Shocking Pics Of People Living In Incredibly Tiny Rooms In Japan
We’ve all heard about Japan’s extraordinary ‘capsule hotels,’ but photographer Won Kim’s intimate photos give us a personal look at another set of tight living quarters – a hidden tiny apartment hotel in Tokyo that was designed as a guesthouse for backpackers.
Kim stumbled across the hotel when backpacking across Japan, and returned two years later to photograph it. He lived there for several months, befriending residents and photographing the small, womb-like spaces that they call home. The entire space-saving hotel is located on a single floor of an office building in north-east Tokyo. Some of the residents are short-term visitors, while others, says Kim, are essentially permanent residents.
“For me, the real interest of the resulting portraits is in how each resident has made use of such a small, confining space,” Kim writes. “In each case, the sharply-defined tiny home space and its contents say something about its occupant’s personality, the quality of life, and his or her ability to function in such a strange, enclosed environment.”
Scroll down below to check the interesting photos for yourself and tell us what you think in the comments.
More info: wonkimphotography.com | Instagram (h/t: modernmet, demilked)
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I agree with you, and even then, I live in a financially stable city... I'm proud of Hong Kong, but some living spaces here are even smaller than the ones you see in those images... And the rent is expensive. :( And where you live, I guess, the houses must be even smaller and uncomfortable... I know I might get negative comments about this, but I'm just offering another perspective; the fact that those small apartments are like mansions for others...
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The entire country of Japan is one big fire hazard...
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It's not as depressing as you would think considering that there are many people around the world who have nothing to call home.
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It's really minimalist, I want try it, it's not too bad... One issue maybe, sharing the bathroom...
They're all so messy. You'd think that with such a small space, you'd keep your stuff more organized.
Some are messy, but some are very organized and tidy. Look again.
Load More Replies...
I am so surprised, not that it is small space, but I never imagine Japan letting people live like that.
Those aren't rooms they are holes in a wall!! Exceedingly depressing!! Feeling bad for those who must live/exist like that!
I would love to live like this but would need a window. The only thing that scares me about these is fire hazard and Earthquake issues. Its a good thing I am short too could pretty much stand the whole way up in some of these. lol
The capsule hotels are smaller and way better looking than these, although bigger, it looks like a fire hazard deathtrap with clothing everywhere next to extensions with multiple stuff plugged in and all plywood walls and probably floors.... Is this even legal in Japan?? I can see a smoker falling asleep with a cig in their hand and the next thing its a tragedy What about bathroom//shower facilities... are they here [like in a capsule hotel] or do you have to rough it and wash your junk at the local McDonalds??
Interesting...I don't mind to try living here for once...uhmmm...perhaps couple of days?
maybe because I am Asian to that I think that these room are enough for me.
My boyfriend's Asian too and he dreams of a wide space once we get economically stable. And we both live in Korea.
Load More Replies...
What an adventure! Home is where the heart is and so many have made it so ‘homey’. What more do you need? A dry place with all the necessities. Great...for awhile.
Don’t knock it too much. If the socialists continue to control the economy, everyone (except the wealthy power elite) may be forced to live this way.
All of the those rooms were extremely small. I was a little surprised to see that some of these people living in them could actually fit so much of their belongings into such a tight space.
I am very happy to read your articles it’s very useful for me, and I am completely satisfied with your website. All comments and articles are very useful and very good. Your blog is very attention-grabbing. I am loving all of the in. turn you are sharing with each one!…. Japani Capsule
What a horrendous fire hazard this is! So many people, all in their wooden cell, all with electrical equipment, dangling electrical cables, I can see one person with a coffee mug so there are kettles being used, I see aerosol hairspray which goes like a bomb in a fire and other accelerants such as alcohol based gels, artificial fibre fabrics. it would only take a small fire from a cigarette to kill everyone there in just a few minutes
That's enough space for me. All I need = work clothes, weekend wear, pjs, deodorant, makeup, shampoo, laptop, a few shoes/bag and blankets.
