Nap Time Cafe

Japan is no stranger to cafes.

One of the things that pleasently surprised me about Japan when I first moved here was the amount of small wonderful, non hipster filled cafes that you can find in all the crannies of Japan. Among these cafes, some are pretty awesome, and some are just...less awesome than others. And still others are known for their uniqueness like their maid cafes and cat cafes.

But this one is truly unique to me. Not even anime, manga, or any stereotype about  Japan prepared me for this level of greatness. Nap Cafes.
Nap cafes are exactly what you might think they are. A place to get a little bit of shut eye in the long working day. How is that so? Well they offer bedding of various types, chairs, loungers, hammocks, sofas, futons, beds. I am sure there is an even greater variety than just those too. So basically you can go there during your afternoon tea break, or during lunch, or just whenever you can make your escape for a bit of time, and rest up for the rest of your working day, and evening, and night. Yup that is right, night too. Japanese men and women probably need these cafes more than anyone I know. They work so hard and so late, the convenience store, 7-11 has a whole new meaning in Japan. It pretty much identifies with the hours that those salary men work.
These cafes become a necessity in not only offering the eyes and minds of salary men and women a bit of respite, but also function as the name suggest, as a cafe. Or at least the majority do. These cafes will serve things like coffee, teas, and what cafe is not complete without a bit of cake, no? Other say they offer aromatherapy  to help in relaxation or even a massage! How nice! And still more are only for women and have a make up room to help those women touch up their hair and make up so you that they don't have to do it on the train.

But these cafes do not come cheap. On lists 150 yen per min. That is nearly two American dollars. 10 minutes? You are already looking at over $15.00. The recommended power nap is what 45 minutes? that is well over $60.00. However the same cafe says they do several hour package plans at a much more reasonable price. So you are better off going for the long haul as opposed to just catching a few Z's.

Coincidentally, not a Nap cafe! haha!

Oh and here is a bonus if you are one of those Forever Alone types. There are some more specialized speel shops called Cuddle Cafes too. You can pay an extraordinary fee to cuddle with some stranger in a few select cafes. But that is about all you are allowed to do. Don't go getting hands all over her. You have you clothes on and they stay on. I am not even sure if you would have a private room. Not likely seeing as how some men would just take this opportunity a little too far. But wait! There is more! The same cuddle cafe is starting a delivery cuddle service. Not that seems a bit call girlish to me and probably pushes the envelope for the decency of well, pretty much anyone. But this is Japan, where people stick to rules and follow what other say even when no one is watching...most of the time.
So! What would it cost to get one of these beautiful girls by your side? Well there is an entrance fee, like there is with most specialty cafes, as well as a fee for whatever you do (coffee, sleeping, the amount of sleeping time, breathing...you know the basics). So I think with the minimum, you are looking at spending about 6000 yen. Ouch.

Seems like a pretty big upgrade from sleeping in the chairs at those net cafes that people normally do. Also beats a few hours in a capsule I think. But those options are still open if public sleeping is not quite your style or if someone there is too loud in their sleep for you to get any rest. Come to think of if...I wonder what they would do in that sort of situation...

Cuddle me in my Kotatsu

Stay warm in the winter and be cheap about it!

                 

Warmth can be pretty expensive in Japan. Most places will have Air cons that function as both air cooling and heating. Additionally they are fond of other heating appliances like these electric dishes that have directional heat, as well as these oil powered heating appliances that function extremely efficiently. The oil ones are a bit of a hazard as they do let off fumes, the advantage being that they are decently cheap.
But by far the cheapest option is a kotatsu. In the instructions to my kotatsu it tells me that it only costs one yen per hour on the lowest of settings. This pretty much cut my electric bill in half once I got this.
A kotatsu is a wonderful Japanese invention of a heated table with a futon over it. This is not as silly as it sounds. The table top lifts up and you put this large square blanket on top of the table skeleton and legs and then replace the table top. Worked into the table skeleton is a heater that send glorious rays of sunshine and warmth unto the underbelly of the table. So now you have your table with a blanket one it. Now what? You tuck in! You simply sit down on the floor ( on some floor cushions) and stretch your legs out under the blanket into the contained warmth of the kotatsu. The blanket should be one that certainly reaches the ground on all sides and then with some extra length to accommodate you if you want to tuck in further or sleep there. Sleeping is not incredibly common but you will still find a fair few taking a nap inside one of these. Typically kotatsus will have an accompanying mat that is placed on the floor below the futon. This mat is little more than a plush rug and functions as a soft carpet. Personally I already have a carpeted room and will typically sit on the zabuton ( the Japanese term for floor cushions); therefore, I have no floor mat.
Kotatsus are seen as friendly objects and social gathering places in the winter months. They just have this crazy magnetism to them that draws people in. At a good many of guest houses you will find these furnishings and it is a great way to meet people while traveling. As center pieces, placement is key and often in the center of an open area which is inviting for guests. Though on a personal level, I have my kotatsu set up in front of my TV and consequently my PS3. Perfect Placement.

For curious people who are searching for the perfect kotatsu, I found my pride and joy on sale at Konan for 6,000 yen. This one is 80cm by 80cm, but more common sizes tend to be 75cm by 75cm. There are also rectangular sizes that are fit for families and also higher off the ground. Kotatsus have been getting higher and higher off the ground. Mine has legs extensions, which has become a common feature; but others have become somewhere in between coffee table and dining table height. They are accompanied with little half chairs, the lower ones have chairs that are legless and the ones that are slightly higher have stump-legged chairs. More interestingly is a new adaptation which seems to be an entire dining table complete with chairs and a heavy quilt. Cheaper ones can be found at places like Nitori. A more expensive good quality one is found at your local Muji store ( Oh~ I love this place). And Joshin has a few for sale as well. Another good source for your kotatsu could be your local recycle shop. Personally I was pretty picky on the quality, but, back when I was not in want of a kotatsu, I found the perfect one at a recycle shop. Also when considering purchasing a kotatsu, please note that the futon (blanket) and accompanying mat are not a part of the bundle and bought separately.

If you are looking at contructing your own kotatsu, it is not as hard as it looks. There are a few websites with excellent instructions on how to build the frame and where to order a heater. And then if we are saving money throw a Queen sized comforter on top. Cotton works best for comforters but polyester is acceptable too. Kotatsu futons are not really supposed to be down or made of feathers.

Helpful links for building your own:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-an-American-style-kotatsu/
This next one is broken into parts but I found the most helpful for a person who really likes to craft.
http://osakapop.com/posts/2010/12/16/building-your-own-kotatsu-part-1/
http://osakapop.com/posts/2010/12/20/building-your-own-kotatsu-part-2/
http://osakapop.com/posts/2011/01/16/building-your-own-kotatsu-part-3/
http://osakapop.com/posts/2011/11/23/building-your-own-kotatsu-part-4/




I found this site insanely helpful and informative on ways to heat your home in Japan for anyone who is considering all the pros and cons of the different types of heating.
http://thisjapaneselife.org/2011/02/02/heating-apartment-japan/