Getting lost in Tokyo's media immersion pods [update 1]
by Vladimir Cole 
{ May 17th 2006 at 1:01PM }
New York Times reporter Virginia Heffernan writes about her experience in a Shinjuku "media immersion pod," where an unlimited, nine-hour supply of comics, television programming, porn, movies, and (of course) video games are available for just $10.
We were typing really fast, so we'll run that by you again, more slowly: ALL YOU CAN EAT MEDIA BUFFET: $10! Wow. And to think we paid $100 per night during our TGS visit for a hotel that had none of those amenities. (The pods actually look like office cubicles, not futuristic techno-wombs like the photo at right, just to be clear.)
Too bad an establishment like this would never survive in NYC. Within a week of opening, nutjobs, drug addicts, drunkards, and thieves would completely wreck the place. We're looking forward to experiencing some of this media bliss at this year's Tokyo Games Show, where readers can expect blog posts to be filed from such a pod, if they'll admit Gaijin.
[Image credit: www.technovelgy.com]
[Update 1: made it clear that the photograph that accompanies this post is not a picture of the pods the NYT writes about.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aaron @ May 17th 2006 1:06PM
Wow, that's unreal. I want a place like that. Those pods look alot more comfortable than an iPod, and for media, I guess these are the real "I Pods".
Alkaiser @ May 17th 2006 1:18PM
Do you really want to sit in a pod like where someone has recently had access to 9 hours of porn?
Anyway, this basically sounds like the standard internet cafe in Japan. Go in check your mail for a decent price, get free drinks in some cases, use it as a cheap hotel room in other cases and begone.
Also, Gaijin is not supposed to be capitalized, and I'm fairly certain that if Virginia Heffernan is able to get in, you'll be too. In fact, the only establishments in Japan I've ever heard of refusing service are a very, very limited number of bars and some sex clubs.
Anyway, I'd like to point out something very important. The cyber cafe is only the $10/9 hours rate at night. If you swing through any time during the day, you're likely to find the more standard internet cafe price of 300 yen/hour or more.
David @ May 17th 2006 1:30PM
In NYC they have these 'Pods' where you pay to take naps in the middle of the day, I hear they're really comfortable and play soothing music in the background.
But speaking of TGS, only 4 months to go for that one, Kojima says he plans to have a demo, probably non playable by any public, of gameplay. Can't wait.
ac @ May 17th 2006 1:34PM
"...an unlimited, nine-hour supply..."
huh?
David @ May 17th 2006 1:36PM
heh oddly enough the NYC ones look very similar also
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0902/p12s02-lign.html
Alkaiser @ May 17th 2006 1:52PM
ac:
"...an unlimited, nine-hour supply..."
As in, all you can consume in a 9-hour span.
Fist Of Konshu @ May 17th 2006 2:22PM
am I the only one that thinks this looks like you are being eaten by a white Pacman with shades and a long tongue
Gonzo @ May 17th 2006 2:28PM
I resent that remark.
Wait
No I don't; you're right: we would just wreck the place.
Thanks for bringing up a good point Alkaiser, who's cleaning these things? Are they licenced?
I'm just saying that since Disney took over Times Square, there have been allot of out of work jiz-moppers around here. They're pretty pathetic too; sneaking into token booths, cubicles, and those little ice cream carts the cops drive; just to clean and feel usefull.
patrick @ May 17th 2006 3:55PM
that's almost as silly as sitting in one of those massage booths in public.
guyinjapan @ May 17th 2006 4:24PM
Haha I don't have much to do this weekend; maybe I'll stop by and let you guys know if it's any good. I can't think of anyone in their right mind, though, who would actually take up all 9 hours of their life in a little pod like that, but maybe a couple of hours is worth a try.
guyinjapan @ May 17th 2006 4:48PM
Hold up! I actually read the article and I think Joystiq needs to revise their article. The linked article details the Gran Cyber Cafe chain- I was in one last week and watched a movie with some friends. But after reading this article, I had no idea that Joystiq was refering to something I did recently. That right there is a clue that your information is a bit misleading.
There are no "pods" and never have been- calling these things "pods" is a poor choice of words. From firsthand experience, the "pods" that NY Times speaks of are small black cubicles in large dark office-esque rooms, and they fit about three or four people at max if you squeeze in to the little leather couch they have wrapped around the walls inside. Inside the cubicle are usually two computers, and I usually watch a movie on one and surf the net on the other, or sometimes I don't even pay attention to any of it at all and screw around with friends instead. Yeah, the "pods" only cost 10 dollars, but they aren't anything like the picture you guys show. They're cozy mini-cubicles that you can squeeze in to and relax in for 9 hours. No futuristic pod here, guys.
That having been said, I still love Gran Cyber Cafe- there always seems to be room, and it has a very lovable atmosphere- warm, quiet, dark, and maze-like. Only one thing pisses me off- you can't talk on cellphones... and when you get a call and have to answer it really sucks to try and run through the maze of escalators and one-way hallways to find your way back to the lobby. Anyway, I think you need to work on phrasing your information, Joystiq. When I first read it, I thought you were detailing some sort of virtual reality pod ("media immersion pod" combined with that picture really gives that sort of impression), and I had to click on the NY Times link and read that to realize that you were just detailing a cyber cafe that I regard with fondness and familiarity. That's a hint that maybe you need to be a little more specific and accurate in your articles next time.
panasianbiz @ May 17th 2006 5:06PM
Count me in with the people who think this doesn't sound like such a fantastic idea. Who wants to sit in a chair, alone, for 9 straight hours like that? I doubt that too many customers actually stay for the whole time!
Sam @ May 17th 2006 8:56PM
I sit at my computer desk for 8 hours straight all the time. I'd love to be able to pay for a more comfortable space like that.
Hernie @ May 18th 2006 1:50AM
Those pods look exactly like the Metro Nap pods in NYC by my school, unfortunately the pods only have relaxing sounds, as far as media goes.
Jason @ May 18th 2006 4:57AM
What?? I want to see this. I'm going to go to Shinjuku this weekend and look for these things. Freaking sweet. But I don't want to read comics or watch porn. Eh, maybe I won't. There are plenty of better things to do in Tokyo.
ArC @ May 18th 2006 7:04AM
I've been. Joystiq's photo illustration is seriously misleading. See the non-print version of the article for actual pictures:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/arts/14heff.html?ex=1305259200&en=3941ff903992e111&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
The smoke and claustrophobic dimensions ("mini-cubicle" is right) were seriously off-putting, but then again, the biggest plus was that it was a place to sit down after walking all day and get connected for a relatively cheap price.