What Are Internet Cafes and Manga Cafes in Japan?｜24-Hour Access, Prices, Showers, and Overnight Stays Explained

Internet cafes and manga cafes in Japan are a little different from what you may think of as an “Internet cafe” in other countries.

They’re not just places to use a computer or Wi-Fi.

Depending on the location, you can:

There are quite a few ways to use them.

They’re great if you want to try reading manga in Japanese, but they can also be useful if you miss the last train or just need somewhere to rest for a few hours.

There is one thing you should know first, though.

Internet cafes are not hotels.

Many are open 24 hours, so you can stay until morning.

But you generally won’t find a hotel-style bed.

Instead, you’ll rest on a reclining seat, flat seat, sofa mat, or something similar.

Some cafes also require membership registration or ID verification when you use them for the first time.

Are Internet Cafes and Manga Cafes the Same Thing?

In Japan today, you can generally think of them as the same type of place.

Originally, there was more of a difference:

These days, though, many places combine manga, computers, Wi-Fi, drinks, private booths, and other services.

In Japan, you may see names such as:

The names are different, but the services are often very similar.

However, not every internet cafe has printed manga on its shelves.

Even Kaikatsu CLUB has some locations that do not carry printed manga.

For example, its Shinjuku East Exit location does not have printed manga.

If reading Japanese manga is one of your main reasons for going, check whether that specific location has manga before you visit.

Do Foreign Travelers Need a Passport?

Bring your passport.

Membership rules differ depending on the internet cafe chain.

Some require you to register as a member, while others generally allow you to use the cafe without becoming a member.

There’s another important rule in Tokyo.

If you use a computer to access the internet at an internet cafe in Tokyo, your identity must be verified under a Tokyo ordinance.

If you’re a short-term visitor from overseas, your passport can be used for this ID check.

If your passport does not show your home address, your nationality and passport number can be checked instead.

On the other hand, some cafes do not require membership at all, while others may let you use certain services without registering as long as you do not use a computer.

A little confusing, right?

That’s why bringing your passport is the safest choice if you’re visiting from overseas.

What Should You Do When You Enter for the First Time?

Don’t worry. Using one for the first time isn’t that difficult.

The basic process looks like this.

1. Go to the Reception Desk or Self Check-in Kiosk

Some cafes have a staffed reception desk, while others use self check-in machines.

If there is a staff member, simply say:

“Hajimete desu.” (初めてです) — “It’s my first time.”

That should be enough to get you started.

2. Register as a Member If Required

If membership is required, you’ll enter information such as your name and show an accepted form of ID.

Depending on the chain:

The rules aren’t exactly the same everywhere.

3. Choose Your Seat

Japanese internet cafes offer several different types of seats and rooms.

This is probably one of the more confusing parts if it’s your first visit.

Which Type of Seat Should You Choose?

It’s actually pretty simple once you know what you want to do.

Reclining Seat (リクライニングシート)

This is a large chair with a backrest that reclines.

It’s perfectly fine for reading manga, using a computer, or relaxing for a few hours.

But remember: it’s still a chair.

If you plan to sleep until morning, it may not be very comfortable.

Flat Seat (フラットシート)

You take off your shoes and sit or lie down on a flat padded floor area.

If you want to stretch out or sleep for a few hours, this is usually more comfortable than a reclining seat.

Lockable Private Room (鍵付き完全個室)

If you want more privacy, look for a lockable private room.

Kaikatsu CLUB offers lockable private rooms, and some locations even have rooms with their own shower and toilet.

The Manboo group also operates places such as Net Room and Manboo Plus, which focus on lockable private rooms.

Just remember that even a lockable private room is not the same thing as a hotel room.

It’s easier to think of it as:

“A private room where you can stay until morning.”

Can You Read as Much Japanese Manga as You Want?

If the cafe has printed manga, you can read as much as you like while you’re there.

Just take the manga you want from the shelf and bring it back to your seat.

Some cafes also have search terminals where you can enter a title or author’s name to find out which shelf the manga is on.

If you’re studying Japanese through manga or anime, this can be a really fun experience.

And if you already know the story from the anime version, it may be easier to follow the Japanese dialogue in the manga.

