I don’t know what it’s like in your country – but in Japan it’s no less than a tradition. At the beginning and end of every period – be it work or school – everyone gathers to celebrate. From seniors to juniors, everyone usually meets in a local izakaya, and goes wild! Students, professors, the CEO – all take an active part in this feast.
What starts as an informal friendly dinner ends up looking like high school buddies trying to stretch out their livers to the maximum. Drinking until you lose the ability to phrase a comprehensive sentence is completely normal.
Sounds like fun? There are a few issues I have with it:
Firstly, I don’t really find myself in these settings. Although it’s acceptable and encouraged to drink a lot, I think this phase of my life ended somewhere around 2005…
The second issue is the over-eating and over-drinking culture. It doesn’t resonate with my lifestyle and beliefs. Oh – and that’s even before I said anything about vegan food. The next section will be dedicated to that.
Another problem is the price of these meetings. I could easily eat five or more decent meals for the price of one meeting; 4,000~5,000 yen is the minimum cost, but it could also reach around 10,000 yen.
Indeed, in Japan, individuals are expected to adjust to the collective, but it just feels wrong to me. Whoever started this dubious tradition should learn one or two things about balance in life.
8 Comments
Meshi
March 29, 2020 at 2:20 pmיא מהממת! איזה פוסט שווה!
bluevagabond
March 29, 2020 at 3:48 pmתודה רבה מהממת ! 🙂
אור
March 31, 2020 at 5:32 pmפוסט קסום!! נהנתי לקרוא אותו ❤
bluevagabond
March 31, 2020 at 5:56 pmתודה רבה יקירה 🙂
אפרת כהנא
April 17, 2020 at 4:04 amI really enjoyed reading the post. it is a very interesting so different culture. it s hard to explain that culture . also, I think the Japanese like to shop anytime. shops always open and full. the shops open until late hours like 10 pm and they serve even later than 10! They spend their time and money on shopping. maybe that’s because they get high salaries and they have small families..maybe other reasons. . do you think so?
I will be happy to get your mails
Thanks
Efrat
bluevagabond
April 17, 2020 at 12:08 pmHi Efrat!
The shopping scene is very present in Japan, although not everywhere.
I guess you talk about central places like Shibuya, Ginza, Shinjuku – these are the main shopping centers of Japan.
Here in Kyoto it’s a bit milder, and shops actually close around 21:00 (sometimes earlier).
The reasons for shopping also differ greatly depending on the person, so I can’t really come with any statement about that.
So happy to hear you enjoy my newsletter!
Have an awesome day 🙂
Mila
April 29, 2023 at 8:54 pmI have to say that I am reading this post while visiting Japan (not living, only visiting) and everything in this post is 100% accurate. Even as a short-term tourist visiting for the first time for 12 days, I have already experienced everything you mentioned. Japan is wonderful to visit, but as an Israeli/American, I am not sure I could ever get used to it. Very well-written post!
bluevagabond
May 9, 2023 at 5:27 amSounds like you experienced a lot 🙂
Japan is amazing and I love this country with all my heart,
but there’s no perfect place (although many people think Japan is).
Thanks so much for your comment!