What’s a Japanese Internet Cafe like?

Not having a computer can be a real hassle…if you don’t have one, you probably know what I’m talking about. If you’re one of these people, don’t worry…I’ve been there. If you like to check email often, surf the internet for educational or recreational purposes, this can really cause some degree of duress. However, here in Japan, there is a solution: the convenient and ubiquitous internet cafe. If you’ve ever had the chance to walk around in Tokyo, these cafes are everywhere. Sometimes you may see them and not even realize what you’re looking at.

There are Internet cafe chains, independently owned cafes, adult-themed cafes, small ones, big ones, seedy ones, clean ones, you name it. In general, internet cafes provide similar standard services: internet at an a reasonable, hourly rate (or a special package rate if you’re staying for an extended period of time), free drinks, food, and access to comics and magazines. Depending on the cafe that you go to, you can have a greater range of services: massage chairs, darts, pool (billiards), shower facilities, even karaoke (for those all-in-one entertainment facilities). I always recommend that you make use of internet cafes if you are ever unfortunate enough to miss last train, it’s a place to rest up until the trains start running (just after 5:00 am). The internet cafes were so essential for me, and a couple of my coworkers, upon arriving in Japan because I had no computer to speak of. I have one now, after saving up for it, but you may want to consider the Japanese internet cafe as a cheap alternative to buying computer if you don’t have the resources to do so. Oh, and for those of you who do have computers already, I still think you should try visiting at least one internet cafe, because it’s an interesting experience to say the least, and are definitely a part of Japanese culture.

This has just been an overview of Japanese Internet Cafes, but I plan to take a more in-depth look at the Japanese Internet Cafe in the very near future.

See you tomorrow,

Donald Ash