Internet cafe
01/18/2007
When I stayed overnight at Nagasaki, I decided not to go to a hotel but try something different instead...so I spent the night at an internet cafe! Yes, you can actually spend a nice night there and I'll show why...
First, you have your own private box:
As you can see, it's fully equipped (PC, TV, playstation 2, DVD player, all within reach of hand)! You can go and pick whatever game or movie you like:
On top of that, there are several types of boxes : I picked the reclining seat type, but there are also massage seats, tatami-style mats, sofa:
As well as larger boxes for two people.
If you're hungry, there's a menu displayed on the wall so you can easily make an order. If you don't want to sleep or are fed up with TV and internet, you can for instance read one of the "few" mangas available:
You can also go to the bar, have a drink and read magasines:
Or even go upstairs to play billiard, darts, table tennis, video games (some on free play!), karaoke,..
When you have enough, it's time to relax and have a shower:
Large, perfectly clean, with everything supplied (towel, shampoo, toothbrush, etc)!
And while you're at it, why not have a foot bath or a massage as well?
Of course it's not the best place if you want privacy, but it's not the purpose and I was alone anyway. But apart from me, who spends the night in such a place? Here are my guesses:
- young otaku (but I guess they rent a box for a whole year...)
- greedy or poor travellers
- drunk salary men who just missed their last train
- people who want to try something different (that's my case)
It seems that the internet cafe I went to was particularly well equipped but from what I heard from many sources, stuff like mangas, drinks, booths and sometimes showers are totally standard!
So, can one actually sleep well?...Well I certainly wouldn't go there every night but it's quite possible to rest and I'm willing to try it again every now and then. I was a little tired the next morning, but it was essentially because I played until late...
I was about to forget: hot and cold drinks are of course free, and I payed a mere 2000 yen for the whole night (about 20 dollars!).
Categories: Leisure - Accommodation
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