Cheap Accommodation in Japan: Manga Kissa Internet Cafe

Have you heard of the famous Manga Kissa? In this article, we are going to talk about manga cafe or internet cafe and how it can be one of the best cheap accommodation options in Japan.

Manga Kissa [漫画喫茶] are places where you pay by the hour to stay in an environment that provides a space with a computer and access to a huge collection of mangas, books and free drinks.

In this article, we are going to randomly use the terms manga kissa, manga café, and internet café, but I want to let you know that both are the same thing, there is no difference. 

It is often called Manga Café or Internet Café, but both tend to provide the same things. Others go further and offer Karaoke, pool and even some arcade machines. Becoming a cheaper entertainment option than a Karaoke Box or Spocha.

Manga kissa - internet café - cheap accommodation in Japan
The furatto of a manga kissa
The word Manga Kissa [漫画喫茶] is translated as Manga Café, but its characters [喫茶] also mean tea house. The venue offers tea, coffee and soft drinks and sometimes alcoholic beverages. Kissa is short for kissaten [喫茶店]. 

How does a Manga Kissa or Internet Café work?

As soon as you enter the site for the first time, you will need to register. Then you get a points card which also serves to access other manga cafes from the same chain or franchise.

There are several types of private rooms and seats. If you want to stay in a Manga Kissa, we recommend ordering the furatto [フラット] which is an enclosed place with a padded floor (mat) and a computer with enough space that it looks like a bed.

Manga kissa - internet café - cheap accommodation in Japan
The furatto of a manga kissa

There are public chairs such as a Cyber Café or private chairs, some with massage chairs or recliners. You can also read in other spaces of the place or just grab a blanket and pillow to sleep. Some spaces are exclusively for women.

Prices for spending one night (12 hours) at an Internet Café or Manga Café range from 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen depending on the location or service offered.

After registering and choosing the type of accommodation you want, you will receive a form that indicates the number of the place you will stay. In this place you have access to a computer with very good internet and headphones.

Manga kissa - internet café - cheap accommodation in Japan
Some of the benefits of a manga kissa

You can leave the room whenever you want, pick up any manga or book, drink all you want, sometimes even have ice cream. Meals are paid for, you can order from the computer and they take it to your space.

Manga Café also offers showers, washing machines, lockers, VR, video games, television, free Wi-Fi and much more. Not all Manga Kissa offer everything, it is necessary to search for images of the place in the Google Maps.

How is a Manga Kissa or Manga Café charged?

When choosing your seat, some places ask how long you want to stay. You can exceed this time, but you will be charged an additional fee if you exceed this time. On your computer and on the form you receive you will find price and time details. Coffee Manga usually follow the following average:

Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
30 minutes.200 yen
1 hour.400 yen
3 hours.1,000 yen
5 hours.1,400 yen
6 hours. 1,200 yen
8 hours.1,500 yen
12 hours.2,000 yen

You can use the beverage machines at will, but instant snacks, shower and other perks can be charged separately. Some places offer a simple breakfast for free.

On weekends the price is usually around 300 yen more expensive. Be careful not to overstay, they may charge 100-150 yen for every additional 15 minutes you stay.

You can find the ideal manga kissa using Google Maps and searching for the terms: manga kissa [マンガ喫茶], intaanetto kafe [インターネットカフェ] or the name of the network you want to find. 

The best Manga Kissa in Japan

There are several franchises Manga Kissa as well as some individual and local Manga cafés. Below I will list one of the most popular internet cafe and manga cafe franchises in Japan:

  • Kaikatsu Club;
  • Genera Generate;
  • Manboo;
  • appreciate;
  • Space Create;
  • Customa;
  • Great Cyber Café;
  • Popeye coffee media;

As unfortunately I only had the chance to try the Kaikatsu Club, it stands as my highest recommendation. My friend said second best is Aprecio. Of course this depends on taste, I think it pays to test each one, especially the ones that are not part of a manga kissa franchise or chain.

In big cities like Osaka and Tokyo you can find many different and unique Manga Cafés. There are innovative manga kissa that can sometimes even have onsen, beds or that look more like a hostel than a manga cafe.

Manga kissa - internet café - cheap accommodation in Japan
The furatto of a manga kissa
It is believed that the first Manga Kissa or Manga Café appeared in the 1960s in Nagoya and Tokyo. 

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

My experience at Kaikatsu Club - Comic Internet

When I was in Japan I stayed 3 times at a Kaikatsu Club, the first time I slept in a Karaoke room while my friend stayed at the furatto [フラット]. The good thing about the karaoke room is the long bench that allowed me to stretch out completely.

Luckily the second time I went to the Kaikatsu Club the furatto The one I got was pretty big and allowed me to fully stretch out, even though I'm 1.80. This time I had the chance to test the internet and watch 4k videos loaded instantly.

Manga kissa - internet café - cheap accommodation in Japan

It was an amazing experience, much cheaper than hostels that usually cost over 3,000 yen, and sometimes they didn't even have good Wi-Fi. The only downside I had at the Kaikatsu Club is the luggage issue, but I didn't even look for details on that, as I didn't have the bags.

To this day I keep my Manga Kissa card Kaikatsu Club [快活CLUB], my friend just called this place komikko intaanetto [コミック&インターネット], after I understood that these characters were kaikatsu which means excited, happy and rest.

I hope you enjoyed the article! If you liked it, share it with your friends and leave your comments... If you have any questions, just leave them in the comments. It's essential to visit an Internet Café or Manga Kissa when in Japan! Highly recommended!

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