Due to travel complications on my way back from Sapporo, I was forced to spend a night in Sendai, and that’s when I discovered DiCE.
DiCE is one of Japan’s many franchises of Internet & Manga cafes where you can stay the night in a private cubicle. A great option for last minute accommodation, it cost me less than 3,000 yen for the night with all inclusions. While you get high speed Internet and access to countless PC games and TV programs, I’ll be focusing more on the accommodation aspects of this DiCE branch in Sendai.
Unlimited Drinks & Ice Cream
Firstly, the drink bar alone is where you can get all the value for your money. Coffee, tea, soda, and juice are just some of the many drinks that you will have endless access to when you reserve a cubicle at DiCE. Not only that, but you also get access to the soft serve machine which has intriguing flavors like orange and matcha green tea.
Cozy Cubicles
The vibe at DiCE Internet & Manga Cafe is really warm and cozy. The floors are all carpeted, and the color scheme is a soft grey and black that is easy on the eyes.
You have a choice between single rooms or party rooms that can hold up to 6 people. Of course, I opted for the single room and was shown to what looked like a rather small cubicle.
While it looked nice and cozy inside, I was a little concerned about whether I’d be able to sleep here comfortably, particularly as a rather tall fellow.
Everything You Need
Well, I was half right, it was difficult to get enough leg room even when I lay the recliner completely flat. Not the worst, though, I’d say it’s probably about the level of comfort as business class on an airplane (not that I’ve ever flown business).
In any case, I found it more comfortable to just lay on the carpeted ground where I could stretch my legs at full length underneath the table.
In terms of the services, DiCE really does provide everything you need for a fantastic stay!
Toilets, showers, television, PC, charging ports, and Wi-Fi access allow you to have all your basic necessities taken care of just like any hotel would provide.
Endless Manga
For otakus or manga nerds, DiCE is a treasure trove of endless manga comics in every genre imaginable.
From action to adventure, sci-fi, romance, thriller, and more, there wasn’t a single manga series I could think of that wasn’t on these shelves.
Feel free to grab a whole bunch of your favorite manga books and spend the night reading in your cozy cubicle.
For y’all older folk, there are also newspapers and magazines to choose from too (though they are typically in Japanese).
Order Food!
One of the services I wish I tried but was far too sleepy at the time was the in-room dining service.
You simply scan the barcode and get access to a full menu of food and drink that you can order straight to your cubicle and have it charged to your total bill when you check out.
Options include Japanese cuisine classics like takoyaki (octopus dumplings), curry and rice, and more western-style dishes like french fries and crispy chicken.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!