If you’re traveling to Kyoto in Japan and are in a tight budget, there’s a way to stay in a decent accommodation without having to spend a fortune. Simply check in a capsule hotel which is the latest trend in the country.
Called the Nine Hours Hotel, this establishment does not have the usual hotel rooms. Instead, it features state-of-the-art sleeping pods that are available only to accommodate a guest for nine hours. Each pod is just a box enough to fit one individual or simply-put, it is the size of a coffin.
Yes, accommodation is for nine hours only. The first hour is allowed for getting ready for bed, the seven hours is for sleeping and the other one hour is allowed for getting ready in the morning after waking up and before checking out.
Three people are behind this new sci-fi hotel concept and innovative sleeping technology. They are Fumie Shibata and his Design Studio S plus Masaaki Hiromura and Takaaki Nakamura. The three came up with this new type of establishment with the belief that travelers need to be spending more time in their desired destination and as little time in their hotel, thus the nine hours of stay only. Each stay is worth $49 or 4,800 yen.
Capsule hotels are actually no longer new in Japan. They’ve been in existence since the 1970s. Unfortunately, they gained a bad reputation at that time as the only choice of drunken workers who have failed to take the last train home.
The modern capsule hotels are much different than those in the past. Nine Hours Hotel, for example, has seven stories. This establishment is situated close to the city notably in the geisha Gion district thereby proving to be a most ideal place of accommodation for tourists visiting the area.
This lodging place features a monochrome decor and a sleek design. Floors for men are separated from women and guests are offered sleeping clothes and accessories free of charge. Each capsule is bigger than the average single bed, has top quality sheets and a pillow that curves around your shoulders.
What also makes this place unique is its Panasonic system that helps hotel guests relax and sleep comfortably. The built in system also wakes the guests at a set time by changing the light.
It is important to note as well that although it is called Nine Hours Hotel, guests can actually stay up to 17 hours. Eventually, the management will allow a 24-hour stay in the hotel.
Image via thesundaytimes