Of course, the manga belongs to the cafe, so you can’t take it with you.

If you find something you love and want your own copy, you can buy it later at a bookstore or secondhand bookstore.

Are Internet Cafes in Japan Open 24 Hours?

Many internet cafes are open 24 hours, but not every location is.

DiCE operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Many Jiyu Kukan locations are also open 24 hours, but there are exceptions.

For example, the Yonago Manga Museum location has different opening hours depending on the day.

So:

“Internet cafe” does not automatically mean “open 24 hours.”

If you’ve missed the last train or plan to stay until morning, always check the opening hours of the specific location first.

How Are Internet Cafe Prices Calculated?

At most Japanese internet cafes, the price is mainly based on:

Time used + seat or room type

Common pricing options include:

Prices vary by location.

They may also change depending on:

The slightly confusing part is how the package pricing works.

Some cafes ask you to choose a package when you enter, while others automatically switch you to a cheaper package depending on how long you stay.

At DiCE, for example, the system automatically applies an appropriate package based on your check-in time and total usage time.

Some Comic Buster locations also use automatic package pricing.

Other cafes ask you to choose your time or package when you enter.

So if it’s your first visit, check:

“If I stay longer, will the price automatically switch to a cheaper package?”

It’s worth checking this together with the price list.

Can You Really Take a Shower?

Yes. Many internet cafes in Japan have showers.

That may be surprising if you’ve never used one before.

But not every location has them.

Kaikatsu CLUB lets you search separately for locations with “free showers” and “paid showers.”

Some Manboo group locations also have showers.

DiCE lists shower rooms as a standard facility across all of its locations.

Comic Buster also has locations with shower facilities.

If your main reason for visiting is to take a shower, check:

Shampoo and body soap are available at many locations, but the exact services vary by store.

Towels are the part you especially want to check.

Some locations provide them for free, while others rent or sell them for an extra charge.

Can You Really Stay There Overnight?

Yes. If the cafe stays open through the night, you can pay to remain there until morning.

In Japan, people sometimes use internet cafes because they:

But:

“You can stay until morning” does not mean “you can sleep as comfortably as you would in a hotel.”

Depending on the location, you may spend the night in:

In semi-private booths, you may hear people moving around or other sounds nearby.

If you have a full day of sightseeing planned the next morning and want a proper night’s sleep, a hotel is the better choice.

But if your situation is:

“I missed the last train. I just need somewhere to stay for a few hours until morning.”

Then an internet cafe can be extremely useful.

Travelers under 18 should also be aware of late-night age restrictions.

For example, in Tokyo, people under 18 are not allowed to enter internet cafes or manga cafes between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

If you’re under 18, check both the local rules and the cafe’s own age restrictions before visiting.

Do They Have Drinks and Soft-Serve Ice Cream?

This is another fun part of Japanese internet cafes.

Many locations have free drink bars where you can help yourself to coffee, juice, and other drinks.

Some chains even offer soft-serve ice cream.

DiCE offers unlimited soft-serve ice cream as a standard service at all of its locations.

Some Kaikatsu CLUB and Jiyu Kukan locations also offer soft-serve ice cream.

However:

Not every internet cafe has unlimited soft-serve ice cream.

If that’s one of the things you’re looking forward to, check the services at the specific location before you go.

5 Major Internet Cafe Chains Foreign Travelers Should Know

When choosing an internet cafe, foreign travelers shouldn’t focus only on things like:

“How many locations does this chain have?” or “How many manga volumes are available?”

When you’re actually traveling, I’d look at these things first:

That makes it much easier to narrow down your options.

Here are five major chains to know.

Kaikatsu CLUB (快活CLUB)

Kaikatsu CLUB is a membership-based chain.

As a general rule, each person needs to register individually, and passports are accepted as a form of ID.

It has 498 locations across Japan, including both station-area locations and suburban stores.

Its official store search also lets you filter locations by facilities such as:

If reading manga is your main goal, make sure the location you choose actually has printed manga.

Jiyu Kukan (自遊空間)

Jiyu Kukan has 77 locations from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

Membership is generally required, but with some exceptions, you may be able to use the cafe without registering if you do not use a computer.

