In December of Japan, as well as Christmas party, there is an important party another. It's called the "Bounenkai (忘年会)".
Forgetting the year in Japanese Lifestyle!
Japanese held a party to celebrate the end of one year, as greet the year of peace.
Japan's Bounenkai are a festival unto themselves. Said to be celebrated like nowhere else on the planet, Japan's version of end-of-year parties, called bounenkai, are banquet events held in December for friends, family and co-workers to eat and drink away the woes and troubles of the closing year.
Bounenkai are usually held on a date in December in anticipation of the coming New Year, although New Year's Eve, known as Omisoka, is traditionally reserved for other activities as it carries a different cultural meaning. While today's bounenkai can also refer to get-togethers among family and friends where people eat, drink and sometimes go out for karaoke, it is more typically a work affair where colleagues organize a banquet-type feast with their peers and superiors.
Bounenkai History
The tradition of bounenkai in Japan is an ancient one, with its origins said to trace back to the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185-1573). It is believed to have first been limited to the privileged classes, such as aristocracy and the Imperial Family, and did not spread to the general public until around the time of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Food Favorites
In addition to Japan's many opulent all-you-can-drink and all-you-can-eat options, popular bounenkai favorites include traditional dishes unique to Japanese cuisine such as assorted sashimi, yakitori and hot pot dishes.
 |
 |
If you plan on visiting Japan during the New Year, we highly recommend experiencing
Japanese culture in the form of our unique and memorable bounenkai.
