21. Capsule Inn Osaka

Capsule Inn Osaka is the original capsule hotel that started it all. At its opening over 40 years ago, it was so much ahead of its time that it took other countries decades to catch up.

The hotel has undergone some design changes but is still exclusively for men. Like most capsule hotels in Japan, it has a spacious spa with hot tubs and a sauna.

Recently, the place was rebranded and now runs under the name New Japan Umeda.

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20. Kinn Capsule Hotel

The Singaporean capsule hotel is an excellent example of where the industry is heading. Influenced by the Japanese Zen - and obviously, the capsule concept - Kinn takes the beauty of minimalism to another level.

The design is so clean it can be easily mistaken for a modern art museum. And those beautifully carved wooden oval entrances to the capsules are a sight to behold.

Coffee and biscuits are free, and a rooftop terrace overlooks Singapore.

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19. Petra Capsule Hostel

The craze has reached even the Middle East. Petra's first capsule hotel rides the trend in an unusual way.

The cubicles are pushed to the huge glass walls, and if you take the corner capsule, you will have 180 degrees view of Wadi Musa and the magical landscape of Petra.

After a scenic sunset, you can close the curtains and rest in a plush, cozy capsule.

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18. Steel House Copenhagen

This New York-inspired "Steel House" sets a new standard for modern city hostels. The style is industrial chic, consisting of raw elements, soft textures, and rustic interiors.

The industrial chic continues in the rooms where you'll find stylish capsules. Additionally, the hostel has an app that allows you to open your room with a single click on your phone.

The "poshtel" (posh hostel) features an indoor pool, a fitness center, an in-house atmospheric cinema, a coworking space with 12 tablets, and a karaoke bar. Not exactly what you would expect from a hostel.

However, it's still considerably cheaper than a similarly luxurious boutique hotel, and all you have to do is trade a bit of your privacy.

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17. Hotel Zen Tokyo

As the capital of Japan and one of the world's largest cities, Tokyo does not suffer from a shortage of unique accommodations!

Hotel Zen is located in Nihonbashi Ningyocho, or "Doll Town," as the locals call it, and it's one of the most traditional parts of the city.

The hotel respectfully integrates into this environment. For example, the capsule rooms were inspired by the tranquil tea houses of Tokyo, with beautiful ornaments on their wooden structures.

The rooms may be small, but they are full of character. The cozy insides are decorated with traditional Japanese art and bamboo night lamps, and with the additional support of an underlying tatami, the beds are super comfortable.

If you are used to traditional capsule hotels with tiny mattresses, Hotel Zen stretches the standard to 47 inches in width (120 cm). That's plenty for one person!

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16. Pangea Pod Hotel

Canada's first capsule hotel is a bold entrance. The boutique-level hotel is located in Whistler's iconic village, next to Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America.

The Living Room is Pangea's posh bar, an unlikely feature in a capsule hotel, as is the rooftop patio where you can sip on crafted cocktails while overlooking the Blackcomb mountains.

The capsules are hip and colorful, and you can choose between front and side-entry pods. Whichever seems comfier to you! The pods opening from the side have easier access, while the ones with a front entrance offer more privacy.

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15. Capsule Hotel Lucerne

There are few countries where affordability would count more for tourists than Switzerland.

Famed for its magical mountains and Milka cows, Switzerland has some of the most expensive hotels in the world.

But now, you can spend the night at the edge of Lucerne's historic old town without breaking the bank. In addition, you will sleep in space-age-designed capsules.

These futuristic pods look like the interior of the rockets heading to colonize Mars.

They are fitted with all the stuff you need: individually-controlled ventilation, a safe, a mirror, dimmable mood lighting, and a charging station.

While you stay at Capsule Hotel Lucerne, you can pretend to be Captain Spock traveling the galaxies.

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14. MyCube

MyCube by Mystays is a modern example of a Japanese capsule hotel. It took the traditional recipe but increased the vertical size of the pods and streamlined their design.

It's the perfect solution for people with claustrophobia, as the ceiling is so high you can even stand on your bed.

The pod's interior gives a micro-hotel vibe with a built-in safe, a tiny mirror, a single hanger (!), and a TV.

