The Rise and Fall of Capsule Tower: What Went Wrong?

Nakagin Capsule Tower was once a futuristic symbol of Japan's postwar economic boom. Completed in 1972, this unique building consisted of 140 modular capsules that were intended to be replaced every 25 years, giving it a self-renewing design. However, over time, the building's maintenance was neglected, and it fell into disrepair. Despite attempts to preserve it, the tower is now in danger of being demolished, marking the end of an era for this once-iconic piece of Japanese architecture.

01:06 The Economic Miracle
02:19 The Urban Explosion
02:55 The Metabolism Architectural Style
04:00 The Expansion of the Metabolism Style
05:21 The Capsule Tower
07:43 The Downfall of Capsule Tower
09:17 What Happened to the Capsules?

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

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Scriptwriter - Brent Sapp
Editor - Piotr Kubiak,
Host - Ryan Socash

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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[eruno_]

my Japanese friend tried to advocate for preservation of Japanese capsule hotel as building of architectural significance but sadly it failed. It was really unique and pretty example of non conventional architecture.

[faenethlorhalien]

As someone who has lived for almost 20 years in Japan, a bit in Tokyo and mostly elsewhere, let me tell you something I tell everyone talking about Japan and more specifically Tokyo:
Tokyo isn't Japan. Tokyo is Tokyo. Japan is Japan. There's so much that applies to Tokyo that doesn't to anywhere else. Tokyo is its own beast.

[dominiquecharriere]

I tried a capsule hotel in Shinjuku, which was not that tower but capsules inside a normal building. Man, you simply CANNOT sleep one minute. No door so you hear everything and the night is full of drunk people, people arriving at any time (one with skis!!!). Horrible experience! My wife and daughter had a better night in the ladies part of the hotel. Women don't drink.

[seanbatiz]

Without doing any research, I’d like to imagine this structure played some role in future-tense building designs of both movies, the original Blade Runner &, The Filth Element? Perhaps maybe even, Ghost in the Shell

[freetolook]

Lol...9 square meters was the size of my cubicle when I worked for the State of New York!
I would sometimes wonder if I could live in a space that size and try to figure a layout.
The house I live in now is more than I need and figure that for a person 500 square feet with two bedrooms, a living room/dining room, kitchen and bath is all that is necessary to live comfortably.

[RazorFriendly]

Looks like a monument to front loading washers.

[salsheikh]

Do a video on River City in Chicago. It was originally supposed to be much larger and self contained and was built using LEGO like concrete fittings. Also the only year round harbor in Chicago!
Stranger than fiction, was filmed there.

[dylanhobbs]

It's sad that this was left to rot. One of the most beautiful buildings ever imo.

[mbcase]

My favorite part of these capsules was the "reel to reel" tape deck as the "entertainment center". How long was music released in that format? Or was it supposed to be for pirated music?
It took up so much space that they could of at least put in a burner and sink to cook some ramen!

[jetsons]

London has no problems making new buildings that meet codes look great and really standout, The Gherkin, The Shard, Lloyd's Building, The Walkie-Talkie, The Cheesegrater and London City Hall just to name a Thanks for posting.

[YouTubemessedupmyhandle]

It’s supposed to be demolished - transience was the philosophy of the architect behind it.

[faenethlorhalien]

It's sad that modern Japan has really fallen behind places such as China and even South Korea or Singapore.

[argetech]

Here we have the old saying, "It looked good on paper." 🙄

[dannydaw]

I don't want to live in a little concrete box without a kitchen.

[blowinkk]

It was never built to change just one pod. All the pods had to be removed to change just one of them.

[urbanlotusflower]

It would have been great to have kept a section/area that was traditional architecture....old city.

[fastbike]

can't wait for more Chicago footage nice video

[ヒロシ-sz]

Tokyo used to be a cyber city.
It stopped in the 90's (¯―¯٥)
Now it 's shenzhen in 🇨🇳

[reallyseriously]

What's with the horrible music? Cant even hear you.

[asahearts]

Always "shared spaces." Have people never heard the tragedy of the commons?