When asked if he'd rather live in a mansion or a small, windowless space, photographer Won Kim openly admits he would choose a tight, "womb-like" space over a mansion any day. Small spaces "give me a feeling of security and coziness," Kim tells Business Insider.
So when Kim stayed at a Tokyo hostel that provides its visitors with only a tight, one-person space made with untreated plywood, he felt right at home. Somewhere between a hotel and hostel, Kim describes this nontraditional space as a "guesthouse for backpackers in Tokyo" that is unlike other lodges in the city.
Although Kim requested the hostel's exact location and name to remain anonymous, it became clear to him that the real story was the temporary set-ups within the business' walls. He began documenting residents of the hostel, noticing the diversity of the travelers, and seeing how they utilized the little space provided to make it their own, even as temporary residents.
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According to Kim, the hostel's residents are a diverse crowd, from backpackers to recent job-hunting grads, to regular workers stationed in Tokyo.
While Kim doesn't have exact dimensions, he notes the spaces are only big enough to hold a single mattress and a large suitcase, with just enough room left over for small personal belongings.
A person of average height cannot stand upright in these confined spaces, but at about $12 USD a night, this hostel's competitive prices keep travelers coming through.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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