Any adult calling Japan home has, at some point in their lives, been faced with the possibility of missing the last train, bus, or tram home. In some unfortunate cases, it has become a reality. Now, you could always taxi home. This option becomes more realistic if you can split the cost with friends who live in the same area, or if you live nearby. But let’s face it: taxi prices can add up really quickly unless you live within a five-minute radius. Plus, killing time in a Japanese city until the morning train or bus is a quintessential experience that everyone should have at least once.
But, what’s a poor lost soul to do for four hours? Luckily, even if spending the early morning hours in a bar doesn’t sound appealing, Japanese cities have got plenty of options to keep you entertained, comfortable and maybe even a little refreshed by the time you go catch your early morning ride home.
Internet Cafes
Also known colloquially as manga cafes, this is a great option to have in your back pocket for situations even beyond missing your ride home. Internet cafes are found in many countries around the world, but few are as sophisticated as the ones in Japan. They are the manga haven that their moniker suggests PLUS so much more!
They’re generally open 24/7 and you can, of course, stop in during the day for a post-work manga-reading session. But we’re not talking about days when you’ve got hours before the shuuden (終電 – last train) whisks you home to bed. The good news is that manga cafes are equally useful at night. For between around ¥1,200-2,500, you can get some shuteye in a private room with access to a drink bar, showers, free WiFi and even a laundry room in some cases, not to mention the thousands of volumes of manga. Some of the big names even have extra amenities like pool, darts, video games and even karaoke rooms.
A number of these cafes will charge you a sign up fee of around ¥500 or less, but once you’re a member, you don’t have to pay this fee again. Kaikatsu (快活), one of the most well-known internet cafes, sometimes even has promotions waiving this fee if you sign up using their app. Whether you’re planning on passing the time sleeping or continuing the party playing Monster Hunter, it’s worth looking into a short stay at an internet cafe.
Karaoke
Perhaps a surprising option considering how this activity is associated with lively after parties of boisterous renditions of everyone’s favorite hits, karaoke isn’t the first place you’d think of to take shelter in the early morning hours. But, think about it: private rooms, free soft drink bars, comfy couches… Karaoke parlors are a wonderful option! As long as nothing illegal is going on behind closed doors, these establishments don’t really care whether any singing gets done. I’ve even known people to rent a karaoke room for a couple of hours to host a white elephant gift exchange!
Not every karaoke chain is open 24 hours, so be sure to check the individual store. Many have “unlimited” karaoke packages, but you can also book for a few hours at a time. Expect to pay around ¥1,500-3,000 to stay overnight, however if you only need a room for a few hours and won’t be drinking alcohol, you can keep your bill fairly low. Some of the most popular karaoke chains include Karaoke Kan, Joysound, Manekineko and Big Echo.
Capsule Hotel
You can’t write a list of last-minute places to stay in Japan without including capsule hotels. Once a little-known corner of Japan, these miniature hotel rooms have joined the ranks of sushi, private ramen booths and traditional tea ceremony in both prestige and mystery.
While certainly the closest to a traditional night’s rest out of all these options, it doesn’t make for nearly as good a story, in my opinion. It will also set you back a couple thousand more yen, as average prices lie around ¥3,000-5,000.
Family Restaurant
If you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter than a bar to hang out the rest of the night, find a family restaurant near you. Even if you think you’ve never heard of these establishments, you’ve undoubtedly come across one at some point because they are EVERYWHERE. Some common names include Joyfull, Saizeriya, Royal Host and Gusto. Not every location is 24 hours, but many are. And let’s face it: at the end of a night out, people usually want nothing more than to tuck into a rich hamburg or warm curry. You can also rehydrate, as most family restaurants will offer an unlimited drink bar option to accompany your food.
This is a great option if you are alone or with a couple of other people and want to kill a few hours in a warm, well-lit place. At around ¥1,000-1,200 for a meal, it’s one of the most economical options as well!
Sento
Perhaps even better than sleeping in a bed is enjoying a sentō (銭湯), or public bathhouse, overnight. Paying one a visit allows you the opportunity to soak in hot baths, steam in saunas, and rejuvenate your body. 24-hour locations are easier to find in bigger cities like Tokyo or Osaka, however there are even options in smaller cities like Nagasaki. In many cases, 24-hour sentō also offer some kind of accommodation similar to a capsule hotel, so you can even squeeze in some quality hours of shut eye.
Entrance fees are usually quite affordable, especially if you don’t pay for a capsule hotel room. Spa World, which is located in Osaka, charges ¥1,500 for example. This particular location is massive, and aptly named a “hot spring theme park”, so if you find a smaller one you could pay even less.
Japan’s unique living situations mean that, while your apartment might be tiny, there’s lots of options for a little privacy. The ability to rent a largely private space for a few hours is hard to come by in many countries, and would even be considered a luxury for most. Given their omnipresence, you don’t have to break the bank to use one, and they can be a lifesaver if you find yourself stranded in the city overnight.
