Although we at Transracial are partial to medium-sized suites from the likes of Four Seasons or Peninsula, we can’t help but be captivated by this nifty new hotel concept coming out of Japan — a “capsule” hotel from electronics giant Panasonic.

Launching in December in Kyoto — but previewing in Tokyo in three weeks — Panasonic’s new 9h (Nine Hour) hotel is the highest-tech example yet of that Japanese talent for blending small spaces with hospitality and futristic gizmos.

Developed by Panasonic Denko – in collaboration with Japanese design minds Masaaki Hiromura and Takaaki Nakamura — the 9h unit is all crisp whites and beiges, at once cossetting without feeling crammed.

Inside the hotel chamber there’s mood lighting, mattress and pillow — fully controlled by an all-in-one and totally from-the-future black electronic console dubbed “the sleeping environment system”.

The hotel is open for just nine hours each evening and every stay comes with spiffy PJs, slippers and on-site bathing stations.

The hotel itself opens formally on December 9th in Kyoto — but from August 19th, the 9h will be on display at Tokyo’s hip Axis Gallery.

No word yet on room rates — but let’s hope it’s recession-friendly priced by the square foot!