Why a Saudi Female Manager Loved Staying at a Tokyo Manga Café (Real Story)

️ Intro :

When our Saudi manager — a solo female traveler — landed in Tokyo, the last thing she expected was to sleep in a manga café.
And not just any manga café, but one located in Kabukicho — Tokyo’s most energetic and chaotic entertainment district.

With hotels fully booked and fatigue setting in, we turned to an unexpected solution: *Kaikatsu Club Kabukicho*.
To our surprise, it offered quiet private booths, clean showers, free drinks, and — most importantly — a sense of safety and privacy even late at night.

“This feels safer and more peaceful than most hotels I’ve stayed at,” she said.

This article shares her unique experience and explains why Japan’s manga cafés could be a hidden gem for solo female travelers, Muslim tourists, and anyone seeking a budget-friendly night’s stay in the heart of Tokyo.

1. How It All Started – No Hotel in Tokyo

After a long international flight, our Saudi manager arrived in Tokyo excited but exhausted.
It was late evening, and she had just landed at Haneda Airport, looking forward to settling into her hotel in Shinjuku.

But when we tried checking in — surprise.
The hotel had no record of the reservation, and nearly every nearby hotel was fully booked.
We searched online booking apps, called nearby hostels, and even considered taking a taxi to another district.
Nothing.

Tokyo is an amazing city, but arriving with no place to stay is stressful for anyone — especially for a solo female traveler in a foreign country.
It was past 10:00 p.m., and all we could think was:
**Where can she sleep safely tonight?**

2. Discovering the Manga Café Option

With hotel options exhausted and the clock ticking past 10:30 p.m., we needed a new plan.
That’s when someone suggested a manga café — something most Japanese locals are familiar with, but foreign travelers rarely consider as a place to sleep.

At first, she hesitated.
“Isn’t that just a place to read comics?” she asked, imagining bright lights, noisy teenagers, and rows of manga shelves.

But a quick online search showed otherwise.
Kaikatsu Club Kabukicho offered private booths, 24/7 access, free Wi-Fi, showers, and even drink bars.
And best of all — they had availability right away.

Out of options but curious, she agreed to give it a try.
Little did she know, this last-minute decision would turn into one of the most surprising highlights of her trip.

️ 3. A Surprisingly Comfortable Stay

Stepping into Kaikatsu Club Kabukicho was nothing like she expected.

Instead of a noisy internet café, she found a calm, quiet space with softly lit hallways, helpful staff, and a surprisingly clean environment.
The front desk handled the check-in quickly, and she was given a choice of available booths — from reclining seats to fully flat sleeping spaces.

Inside her private booth, there was a soft mat, power outlets, a large screen, headphones, and even a small desk.
It was compact but clean and secure.
A drink bar offered free coffee, juices, and tea — available all night.
The women’s shower area was spotless, with amenities like shampoo, towels, and hair dryers.

She settled in, connected to Wi-Fi, and finally exhaled.
The stress of the evening melted away as she realized something surprising:

**This was more peaceful and comfortable than many hotels.**

In a city as overwhelming as Tokyo, finding this kind of personal space — even in Kabukicho — felt like a small miracle.

4. Why It’s Perfect for Muslim and Solo Female Travelers

As a solo female traveler — and a Muslim — she had understandable concerns when arriving in a place like Kabukicho, known more for nightlife than peace and quiet.

But the manga café turned out to be a hidden gem of privacy and safety.

### Private & Secure
Each guest has a personal booth with lockable doors or curtains. The staff maintain quietness throughout the space, and security cameras are visible in shared areas. She felt completely safe even at 2:00 a.m.

### Clean Showers and Facilities
There were separate female-only shower rooms with clean towels, shampoo, and dryers. The entire place was tidier than expected — spotless, in fact — which added to the comfort.

### Respect for Privacy & Religious Needs
While there wasn’t a formal prayer room, the private booths allowed enough space and privacy for personal prayer. No one stared or disturbed her. She even found a quiet moment for Fajr the next morning.

### ️ Food and Halal Concerns
Though the café itself didn’t serve food beyond snacks and vending machines, she brought her own halal meal from earlier in the day. Many konbini nearby offer vegetarian or seafood options, which can work in a pinch.

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> “I was honestly more comfortable here than I would’ve been in a busy hostel,”
> she later said.
> “It gave me space to rest, to pray, and to recharge — all without judgment.”

—

In a country known for safety, manga cafés like Kaikatsu Club offer an underrated, female- and Muslim-friendly accommodation option — especially in busy city centers like Tokyo.

5. Final Thoughts: Not Just a Last Resort

What began as an emergency backup plan turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of her Tokyo trip.

She arrived expecting chaos, discomfort, or even danger — especially in Kabukicho.
Instead, she found comfort, cleanliness, and calm.

> “Next time I visit Tokyo, I might *choose* a manga café for the first night,” she smiled.
> “It’s affordable, private, and actually really relaxing.”

For solo travelers, budget tourists, and especially Muslim women seeking a peaceful overnight option in Japan, manga cafés like Kaikatsu Club offer more than just a place to crash.
They offer a quiet moment in the middle of a busy city — a space to rest, reflect, and recharge.

So if you ever find yourself in Tokyo with no hotel, don’t panic.
Head to a manga café.
You might be surprised by what you discover.

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Whether you’re planning a short stopover or exploring Tokyo on a tight budget, keep this hidden gem in mind. It might just become one of your favorite parts of Japan.

FAQ: Staying in a Manga Café as a Foreigner in Tokyo