Tokyo Houzz Tour: Life Inside an Iconic Capsule Apartment
20th-century utopian architecture speaks to contemporary tiny-house living in a minimal but functional capsule apartment
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, which stands out starkly against the surrounding glitzy shopping district of Ginza in Tokyo, Japan, was designed by late Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. Even today, 46 years after its construction, there is a long line of people interested in renting one of the remaining inhabitable units of this iconic building. Attracted by its charm, 30-year-old designer Shintaro Tanaka moved here last year and created a minimalist, yet functional, living space that bridges ’70s utopian ideals and modern-day tiny house living.
Shintaro Tanaka works as a graphic artist in the Ginza area of Tokyo, where the tower is located. Looking to move closer to his work, he took up residence in one of these capsules in the spring of 2017.
“The view, the atmosphere, the narrowness, the impressive appearance … I like everything about it. I knew the building was here, but when I learned that I could actually live here, I fell in love with the capsule even more,” Tanaka says.
“The view, the atmosphere, the narrowness, the impressive appearance … I like everything about it. I knew the building was here, but when I learned that I could actually live here, I fell in love with the capsule even more,” Tanaka says.
The capsule had been renovated before, but clever thinking is always necessary when living in a 50-year-old, 96-square-foot room. Tanaka enjoyed the challenge, relying on multipurpose furniture and taking full advantage of his 3D printer.
Attached to the ceiling is a Sony LED bulb speaker, which combines speaker and light bulb functionality and can be screwed into any light socket.
Attached to the ceiling is a Sony LED bulb speaker, which combines speaker and light bulb functionality and can be screwed into any light socket.
There is no separate entryway in the apartment. Nor did Tanaka need a refrigerator: When he wants something perishable, he just goes to the convenience store on the ground floor. So, he uses the Sanyo fridge just to the right of the door as extra storage.
His faithful green bike is foldable, so it doesn’t take up much space. He uses it, among other things, when he hunts for parts for his DIY and 3D-printed projects.
His faithful green bike is foldable, so it doesn’t take up much space. He uses it, among other things, when he hunts for parts for his DIY and 3D-printed projects.
Tanaka says that he doesn’t get the appeal of large homes. “It’s okay when there are a lot of people, but I live alone. I prefer it when everything is within reach, kind of like a secret fort from your childhood.”
The apartment is equipped with a unit bath, which are common in Japan. This is pre-manufactured as a single unit that usually consists of a sink, toilet, bath and shower, which is sealed against water seepage and has a drain in the middle of the floor. However, as there is no hot water in his capsule, Tanaka mostly showers in the building’s shared facilities.
The apartment is equipped with a unit bath, which are common in Japan. This is pre-manufactured as a single unit that usually consists of a sink, toilet, bath and shower, which is sealed against water seepage and has a drain in the middle of the floor. However, as there is no hot water in his capsule, Tanaka mostly showers in the building’s shared facilities.
The furniture consists of a desk with an integrated storage rack underneath and a small bed, both from Muji; and a folding chair from Pacific Furniture Service.
The building consists of 140 capsules, only a fraction of which are inhabited.This capsule was previously used as an office by its owner, who then decided to refurbish it and rent it out.
Although the floor in the picture resembles wood at first glance, it’s actually vinyl. These Sangetsu floor tiles are water-resistant and durable.
Although the floor in the picture resembles wood at first glance, it’s actually vinyl. These Sangetsu floor tiles are water-resistant and durable.
This is Tanaka’s workspace. The book- and storage shelves are integrated into the desk. Although it looks like the shelf was already there as-is, some parts were actually made with the 3D printer that sits on top of the desk, including, for example, the garbage bin rack on the left side.
Tanaka bought this Tivoli Audio radio because “it looked like a capsule.”
He made the shelf himself out of materials he bought at a hardware store. It and the clothes rail are not supported by legs, but by magnets “that can bear loads of up to 20 kg.”
He made the shelf himself out of materials he bought at a hardware store. It and the clothes rail are not supported by legs, but by magnets “that can bear loads of up to 20 kg.”
Tanaka only keeps a bare minimum of clothes. The compact hangers are another Muji product, designed for travelers.
This 3D printed scale model, which Tanaka created himself, shows the layout of another capsule. Although the capsule he lives in is a little different, he says he wanted to get one that looked like this at first. Besides the model, he is currently making a video on the Nakagin Capsule Tower.
The capsule’s single round window offers a view of the highway and Hamarikyū Park, leaving no doubt that the tower is situated in the middle of Tokyo. At night, lights from the highway illuminate the surroundings, “making it appear as if you were in the Blade Runner universe,” as our host puts it.
In 2006, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was listed in the “Japanese Modern Architecture” list by DoCoMoMo Japan. This acknowledges the building’s importance to the history of architecture, but provides no legal protections. The tower continues to draw both domestic and international attention.
However, the building is falling into disrepair. The core of Kisho Kurokawa’s design was a building that would be replaced and updated continually: The capsules only have a life of 25 years and were supposed to be replaced over time – the structure was built to ensure individual units could be swapped out without disturbing the ones around them.
However, due to prohibitive costs this has not happened, and the building is plagued by extensive problems with plumbing, ventilation, leaks and asbestos. For this reason, there have been calls to demolish the building, and its future is uncertain.
However, the building is falling into disrepair. The core of Kisho Kurokawa’s design was a building that would be replaced and updated continually: The capsules only have a life of 25 years and were supposed to be replaced over time – the structure was built to ensure individual units could be swapped out without disturbing the ones around them.
However, due to prohibitive costs this has not happened, and the building is plagued by extensive problems with plumbing, ventilation, leaks and asbestos. For this reason, there have been calls to demolish the building, and its future is uncertain.
A group of owners who want to preserve its historical value while waiting to replace their capsules have established the Nakagin Capsule Tower Preservation & Restoration Project. Through tours and monthly rental plans, the group are trying to increase the appeal and widespread understanding of the historical and architectural value of the Capsule Tower, with a view to preserving and restoring this iconic structure.
Location: Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Who lives here: Shintaro Tanaka
Capsule size: About 96 square feet (8.9 square metres)
Design supervision: Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates
Construction: Taisei Corporation
Building date: 1972