What are Internet and Manga Café?

There are many manga and internet cafes scattered around the streets of Japan. It is a perfect place to relax your mind and enjoy your favourite hobby. Whether that be reading all kinds of manga or browsing the internet, while watching your favourite show. Usually, you pay for the amount of time spent in the café, you will not be disappointed by the range of books they offer, not only that, but most cafes also have unlimited drinks and snacks that will keep you satisfied for a long time.

 

 

 

Differences Between Manga and Internet Café

Although these cafes are very similar, there is a clear difference between these two places. Manga café, as the name suggests, it is a place where you can read manga and magazines provided in the café for as long as you would like. Most of these cafes will offer free drinks and light meals for you to enjoy.

On the other hand, Internet cafes are equipped with personal computers that allow you to watch movies and videos. You can also connect to the internet and do work and research. Despite the differences between Manga and internet cafes, nowadays, various stores have merged these places into one, where manga cafes are equipped with personal computers as well, making the two terms mostly interchangeable in Japan.

 

 

 

How to Us

Depending on the store, but most of these stores are membership-based, where you have to register a membership card the first time you use the service. Usually, it costs around 210 yen for the membership card, these cards can also be used at affiliated shops. Once you enter, you can select the type of room you would like to use. Generally, there are 4 basic internet rooms in every stores.

 

1. Table seat: It is a one seated space, with a computer on a table and a chair. There is a simple wall divider to protect your privacy. The price is usually lower than private rooms.

2. Reclining seat: It is a private computer room with reclining chairs. If you spend the night at the internet café, you can fold down the back of the chair when you want to sleep.

3. Flat seat: It is a private room that you can lie down as the floor is a mattress in itself. If you use flat seats, you must take off your shoes before entering the private room.

4. Pair seat: A private room for two people, such as friends and lovers, who want to enter the same private room. It is larger than a private room for one person, and you can relax on the large sofa.

 

Now that you have decided, lets head to the room!

 

Photo: dice.diskcity

 

 

Photo: matcha-jp

 

As you can see from the picture, the space is a mixture of bookshelves and private room booths. While you’re walking to your allocated room, it is a good idea to check out the manga that you might want to read. Then, you are in for some time of fun!

 

Available Features

If you are planning to stay for a long time, there are also different features that will make your stay a lot more comfortable and convenient! Let’s see what they have.

 

1. Drink bar

Most internet cafes have a free drink bar where you can drink all-you-can-drink juice and soup without extra charge. Typically, the drink charge is already included in your room rate, so drink away!

 

2. Shower room

The shower room is one of the most convenient facilities you will find in the internet cafes and it is usually installed in most stores. In addition, whether the usage fee for the shower room is free or paid depends on the store. To use the shower room, simply take the slip you received when you entered the store to the reception desk, then they should be able to give you access.

 

3. Printer

There is usually a printer located next to the reception desk, making it convenient for office workers who are using the service for work purpose. They can print or scan a document if needed.

 

 

 

 Photo: dice.diskcity

 

 

Now that we are comfortable with the concept of internet cafes, we want to introduce some popular cafes in Ikebukuro including their pricing and locations. There are various shops in Ikebukuro district, where you can spend a relaxing time in the comfortable facilities. Most of these shops are affordable and convenient, it is also extremely cheap for an overnight stay! While these cafes are located in Ikebukuro, most of these stores are franchises, so you will be able to find them in other areas of Japan as well.

 

 

1. Internet Café DiCE Ikebukuro

 

Photo: dice.diskcity

 

This café is located about a 1-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. It has an extensive collection of about 180,000 books, which makes this place very attractive. A wide range of books such as fashion and business magazines as well as manga are available. There are various types of private rooms such as semi-private rooms, reclining, flat, fully private rooms with keys and soundproofing, VIP, and karaoke types. 

            It has over 100 kinds of drink and 3 types of all-you-can-eat soft serve, sounds like a fun place to stay. In addition, there are plenty of free rental items. Such as various mobile phone chargers, blankets, slippers, bath towels, curling irons, Blu-ray disc drives, etc. can all be rented free of charge.

 

Pricing:

3-hour daypack

1,100 Yen for semi-private room and 1,400 Yen for completely private room

6-hour daypack

1,700 Yen for semi-private room and 2,300 Yen for completely private room

 

DICE

 

 

 

2. Hailey ‘5 Café

 

 Photo: hailey5cafe

 

The Hailey '5 Cafe, is about a 4-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. Based on the concept of "Internet cafe for adults". It is Ikebukuro's Internet cafe which is popular for its stylish interior and excellent service inspired by Brooklyn in New York. All seats are completely private rooms with auto lock, so woman can use it with confidence even if they are alone.

It also has a theatre room and a karaoke room that can accommodate multiple people, so it's a recommended internet cafe for dates and when you want to have fun with your friends. In addition, there is also a "self-alcohol bar" where you can enjoy about 20 types of alcohol menus for an additional fee (* alcoholic beverage cannot be served from 0:00 to 8:00), so you can enjoy movies and karaoke while drinking alcohol.

 

Pricing:

1-hour pack

500 Yen for weekday and also during the holiday season.

3-hour pack

1,500 Yen for weekday and 1,700 Yen during the holiday season.

8-hour pack

2,500 Yen for weekday and 3,000 Yen during the holiday season.

 

Hailey '5 Cafe'

 

 

 

3. Gran Cyber Café Bugus Ikebukuro West Exit

 

Photo: bagus-99

This is located about a 1-minute walk from the west and north exits of Ikebukuro Station. "Gran Cyber ​​Cafe Bugus Ikebukuro West Exit" is a quiet and relaxing shop in the middle of the downtown area and is very popular with women and couples.

In addition to the drink bar and all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream, there is a women-only area and shower room that ensures extra safety for women. Free rental of blankets, massage cushions, curling irons, and amenities are also available, so if you miss the last train, you can spend your time comfortably here. All seats are private rooms with functional equipment and luxurious interiors, so adults can spend a comfortable and high-quality time with great satisfaction.

 

 

Pricing:

3-hour pack

1,040 Yen for regular rate and 940 Yen for women rate

6-hour pack

1,520 Yen for regular rate and 1,420 Yen for women rate.

 

Gran Cyber Café Bugus Ikebukuro West Exit

 

 

 

4. Gran Cyber Café Bugus Ikebukuro East Exit

 

Photo: Bagus-99

 

The last Ikebukuro internet on this list is the "Gran Cyber ​​Cafe Bugus Ikebukuro East Exit", which is about a 1-minute walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. Like the third café we mentioned, this store offers completely private rooms, so those worrying about privacy can use the service with confidence. Since it is a completely private room and has a key, you can use it as if you were relaxing in your own room for 24 hours. Many people and women come to the store, and it's an "adult-oriented" internet cafe.

 

Pricing:

3-hour pack

1,040 Yen for regular rate and 940 Yen for women rate

6-hour pack

1,520 Yen for regular rate and 1,420 Yen for women rate.

 

Gran Cyber Café Bugus Ikebukuro East Exit

 

 

 

Photo

Geragera

 

Sources

Minute-jp

Hikoneto

Matcha-jp 1 2