Seguro que algunos son muy felices con tan poco espacio y otros necesitaran mas, pero al menos tienen techo, luz, un colchón, calor. Aunque es horrible pensar que nos tenemos que adaptar a esto.
Actually many students live this way. They're not really poor, they're like middle class, but they study in a different city. So they save on renting and living costs, but spend most of their days outside at school, in the coffee shops, restaurants, hanging with friends, at the part time job etc. Those who litterally come home only to sleep and wash themselves come to the conclusion that they really don't need s big place to stay. Also, I saw some people have pretty big cars, but live in small one-room flats.
Load More Replies...
I was intrigued, then read the fire comment. Is there an easy way of getting out if there is a fire? :o nightmare.
These look depressing to me,but something that i cant understand is,those were all young people with laptops with clothes that didnt look dirty cheap,some had bags from good stores inside their ''appartment'' and all these appartements were build same way,so what are these? maybe these are very cheap appartments companys give to their employes who live far away for free and young people use them not to have to travel from their real home to work everyday? Ofc,even if they have to have such a living is humiliation for humankind.
Not only poor people live in small flats. I'll copy-paste my own explanation I gave to another comment above yours. Actually many students live this way. They're not really poor, they're like middle class, but they study in a different city. So they save on renting and living costs, but spend most of their days outside at school, in the coffee shops, restaurants, hanging with friends, at the part time job etc. Those who litterally come home only to sleep and wash themselves come to the conclusion that they really don't need s big place to stay. Also, I saw some people have pretty big cars, but live in small one-room flats. And yeah, that's in Seoul what I'm talking about. But I've heard Japan has such cases too.
Load More Replies...
Its nnot that depressing.. becoz it doesn't matter how big is ur room but how comfortable u are really does matter.. and if u wnt ur own space thn living alone in a room is a bettr option then living with annoying people..
love it, wish people would do that in the states. with some modifications. would be low cost homes, plus for people that want to save would be cheaper to live. needs community kitchen, bathroom facilities, & each unit with 1, 4 outlet 15 amp wall socket & real overhead light, with a mini dorm fridge in each unit, & each unit with its own adjustable air & heat like in motel room, and of course individually lockable doors to each unit.
large population in a small area I lived in a bedsit once, toilet & shower in a cupboard, fold down bed, Bruse Willis's home in the fifth element
I think it would be good idea for homeless here in Canada. Looks comfortable.
Idyllic in some ways ... so few possessions. Some of us are drowning in consumerism ...
All I can think is, "What would happen if there was a fire?" Not for the claustrophophic for sure.
maybe because I am Asian too that think that this room is enough for me :/
I agree with you, and even then, I live in a financially stable city... I'm proud of Hong Kong, but some living spaces here are even smaller than the ones you see in those images... And the rent is expensive. :( And where you live, I guess, the houses must be even smaller and uncomfortable... I know I might get negative comments about this, but I'm just offering another perspective; the fact that those small apartments are like mansions for others...
Load More Replies... The entire country of Japan is one big fire hazard...
Load More Replies... It's not as depressing as you would think considering that there are many people around the world who have nothing to call home.
Load More Replies... It's really minimalist, I want try it, it's not too bad... One issue maybe, sharing the bathroom...
They're all so messy. You'd think that with such a small space, you'd keep your stuff more organized.
Some are messy, but some are very organized and tidy. Look again.
Load More Replies... I am so surprised, not that it is small space, but I never imagine Japan letting people live like that.
Those aren't rooms they are holes in a wall!! Exceedingly depressing!! Feeling bad for those who must live/exist like that!
I would love to live like this but would need a window. The only thing that scares me about these is fire hazard and Earthquake issues. Its a good thing I am short too could pretty much stand the whole way up in some of these. lol
The capsule hotels are smaller and way better looking than these, although bigger, it looks like a fire hazard deathtrap with clothing everywhere next to extensions with multiple stuff plugged in and all plywood walls and probably floors.... Is this even legal in Japan?? I can see a smoker falling asleep with a cig in their hand and the next thing its a tragedy What about bathroom//shower facilities... are they here [like in a capsule hotel] or do you have to rough it and wash your junk at the local McDonalds??
