Capsule Hotels New Concept in Japan

[Taro Toporific]

"New"? Ri-i-i-i-ight. For the past 45 years, capsule hotels have been "a new concept in Japan." [INDENT]

Capsule hotels [SIZE="2"]new [/SIZE]concept in Japan
In Japan, compact capsule hotels provide stranded businessmen and budget travelers with no-frills accommodations for reasonable prices.
MiamiHerald.com | Mon, Mar. 20, 2006
TOKYO - The capsule hotel, a quirky and inexpensive option for stranded commuters in Japan, brings a whole new meaning to the term 'hole-in-the-wall'. For about $30, a weary businessman or budget traveler can rent a capsule for the night in most major cities in Japan....more...[/INDENT]

[otakuden]

shoot, i remember hearing about the whole capsule hotel thing years ago back in highschool, and we're talking 10 years here. it doesn't surprise me any that's capsule hotels been around even longer than that. of course, way back then they were probably just renting out someone's cabinet or closet

[Captain Japan]

Taro,
If you go to Shimbashi there's a model of the "first" capsule hotel on display kind on the way to Ginza. I think this little concrete box was first exhibited at the Osaka World's Fair in 1970. So that would make it only 35 years old. But of course there could have been other similar capsules before then. It's worth a look if you are in the neighborhood.

[Taro Toporific]

Shimbashi there's a model of the "first" capsule hotel on display kind on the way to Ginza. I think this little concrete box was first exhibited at the Osaka World's Fair in 1970.

Ah...My father and I almost bought one those capsule condos (it's not really a hotel) for only 9 million yen in the late 1982 (original selling price was only 3.5 million yen).





More info
http://www.dorkmag.com/archives/2006/01/habitat_nakagin.html
Nakagin Capsule TowerVia Lil's flckr photoset

http://www.kisho.co.jp/WorksAndProjects/Works/nakagin/

[Greji]

Ah...My father and I almost bought one those capsule condos (it's not really a hotel)

I would hope the condos are better than the hotels. I did stay at one once when I couldn't find alternative accommodations with the Roppongi crowd. I highly recommend it as very good practice for those of us that will probably end up in a drawer in the morgue!

[IkemenTommy]

Just reminded me of that one Seinfeld episode where those Japanese businessmen slept in Kramer's dresser drawer.

[kamome]

That looks like Korben Dallas's apartment from the Fifth Element.

[Greji]

That looks like Korben Dallas's apartment from the Fifth Element.

I had a mate that checked in to a capsule hotel and then slipped a babe in with him. I suppose they got it on, but I don't have any idea how they could, even if they were contortionists. There wasn't enough room to fart in the one I stayed at! If you smiled, your teeth hit the wall!

[GomiGirl]

That looks like Korben Dallas's apartment from the Fifth Element.

That is exactly what I thought!!

Especially as it was on the telly the other night - cut to shit as per bloody usual for J-TV. They ditched the whole first scene with Luke Perry!! *grumble grumble*