Capsule hotels is a unique concept for a type of hotel, which has been developed in Japan, containing a large number of extremely small rooms (capsule) aimed at providing inexpensive accommodation without the traditional hotel services. 

Capsule rooms in the Japanese city of Osaka

Interior view of a capsule, notice the TV in the upper left corner

This concept is based on reducing the area and size of the hotel unit to a minimum, so that the "room" is a capsule in a wall made of plastic or fiberglass (fiberglass), two meters long, one meter wide, and a meter and a quarter high. It includes some amenities and entertainment such as a TV set, an electronic control unit, and wireless internet access). These capsules are stacked side by side with two units at the top and two others at the bottom, with a drawer providing access to the second level. Luggage is stored in a locker. As for privacy, a curtain is drawn from the inside and the door closed at the end of the capsule. Public toilets are also provided, and some of these hotels have a restaurant (or at least vending machines), a swimming pool, and a number of other entertainment facilities.

This style of hotel accommodation has been developed in Japan, and has not gained popularity outside the country, although similar concepts have been introduced in Europe but in larger sizes with a private bathroom often. Guests are kindly requested not to smoke or eat these capsules.

Capsule hotels range in sizes, some can hold only 50 capsules while others may hold more than 700 capsules, and many of them are used for men only. There are also capsule hotels with a male section and a female section. The popularity of this type of accommodation is due to the suitability for the conditions of some individuals as well as for the prices that usually range from 2000-4000 yen (25-50 USD) per night.