1: Find a suitable reason for throwing a party. Perhaps you’re welcoming new international students as they’ve just arrived, or maybe the week after that, or even the week after that too. Perhaps you’re celebrating the end of a successful year, or perhaps you’re just celebrating the passing of another month! It can be anything- as with most cultures, the Japanese don’t need a big occasion to party.
2: Meet at the designated meeting place, usually in front of a station. In Japan, or Tokyo at least, the area around a station is where all the action is. You’ll find department stores, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, CD shops, pachinko parlours, izakaya (Japanese-style pubs), more Western-style pubs, bars, clubs, supermarkets…. If you’re looking for something, chances are it will be near a station!
Most stations have a space in front of them, like a round-about, where it is very convenient for people to gather. Meet all of your fellow party-goers here!
Most stations have a space in front of them, like a round-about, where it is very convenient for people to gather. Meet all of your fellow party-goers here!
3: The first party. This is usually a nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) at an izakaya. Basically, it’s a medium-sized room with lots of low, traditional Japanese tables, and cushions for seats. The tables are laden with platters of food (yay!) and, inevitably, sake (alcohol). There are apparently two drinks of choice at a nomikai – beer (Asahi) and sawaa, which comes served in jugs and is basically what we’d call an alcopop, although less sweet. There’s also some tea for a refresher as well.
Once everyone has entered the room and found a seat, a small speech is made, glasses are filled, and then a cry of ‘kampai!’ is made by all. It’s time to start!
A nomihoudai is, like I mentioned, an all-you-can-drink affair – for two hours. The price is fairly reasonable, if you’re a first year or an international student – usually something like 2,500 yen, or about $~32 AUD. If you’re a sempai, or older student, you will be paying more...but being a sempai has it’s advantages! If it so pleases you, at any time during the night you can single out your favourite younger student (the word escapes me…) and command them ‘nome!’- drink!
4: The two hours have by now gone by, quickly or otherwise, and it’s time to leave if you can. Put your shoes back on, descend the many flights of stairs, and make your way back to everyone’s favourite meeting place – the roundabout! Once here, to celebrate the end of the party, gather with all of your friends in a circle, thank the organisers, and clap once all together. This is the end of the formal proceedings...
Once everyone has entered the room and found a seat, a small speech is made, glasses are filled, and then a cry of ‘kampai!’ is made by all. It’s time to start!
A nomihoudai is, like I mentioned, an all-you-can-drink affair – for two hours. The price is fairly reasonable, if you’re a first year or an international student – usually something like 2,500 yen, or about $~32 AUD. If you’re a sempai, or older student, you will be paying more...but being a sempai has it’s advantages! If it so pleases you, at any time during the night you can single out your favourite younger student (the word escapes me…) and command them ‘nome!’- drink!
4: The two hours have by now gone by, quickly or otherwise, and it’s time to leave if you can. Put your shoes back on, descend the many flights of stairs, and make your way back to everyone’s favourite meeting place – the roundabout! Once here, to celebrate the end of the party, gather with all of your friends in a circle, thank the organisers, and clap once all together. This is the end of the formal proceedings...
5: ...but not the night! Look at your watch. What? It’s only 10pm? (Remember, the first party was for two hours only, and included dinner, so it didn’t start all that late). Who wants to go to the nijikai (second party)?
The nijikai could be at another izakaya or it could be at a pub (English style). Not everyone from the first party attends, but there’s usually a sizable crowd. This time, however, the proceedings are rather slower as everyone’s rather, you could say, ‘well-greased’.
The nijikai could be at another izakaya or it could be at a pub (English style). Not everyone from the first party attends, but there’s usually a sizable crowd. This time, however, the proceedings are rather slower as everyone’s rather, you could say, ‘well-greased’.
6: The second party’s over, and it’s back again to the roundabout! By this time, it’s nearly 12, and that means the time for the last train is rapidly approaching. You know you should get going soon, but hey, it’s not that late really, and you just want to talk to that friend a little longer…
7: Oh noes! You’ve missed the last train! Whatever can you do? Why, go to an all-night karaoke of course – that’s the third party! It’s good value, too – you can sing/chat/sleep your way through the hours until the first train the next morning (5:30 or so) for a set price.
7: Oh noes! You’ve missed the last train! Whatever can you do? Why, go to an all-night karaoke of course – that’s the third party! It’s good value, too – you can sing/chat/sleep your way through the hours until the first train the next morning (5:30 or so) for a set price.
Wasn’t that a fun night?
**DISCLAIMER** This does not reflect my own experiences, but rather observations I have made from my limited experiences of going to parties during my time here. For those of you that doubt me in this disclaimer, let it be known that my dorm is in walking distance from the station and hence there is no ‘last train’ for me. :P
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