A capsule hotel rents you a bed-sized pod and almost nothing else. Showers, lounges and luggage lockers sit outside it, shared with other guests.
The format began in Japan and still thrives there. The three hotels below show its range: a Nordic-designed version, an airport stopover and a base for the lakes below Mount Fuji.
Kyoto, Japan
The pods here have roofs. A Finnish designer shaped each one like a small hut, with a pitched top and a short wooden ladder up to the bed.
Maja is the Finnish word for hut, and the whole interior leans on pale wood and soft light. Some units are classic capsule size; others are walk-in rooms with a larger bed. A café downstairs serves a Scandinavian-style breakfast. Nishiki Market and the Kawaramachi shopping streets are close by.
Narita, Japan
Early flight? This is the shortest walk to it. The hotel sits landside at Narita's Terminal 2, reached through the connecting passage to the car park.
It works like the rest of the Nine Hours brand: a shower, a sleep, a clean exit. Pods line separate zones for men and women, with lockers and shared washrooms close by. Short daytime stays are offered for travellers who only need a few hours of rest between flights.
Fujikawaguchiko, Japan
Mount Fuji fills the skyline on clear days. This capsule hotel sits in the Fuji Five Lakes area, a short walk from a station on the Fujikyu line.
Cabins are arranged by gender, and a shared lounge gives guests somewhere to sit beyond the pod. Laundry machines and parking help those staying a few nights. It suits hikers, cyclists and anyone exploring Lake Kawaguchi on a modest budget.