The Japanese, of course, are forced into spatial economy, but the trend appears to be catching on in London, where the first, posh pod hotel was recently unveiled at a design show. These hotels with pod rooms (still a lot bigger than the Japanese version) are an upward (and not especially fiscally economical) trend that’s catching on, but overall, it’s efficient, and that’s good news to us. In Japan, these little rooms (see below) are used as perfect stopover spots for when you’ve been over-served, your girlfriend’s freakin’, or you’re traveling light. They are super basic, barely big enough to roll over in, and have TVs, shades, and a mattress and pillow; and overall, they sort of look like Laundromats. In London, Yotels will be much cushier, certainly roomier, and promise to be more of an everyone’s-doing-it type thing. Still, they’re smaller than giant suites and that counts for something. £70 per night in London; ¥3,000-4,000 (about $25-35) per night in Tokyo.

Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:

• Coal Pellet Stove Introduced in Uganda
• Alter Eco Episode: Green Seeds
• The Smoke-Free, Nicotine-Free and Now Organic Swedish Snuff
• Hollywood Green Episode: Cheryl Tiegs's New Hydrogen Fuel Cell GM & The Simpsons' Greenest Moments