Interesting...I don't mind to try living here for once...uhmmm...perhaps couple of days?
maybe because I am Asian to that I think that these room are enough for me.
My boyfriend's Asian too and he dreams of a wide space once we get economically stable. And we both live in Korea.
Load More Replies... What an adventure! Home is where the heart is and so many have made it so ‘homey’. What more do you need? A dry place with all the necessities. Great...for awhile.
Don’t knock it too much. If the socialists continue to control the economy, everyone (except the wealthy power elite) may be forced to live this way.
All of the those rooms were extremely small. I was a little surprised to see that some of these people living in them could actually fit so much of their belongings into such a tight space.
I am very happy to read your articles it’s very useful for me, and I am completely satisfied with your website. All comments and articles are very useful and very good. Your blog is very attention-grabbing. I am loving all of the in. turn you are sharing with each one!…. Japani Capsule
What a horrendous fire hazard this is! So many people, all in their wooden cell, all with electrical equipment, dangling electrical cables, I can see one person with a coffee mug so there are kettles being used, I see aerosol hairspray which goes like a bomb in a fire and other accelerants such as alcohol based gels, artificial fibre fabrics. it would only take a small fire from a cigarette to kill everyone there in just a few minutes
That's enough space for me. All I need = work clothes, weekend wear, pjs, deodorant, makeup, shampoo, laptop, a few shoes/bag and blankets.
Seguro que algunos son muy felices con tan poco espacio y otros necesitaran mas, pero al menos tienen techo, luz, un colchón, calor. Aunque es horrible pensar que nos tenemos que adaptar a esto.
Actually many students live this way. They're not really poor, they're like middle class, but they study in a different city. So they save on renting and living costs, but spend most of their days outside at school, in the coffee shops, restaurants, hanging with friends, at the part time job etc. Those who litterally come home only to sleep and wash themselves come to the conclusion that they really don't need s big place to stay. Also, I saw some people have pretty big cars, but live in small one-room flats.
Load More Replies... I was intrigued, then read the fire comment. Is there an easy way of getting out if there is a fire? :o nightmare.
These look depressing to me,but something that i cant understand is,those were all young people with laptops with clothes that didnt look dirty cheap,some had bags from good stores inside their ''appartment'' and all these appartements were build same way,so what are these? maybe these are very cheap appartments companys give to their employes who live far away for free and young people use them not to have to travel from their real home to work everyday? Ofc,even if they have to have such a living is humiliation for humankind.
Not only poor people live in small flats. I'll copy-paste my own explanation I gave to another comment above yours. Actually many students live this way. They're not really poor, they're like middle class, but they study in a different city. So they save on renting and living costs, but spend most of their days outside at school, in the coffee shops, restaurants, hanging with friends, at the part time job etc. Those who litterally come home only to sleep and wash themselves come to the conclusion that they really don't need s big place to stay. Also, I saw some people have pretty big cars, but live in small one-room flats. And yeah, that's in Seoul what I'm talking about. But I've heard Japan has such cases too.
Load More Replies... Its nnot that depressing.. becoz it doesn't matter how big is ur room but how comfortable u are really does matter.. and if u wnt ur own space thn living alone in a room is a bettr option then living with annoying people..
love it, wish people would do that in the states. with some modifications. would be low cost homes, plus for people that want to save would be cheaper to live. needs community kitchen, bathroom facilities, & each unit with 1, 4 outlet 15 amp wall socket & real overhead light, with a mini dorm fridge in each unit, & each unit with its own adjustable air & heat like in motel room, and of course individually lockable doors to each unit.
large population in a small area I lived in a bedsit once, toilet & shower in a cupboard, fold down bed, Bruse Willis's home in the fifth element
I think it would be good idea for homeless here in Canada. Looks comfortable.
Idyllic in some ways ... so few possessions. Some of us are drowning in consumerism ...
All I can think is, "What would happen if there was a fire?" Not for the claustrophophic for sure.
maybe because I am Asian too that think that this room is enough for me :/
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