Bonenkai, the “Forget-the-Year” Parties in Japan

We’ve entered that hectic period near the end of the year the Japanese call “Shiwasu,” and it seems no one has enough to time for all the stuff they need done. December is the month for bonenkai, a year-end gathering of employees of companies, members of clubs or any other group of friends, which literally means “forget-the-year party.” A tradition going back to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), a bonenkai party is a good time to reflect on the events of the past year while eating good food and imbibing large amounts of alcohol, or oolong tea, if you prefer. As with just about any aspect of Japan, you can find interesting cultural tidbits hidden inside. Formal events like bonenkai are reaffirmations of the group itself, and it’s quite important for everyone in the organization to participate in the party to avoid being seen as an outsider and damaging the wa, or harmony. While I love any excuse to visit a traditional izakaya bar, the year-end-party season can be a little rough on a person. If you’ve got a lot of friends and business associates, you may find yourself invited to more parties than you would like to attend, and just about every bar and restaurant is filled to capacity. Also, going home on packed trains with extra-drunk salarymen is just no fun.

Bonenkai season is drunk salaryman season.