Check Out These Teeny Tiny Japanese Capsule Apartments
Compact housing is nothing new in Japan, a city with limited room and a whole lotta people. But these apartments are taking it to a whole other level.
The Nagakin Capsule Tower in Shimbashi, Tokyo, is representative of the “Metabolism” wave of architecture in post-war Japan, which resulted in a bunch of miniscule living quarters throughout the country. The idea was that these apartments would solve the dilemma of urban planning in 20th century Japan – businessmen would stay in the tiny apartments during the week for work.
Photos: Erin Williamson/Flickr
When the apartments were built in the affluent ’60s, the plan was that these capsule living spaces would be replaced and upgraded every 25 years, a plan that never came to fruition. The apartments – which measure at just over nine square metres – are still used, but their eccentric design makes maintenance very difficult.
And no, those portal windows don’t open, so you better hope the air conditioning doesn’t conk out.
(Lead image: Jordy Meow/Wikipedia)
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