As you've been reading (or, perhaps not?), we've both been extremely busy with work, meetings, conferences and other events. I alone have been to Tokyo more times in one month than in the past year! And just when we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, a weekend where we can ride and rest, read and reflect, we are also edging into Bonenkai season.
Bonenkai －忘年会 － literally means 'forget the year party', and they are a very important part of socializing and working in Japan. It is a time to reflect on all the things that happened during the year and then to put the bad things behind us, so we are ready to start fresh again in the New Year. Of course, these parties usually involve excessive amounts of drinking to help us all relax and forget!
Though it is just mid-November, the festivities for me will begin in just a few short weeks when I attend a party with the Curves crowd, and then there will be parties fairly regularly until the end of December. Brian and I will likely be drinking quite a bit between now and then!
3 comments:
Wow,it seems they start the Bonenkai season as early in Japan as we do the Christmas season here in the USA.
Cheers!
I've heard about bonenkai parties so where and how do you go to these things? I'm coming in from another part of Asia to live the vida-loca and I'm curious to know which place is going to be the happening place
Eddie -
Bonenkai are 'year end' parties that are a ritual for the Japanese. They are usually organized by the person's department or section, or it could be a 'club' enkai, or whatever. But these are private parties and are not to be confused with the Western idea of a New Year's party.
For a 'happening' place - of course Tokyo (the Roppongi area) will have lots going on; other big cities may also have parties, and various 'gaijin bars' will be the place to be in smaller cities!
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