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13. CityHub Amsterdam

CityHub's centrally located hotel in Amsterdam is aimed at the younger crowd who prefers to spend their money on entertainment rather than a fancy room.

The hotel's cubes are inside what seems like a long stretch of containers. There is just enough room to place your luggage and personal items; besides that, there is a big mattress on an elevated platform.

Each cabin is equipped with a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, built-in speakers, and app-controlled lighting. So you can set the room's colors based on your mood!

The two L-shaped pods stacked on each other have sound isolation, so you won't have to listen to your neighbor's music or other unwanted sounds.

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12. The Millennials Shibuya

One of the newest capsule hotels in Tokyo will teleport you to the future of Japan. The Millennials Shibuya is a showcase work of a digital age hotel.

The futuristic communal spaces are infused with industrial-style design, like the exposed metallic pipes on the ceiling.

The smart pods have an oversized bed that you can sit upright to watch movies on the closing curtain that doubles as a screen.

So your capsule is essentially a bedroom and a mini-cinema too.

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11. The Pod Singapore

The capsule hotel craze reached Singapore sooner than the rest of the world, thanks to its sky-high real estate prices that drove up the cost of staying in a standard hotel.

Make no mistake, Singapore's general attitude toward high-standard craft can be observed here, too. The pod hotel saves on space but not on quality.

Each 100 capsule has 300 thread-count sateen cotton sheets, fluffy duvets, and a blind.

And if your budget allows, you can choose one of the suite pods, which are essentially micro rooms.

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10. Sauna & Capsule Hotel Rumor Plaza

Perfectly embedded in Kyoto’s geisha district, Gion, this capsule hotel has a spa section with a sauna and a jacuzzi that you can use all day long, as many times as you like, plus you get a complimentary breakfast.

This capsule hotel stays true to its origins in many ways. It's a men-only accommodation with 110 capsules stacked on two levels.

Only their design has evolved into a modern shape while retaining the Japanese capsule's quirky details.

The barely 24 square foot (2 square meters) micro rooms are fitted with a bottle holder, a mirror, Daito beddings, and a TV with video-on-demand service - but that will cost you 500 yen (~$4) extra.

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9. The Jane Hotel

The original pod hotel of New York has a fascinating history. In 1912, the back then sailor's home sheltered over 100 Titanic survivors.

After purchasing the historical building, The Jane Hotel's management ensured that the hotel's rich maritime history would not be forgotten.

Their tiny nautical-themed cabins are only 50 square feet (4.5 square meters) in size, but the small package is finely detailed with brass, wood, and soft-touch materials. And as you would in a properly-sized suite, you'll get a comfy bathrobe.

The beds are equipped with high-class mattresses, and unlike in traditional capsule hotels, there is a proper door to close your room.

The Jane is located in one of the best parts of Manhattan, in the West Village. It's right next to Hudson River Park (perfect for sunny morning walks with a cup of coffee!), the super cool High Lane, and the famous Chelsea Market.

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8. Capsule Hotel Asahi Plaza Shinsaibashi

It's the largest capsule hotel in Japan, with 437 rooms, and they are, of course, gender-segregated.

Manga fans will be delighted as the hotel is home to a dedicated manga room where you can find over 10,000 books and magazines.

In addition, there is a separate bathhouse for men and women with saunas and hot tubs.

Asahi Plaza Shinsaibashi follows the traditional recipe. The capsules are 3.3-feet × 3.3-feet × 6.6-feet (1-meter × 1 meter × 2-meters) in size and retain the design features of the typical 1980s capsule hotels.

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7. Book And Bed Tokyo

Japan's creativity lives up to its hype at the Book and Bed hostel. This mixture of a library and a capsule hotel results in the coziness of a reading nook.

While reading your favorite book, you can peek through the windows to see the neon noir vibes of Tokyo. They have a selection of 4,000 books - so you won't be bored.

Book and Bed makes hostel life easy. Their list of items to purchase includes things like toothbrushes and even pajamas.

Depending on how much you value your comfort and your wallet, they have a range of single, semi-double, and double bed capsules.

And if you insist on more privacy - and paying triple the price of the single bed capsule, the superior corner room has a king-sized bed and 90 degrees panorama of Tokyo.

