fresh socks to fresh ties depending on how observant your workmates are.

Big Lemon Capsule Hotel Kabukicho, Shinjuku

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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