Internet Cafes
July 16, 2006
It wasn’t until coming to Japan that I made use of Internet cafes. In fact I’m writing this at Apprecio internet cafe right now. We’re going to watch Pirates of the Caribbean 2 tonight and had a few hours to kill. Hence, here we are.
I’m not really sure how internet cafes are anymore around the world but I’ll assume for now they’re really different in Japan. Firstly, you don’t go for just the internet anymore. Most places offer manga and magazines, DVDs, Playstation 2 games, free drinks, a snack menu, and even showers. For many people, staying overnight at an internet cafe is more entertaining AND cost effective than staying at a hotel.
Right now we’re in a couple’s booth labelled, “Celeb Booth”. I’m enjoying some cappucino after watching Seed Of Chucky. A little later I might have some more softserve icecream. All this luxury for something like 600 yen an hour. It’s worth is just to escape the really hot weather right now.
As for accessing the internet, the equipment ain’t too shabby. The computer I’m using is an Asus Celeron 2.4Ghz and a 17 inch flatscreen. This kicks my laptop’s ass. Unfortunately it’s a Japanese OS which means the keyboard is messed up. (The apostrophe is SHIFT-7!?!).
The hardest part about coming to an internet cafe is usually the sign-up process. Much like most businesses in Japan, you need to go through rigorous registration with ID being tossed back and forth, address forms that read like tax forms, and staff who incessantly ask questions about what choices you want to make today. While we were signing up I saw too fellow gaijin who were having trouble understanding what the dude was trying to say.
For the traveller who is in need of a place to stay and is low on funds, I would seriously consider spending the night in one of these places. Sleeping on a leather couch with free drinks seems like a much better alternative than spending two to three hundred bucks in a shitty hotel.
