An Englishman In Japan

One of the things that people really must see here in Japan is not the temples, the kimonos, the castles, the tiny mobile phones, the high speed trains, the robots, and all the other things that signify traditional culture in harmony with the world of the future. It's the CAPSULE HOTEL!!!

The capsule hotel is the dream of the salaryman who's missed the last train, the fantasy of the drunk who can just get his head down in a nice warm bed for half the price of a real hotel and double the warmth of a cardboard box in the park, and heaven for the criminal on the run from the police, hiding in a little box under a false name, as he doesn't need to produce ID.

So, what is a capsule hotel? Take a look.



Each of the little boxes in the picture above has enough room for a bed. The TV is above you, and the radio comes out of the walls. After that, you are on your own! Although the walls are not soundproof, it is surprisingly quiet, as everyone is quite considerate, knowing that we are all going there just to sleep.

The bed consists of a futon, with a very comfortable quilt, and has enough room for a person who is 6ft tall. There is also a little shelf to put stuff on (glasses, etc.). You have a locker to put clothes in, and you are given pajamas with the hotel logo on. If your bags won't fit in the locker, they'll take them and look after them for you until the morning at 10am, when you have to check out.

If you want to check out what it is like, check this video: Capsule Hotel

At 2,800 yen/night, you can't really complain, though, and actually, I sort of like them. The only problem is, you can't bring your own food and drink in without smuggling it in a little bag (which is what I always do), and the stuff they sell in the place is sooooo overpriced, it's incredible!

Some people actually live here, and you can rent a capsule for a month, for just less than 60,000 yen (300 quid) and have access to all the facilities during that time. It's really interesting going to different capsule hotels and meeting people who live there and listening to their life stories.



Internet access (bring your own computer), TV, vending machines with food and drink, toilets, and baths are all available too, plus a high quality restaurant (but EXTREMELY expensive!), PLUS the inevitable karaoke, so it's not that bad, really. I think anyone who comes to Japan should try this at least once. They might like it.....


Scouse Mouse