Japan is famous for unusual housing. Tourists in Tokyo often book capsule hotels for cheap pod beds, but some residents rely on capsule apartments as the most affordable long‑term option.

YouTuber Norm Nakamura Tokyo Lens filmed one such unit: at $200 (£153) a month, it offers a sleeping pod with ceiling rails for storage, plenty of sockets, and shared kitchen, lounge, and bathroom facilities.

With an 800‑square‑foot (74sqm) flat in Tokyo costing around JP¥70m ($469k/£358k) in 2024, and average rent at JP¥235,000 ($1.6k/£1.2k), it’s clear why many turn to alternatives.

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