1.
capsule hotel
A budget Japanese accommodation where guests sleep in small, individual pod-like compartments stacked side by side. Each capsule typically has a mattress, light, and small TV, with shared bathing and locker facilities.
Loanword from English 'capsule' + 'hotel.' The first capsule hotel opened in Osaka in 1979 and the format has since become a recognizable feature of Japanese cities, especially near major train stations.
Common collocations
- カプセルホテルに泊まる: to stay at a capsule hotel
- カプセルホテルを予約する: to book a capsule hotel
- 駅前のカプセルホテル: a capsule hotel near the station
Cultural note
Capsule hotels were originally designed for businessmen who missed the last train home; today many offer modern, design-conscious capsules and welcome tourists. Most are still single-sex (separate floors for men and women) and discourage long stays.