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6. Suneta Hostel Khaosan

Bangkok's quirky accommodation is an exotic mixture of a Western-style hostel, a Japanese capsule hotel, and a Thai house.

The interiors imitate a traditional Thai village with steep gable roofed houses made of wood.

Even the capsules are made entirely from wood. It's a bit like sleeping in a big rustic box, so if you are looking for a unique stay in Bangkok, this is it.

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5. Nine Hours Otemachi-Imperial Palace

The first Nine Hours capsule hotel opened its doors in 2009. Guests can spend one hour to several nights in uber-futuristic capsules. They say travelers need one hour for showering, one for changing clothes, and seven for sleeping, equaling their signature nine hours concept.

Since 2009 Nine Hours has opened 13 more capsule hotels in five different cities; Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Miyagi.

Their success is no surprise to anyone who has seen the level of attention that went into designing the capsules and the communal spaces. Kitamura is responsible for the high-level comfort of the bedding inside the cocoon-shaped capsules.

Enter the realms of the futuristic Otemachi-Imperial Palace. Inspired by sci-fi movies, the vertical array of hundreds of state-of-the-art capsules will blow your mind.

After an initial visual shock, you will have time to appreciate the absolute brilliance of the architecture.

The visually defining design incorporates a central staircase, where you can take a better look at what the future might look like. Each capsule faces a large window to minimize the sense of enclosedness.

A surprise package will wait for you in your locker. They provide a bath towel, face towel, loungewear, and a toothbrush.

All items are 9 Hours branded, including the body soap, shampoo, and hair conditioner that you will find in the shared bathrooms.

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4. Nine Hours Hamamatsucho

How about floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows with a view of Tokyo Tower? Hamamatsucho is one of the eight locations Nine Hours has in Tokyo, and it's a special one.

It's only 2 minutes on foot from Hamamatsu-Cho Station and Daimon Stations. Perfect if you plan to ride a super-fast Shinkansen train to your next destination.

All Nine Hours capsules are designed and produced in the same style.

A cozy working corner with a view of the Tokyo Tower? You got it! Nine Hours properties have shared working spaces for digital nomads.

The capsule hotel offers a 360-degree panoramic lounge on its top floor, with breathtaking city views. You can use this spectacular space for sunbathing, catching up with your emails, or planning your travel itinerary.

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3. Nine Hours Nagoya Station

In Nagoya, the capital of Japan's Aichi Prefecture, 9 Hours has its own industrial-style tower with a rooftop terrace consisting of a lounge and an open terrace exclusive to guests.

A specialty coffee shop on the first floor serves fresh beverages, so you don't even have to leave the hotel to start your day.

It feels more like a top-of-the-range boutique hotel than any of the traditional capsule hotels in Japan. And this is precisely what makes the Nine Hours hotels so unique. On top of the well-designed capsules, the shared spaces are on par with some costly hotels.

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2. YOTELAIR London Gatwick Airport

A first-class cabin on a transatlantic flight on Emirates? Well, nearly. Yotelair is a hotel chain located at some of the biggest airports in the world.

Their London base offers micro rooms to rest after a long flight while waiting for your next connection.

Despite the size of the pods, the layover rooms are versatile thanks to some clever features. The bed, for example, can be adjusted from an upright couch to a fully flat sleeping place.

Pull-out desks and super-fast WiFi let you catch up with work. And if you need to refresh, you can take a hot, steamy rainfall shower. The elevated bed is inside an alluring plushy capsule.

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1. Capsule Inn Sapporo

Capsule Inn Sapporo is one of the original capsule hotels that has not changed its appearance. From the reception to the design of the capsules, it's all giving a strong 80s vibe.

The hotel is in a great location right in the Susukino area, Japan's largest entertainment district north of Tokyo, packed with bars, restaurants, and clubs.

Instead of breakfast, they provide coupons that you can use in local eateries. Unfortunately, Capsule Inn Sapporo caters to male guests only.

Each capsule has a TV, radio, alarm clock, and air-conditioning. Plus, an unmistakably 1980s design makes visiting the Capsule Inn Sapporo almost like a museum experience.

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