Japan is often known as the birthplace of many quirky, funny things. However, not much about Japan is actually known to foreigners. Have you ever wondered what sorts of entertainment young Japanese adults indulge in? If you have, this is the perfect article for you, and if you haven't, I believe you'll still enjoy reading about it.
Read on to discover the pastimes of young Japanese adults!
One of the most popular and reliable forms of entertainment for a day out with friends is karaoke (literally meaning “empty orchestra”). Karaoke buildings are easy to find all over the city, rates are very affordable and the variety of songs encompasses everything from the Beatles to Beyoncé to modern day J-pop. The rooms they rent out are spacious: six, seven people would fit quite easily. On top of that, there is “room service,” that is, the option to have drinks and light meals delivered to your room. Since karaoke is accessible, cheap and a lot of fun, it is no wonder that it is a favored pastime for many people.
Next, often occupying the same building as karaoke are game arcades, or as we call them, game centers. These are a hubbub of game noises, colorful lights and laughing people. There are many kinds of games. I’m sure many of you are familiar with crane games, where one manipulates a claw in an attempt to hook up a prize. In Japanese arcades, crane games (or UFO catchers, as they are called) usually take up an entire floor. The variety of prizes is astounding. There is always something for everybody. (But beware — these contraptions are very, very adept at relieving your wallet of money, slowly but surely!)
Other prevalent games include fighting games and shooters, but perhaps the most popular are the rhythm games. For the most part, these games cost 100 yen (a little under a dollar) to play, with the possibility of playing an extra round for free if you win. The sheer amount of choices and open, cheery atmosphere definitely contribute to game arcades' popularity.
There are many places a group of friends can choose to enjoy time together, from family restaurants and cafes, as well as the aforementioned karaoke and game arcades. However, there are also plenty of things to do by yourself. If you are interested in manga, or Japanese comics, the manga cafe is the place for you. For a flat fee, one can enjoy long periods of time in a manga library of sorts, rifling through as many books as they like. These libraries are well stocked and have a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for some reading alone time.
Additionally, a net cafe usually accompanies these libraries. This is where computer spaces are rented out to those who, for whatever reason, do not want to stay at home to surf the web or play a video game or two. These places offer privacy and entertainment at one's own discretion, making them popular among young adults who are particular to manga or the Internet.
Moving on to the more nocturnal activities that are highly favored: visiting Izakaya, or “taverns” after a long day of classes or work. The Izakaya mainly serve various types of beer, flavored alcoholic drinks and rice wine, complimented by small snacks or meals. It is similar to a bar, but Izakaya tends to have a larger food menu available. The atmosphere in these taverns is very open, even festive at times (depending on the tipsiness of the patrons). These places offer an opportunity to unwind and let go of the stress inevitably accumulated over the day, and are very popular among many young adults.
The Japanese live in a very different society or environment from those in the U.S. Consequently, their forms of entertainment are somewhat different as well. However, despite this difference, these places to visit are sure to entertain foreigners too. So next time you visit Tokyo, impress your friends with an insiders knowledge of entertainment in the city and enjoy some quality Japanese entertainment.
More on Japanese culture in the future!
