I call top capsule. (Chad Ehlers/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images)

They look like MRI machines, but they’re actually sleeping quarters. These petite accommodations are found at Japan’s capsule hotels. And you can reserve a capsule for next to nothing — for as little as around $20 per night.

Who’s to say how you’ll sleep, though. Each coffin is about 6.5 feet long and 5 feet wide, according to Lapham’s Quarterly. And as you might imagine, given that they’re made of plastic, there’s an echo in there. There’s also no door – just a screen. The good news? You won’t get locked inside your capsule against your will. The bad news? Hotel racket may filter into your den. Here’s a tip: Pack headphones that’ll play white noise to cancel out the inn’s clatter.

LQ reports that for the most part, capsule hotels are frequented by businesspeople who’ve missed the train back home because happy hour with the boss ran long. In fact, during the recession, some out-of-work business folks have been, shall we say, overstaying their welcomes – that is, taking up permanent residence inside a capsule.

But depressing recession talk aside, if you’re an international traveler who wants to save a buck, you might check into a capsule for a night – if only for the experience. Most of the anti-resort rooms include a TV, radio and alarm clock. And the Web site for Capsule Inn Akihabara in Tokyo boasts that – no surprise – all of these devices can be reached from a sleeping position. There are separate floors for men and women, and thankfully the capsules don’t include toilets. (People don’t like to pee where they sleep.) There are public restrooms for guests.

I’m intrigued by these sleep cockpits.

Have you ever stayed in one?

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