Japan’s Capsule Hotels

by Willy Volk on

Japan is filled with busy businessmen who may not have time to return home after a long day. Japan is also filled with precious little space (well…you know what I mean), so many hotels do not have large footprints. Enter Japan’s capsule hotels. Each “room” in the hotel is filled with several sleeping compartments, which are, frankly, just large enough for a person to slide into.

Sort of like a morgue with a fresh coat of paint, capsule hotels are a great way to offer ample accommodation in tight spaces. Purchase your room through a vending machine, hand your bag to the attendant, and head up to the capsule. Obviously, this isn’t the hotel to hit if you have (a) a large family; (b) a pet; or (c) claustrophobia.

Want to learn more? Here are some other bite-sized resources about Japan’s tiny capsule hotels:

I’d like to visit a capsule hotel, just for the experience. Then again, I’d like to visit Japan, just for the experience.

Last Minute Valentine’s Idea: Go To Japan, Bathe In Chocolate

by Jonathon Morgan on

If you’re in love with a chocoholic, this may be your ticket never-ending bliss. Just in time for Valetine’s Day, one Japanese spa has created a new service: chocolate baths.

Revelers hop into water mixed with cacao and fragrant bath powders, to which staff add creamy chocolate — pouring it onto the bathers, who then…well…use it accordingly.

With recent research indicating that chocolate helps release “feel good” hormones — creating sensations commonly attributed to being in love, a dip in the chocolate bath might be just what you need to convince that reluctant partner to take the next step.

Or just use it as an aphrodisiac. The choice is yours.

Lights of Tokyo

by Dave Luna on


This dreamy High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo was taken at the top of the Roppongi Hills Mori Building in Tokyo, Japan by /ltus. I love how the vibrant lights make the city appear alive.

HDR imaging composites a range of camera exposures of the same subject. The technique usually produces a gorgeous picture with brilliant color and deep contrast.

(via Boing Boing)

Poor Little Giant Squid

by Iva Skoch on

It turns out the giant squid is not a creature out of science fiction. The Japanese have captured it on film, Fox News reports. The creature was 24 feet long! Next time I am scuba diving off Ogasawara Islands (south of Tokyo), I’ll be on the lookout for the world’s largest invertebrates!

The sad part is that the squid actually died while being captured. Now, you can watch for it in your neighborhood sushi joint.

Skiing in Japan

by Iva Skoch on

A recent NY Times article has peaked our interest. We’ve brought Niseko, Japan’s largest ski area, to your attention before, but the new article does a great job of presenting other skiing opportunities in the country.

As it turns out, Japan actually has many more, perhaps a hundred more, ski areas than the U.S., according to the website Snowjapan.com.

While the vertical drops aren’t quite what some have come to expect in the Alps or the Rockies, due to Japan’s unique climate, with winter winds blowing in from Siberia, ski areas can get tons more snow than comparable resorts in the U.S. For example, Niseko gets over 600 inches of snow, while Vail only averages 348. And the powder is supposed to be incredible.

Americans will benefit from the increased traffic from Australian skiers, who have gone to Japan in droves, blazing a skiing trail. Japanese businesspeople have responded by putting up more signs in English and catering to English-speakers. The Times suggested contacting Australian-run tour operators, like Skijapan.com, for more help.

And an additional feature that really intrigues us: the large number of available hot springs (“onsen“) for apres-ski.