Peter SchimkeWhile capsule hotels often steal the spotlight for budget travellers in Japan, the unique experience of staying in an internet cafe or “manga kissa” (manga cafe) remains a lesser-known gem. These sprawling establishments, offering a blend of internet access, private booths, and entertainment options, perfectly encapsulate the country’s unique blend of technological innovation and quirky culture.
Staying at a manga kissa is not only incredibly affordable but also offers a fascinating glimpse into a world often hidden from the average tourist. While space may be limited, it’s a chance to experience a unique facet of Japanese nightlife, often frequented by night owls, gamers, and those seeking a quiet refuge. Rest assured, these establishments prioritize safety and provide a comfortable and secure environment for overnight stays.
How to stay in an internet or manga cafe in Japan?
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When I talk about internet cafes, I don’t mean the very small shop that has one computer with internet in the corner of the room. But I am referring to massive multi-floor internet cafes that often can be found in Japan – and in Japan only (maybe Korea too).
Staying in an internet café is fairly easy and straightforward. There’s no need to book in advance or reserve a space, as there are almost always some spots available – except in the unlikely event that there is an internet gaming convention in the same building.
All you have to do is to find them. Simply do a little research before you go toTokyo, Osaka, or any other major city in Japan, and figure out how to get there. But here comes the trick – you usually don’t go there before you actually want to go to sleep. Staying an internet café isn’t quite like those backpacker hostels you are used to. People don’t hang out and chat; most people are here for different reasons, and one of them is sleeping.
A night in an internet café in Tokyo can be as cheap as ¥2000, which isn’t very much at all. However, you can choose between open or private space and whether you want a reclining chair or just a soft floor. You may have noticed that we are still talking about an internet café.
Image credit: Dmitri Fedortchenko | Flickr
Image credit: Matthew McVickar | Flickr
Typically in an internet café, you will be charged by the hour. So if you want to read your book for a couple of hours before going to sleep, then you should go to a real café.
Who stays at an internet or manga cafe in Japan
An internet café isn’t officially a hostel or hotel, but it is very common for people to stay here overnight. This is true for salarymen who didn’t make it home that night and party animals who just need a few hours of sleep. Or gaming youngsters who haven’t seen daylight for a couple of days.
What you get in an internet cafe in Japan
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Some internet cafés even have showers, usually for a small extra usage fee of ¥200. But wait, it gets even better. Most internet cafes also have free soft ice-cream and free drinks (non-alcoholic) vending machines. Furthermore, you will find shelves filled walls with mangas, magazines and books (although mostly in Japanese).
In case you have plenty of luggage with you and you don’t want to have it lying around, you can utilise lockers.
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What about the computers?
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As we are in an internet café, you have of course your own computer as the centre point of your cubicle. That’s basically it – a computer, keyboard and a mouse. And you are sleeping next to all of it. If you are an extremely light sleeper, you may want to upgrade to a private space. But if mouse clicks around you aren’t a bother, then you should be fine in an open cubicle-like space.
The gamers, salarymen and other people around you will generally be very quiet, as they appreciate their peace. So please don’t start skyping with your friends, telling them all about Japan.
Also read: Top 20 Historic Japanese Inns You Can Stay In
Privacy in an Internet café
Generally, everybody minds his or her own business in an Internet café. Do respect that and don’t spy on what other people do on their computers – sometimes you don’t even want to know. Neither should you take pictures of people sleeping in their cubicles. Although there are seemingly strange characters around that you feel curious about, you should respect their privacy – even though everybody has very limited private space.
Staying in an internet café isn’t just extremely cheap and convenient; it will give you a closer look at the Japanese urban society. If you are a single traveller or in a group of two to three people, these internet cafés will serve you perfectly.