Passports are accepted as a form of ID.

One thing that makes Jiyu Kukan especially easy for foreign travelers is that it has an official English usage guide.

You can also select English on its self-registration kiosks.

If you’re thinking, “This is my first Japanese internet cafe, so I’d feel better if I could go through the process in English,” Jiyu Kukan is a good chain to check.

Comic Buster (コミック・バスター)

Comic Buster has 40 locations.

First-time users generally register as members and show an accepted form of identification.

One thing to know about Comic Buster is that services can vary quite a bit from one location to another.

Before you visit, it’s a good idea to check:

Shower amenities also vary by location, and some stores charge for towel rental or sell towels separately.

Manboo (マンボー)

One of the main features of the Manboo group is that membership is generally not required.

That can make things simpler for a first-time traveler.

However, if you use a computer at a Tokyo location, membership registration and ID verification are required under Tokyo regulations.

The group operates 40 locations, mainly around the Tokyo area, with additional locations in places such as Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

It also operates several different types of facilities, including:

Net Room and Manboo Plus can be particularly useful if you want a lockable private room where you can rest or take a nap.

DiCE

DiCE has 23 locations in major cities and areas including Sapporo, Sendai, Omiya, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Osaka.

You’ll also find locations in traveler-friendly areas around places such as Sapporo Station, Sendai Station, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Namba, and Umeda.

Membership is generally required, although some locations allow non-members to use the cafe.

DiCE’s official terms also list passports as an accepted form of identification.

DiCE also offers services such as:

If you’re looking for an internet cafe near a major station in a large city, DiCE is definitely worth checking.

So, Which Internet Cafe Should You Choose?

For a foreign traveler, the first thing I’d check is:

Is there one near where you are now or near your accommodation?

That’s the starting point.

Even the best-equipped internet cafe isn’t very useful if you have to spend a lot of time traveling across town to reach it.

Start by checking Google Maps or the official store search for each chain and see:

What’s near your hotel or the station you’re using?

Then narrow it down like this:

That should make the choice much easier.

In the end, don’t choose based only on the chain name. Check the opening hours and facilities of the specific location you plan to visit.

First-Time Checklist for Foreign Travelers

Before you go, check these six things and you’ll avoid most surprises.

1. Is It Open 24 Hours?

Don’t assume every internet cafe is open 24 hours. Check the actual opening hours.

2. Does It Have Printed Manga?

If reading Japanese manga is one of your main reasons for going, don’t forget to check this.

3. Does It Have Showers?

Also check the price, available hours, and whether towels are included.

4. Which Type of Seat Do You Want?

For a short stay, choose a reclining seat.

If you want to lie down, choose a flat seat.

If privacy matters most, look for a lockable private room.

5. Is Membership Required?

This varies depending on the chain and the services you use.

6. Do You Have Your Passport?

If you’re visiting Japan from overseas, bring your passport.

That way, you’ll be ready if the cafe needs to verify your identity.

Keep Quiet Inside Japanese Internet Cafes

At a Japanese internet cafe, some people are reading manga, some are working, and others may be taking a nap.

So avoid talking loudly or playing audio from your smartphone, videos, or other devices out loud.

If you’re watching videos or playing games with sound, use headphones.

At internet cafes, headphones are generally provided at PC seats or available to borrow inside the cafe.

So you don’t need to worry about bringing your own headphones just to use the computer.

If you need to make a phone call or talk with someone, use a designated area or a private room where conversation is allowed.

Some semi-private booth areas ask customers not to talk at all.

Remember that the people around you are there to enjoy some quiet time too.

Keep that in mind, and internet cafe etiquette in Japan is pretty straightforward.

Japanese Internet Cafes Can Be Very Useful for Travelers

Japanese internet cafes and manga cafes are much more than places to use the internet.

You can read manga, enjoy drinks, relax in a private space, take a shower, and more.

And if you miss the last train or can’t find a hotel room, you can even stay until morning.

Still, if you want a proper night’s sleep before a full day of sightseeing, a hotel is the better choice.

On the other hand, internet cafes can be really useful if you want to:

For those situations, an internet cafe can be a very handy option.