A capsule hotel is a type of hotel in Japan with a large number of extremely small "rooms" (capsules). The guest space is reduced in size to a modular plastic or fiberglass block roughly 2 m by 1 m by 1.25 m, providing room to sleep. Facilities range in entertainment offerings (most include a television, an electronic console, and wireless internet connection).

“胶囊旅馆”是日本一种很常见的旅馆，提供大量极小的“房间”。在那里，客人的使用空间缩小为大约2米长、1米宽、1.25米高的塑料或纤维玻璃质地的标准隔间，这个空间用来睡觉是没问题的。“房间”里也提供娱乐设施(大多数房间都配有电视，电子控制台以及无线网络连接设备)。

These capsules are stacked side by side and two units top to bottom, with steps providing access to the second level rooms. Luggage is stored in a locker, usually somewhere outside of the hotel. Washrooms are communal and most hotels include restaurants (or at least vending machines), pools, and other entertainment facilities. The benefit of these hotels is convenience and price, usually around ¥2000-4000 a night ($21-42).

这些小隔间一般是分两层挨个陈列的，二层的房间有楼梯可以直接上去。行李都会保存在旅馆房间外的存储柜中。洗手间是公用的，而且通常大部分旅馆都有餐厅(或至少有自动售货机)、游泳池，以及其他的娱乐设施。便捷和廉价是这类旅馆的主要优势，通常这类旅馆一晚的费用为2000到4000日元(约合21到42美元)。

Many capsules are used primarily by men. Others (especially on weekdays) are often too inebriated to safely travel to their homes, or too embarrassed to face their spouses when they are unemployed or underemployed.

光顾“胶囊旅馆”的大部分都是男性。有些时候(尤其是工作日期间)，有些喝醉了不能平安回家、或是因为失业或降职而不好意思回家面对另一半的人们也会光顾“胶囊旅馆”。