Nomikai, Japanese evenings for colleagues to drink and relax

Nomikai (飲み会), which literally means "drinking get-togethers", are a veritable social phenomenon in Japan. These evenings with friends or colleagues usually take place in izakayas, typical bar-restaurants where beer, sake and small dishes are shared. If an invitation to a nomikai from your boss is hard to refuse, these gatherings are an opportunity to strengthen ties and relax in a convivial atmosphere, punctuated by the famous "kanpai!" toast. At the end of the evening, the bill is cleverly divided, with the younger guests paying less than their elders.

Izakayas are open late into the evening, and it's not uncommon to come across groups of merry revelers late into the night, especially in lively districts such as Tokyo's Shinjuku or Osaka's Namba. With their traditional decor, typical tableware and subdued lighting with paper lanterns, these establishments immerse their customers in a 100% Japanese atmosphere. The hustle and bustle of conversation and laughter, punctuated by the "sumimasen!" of waiters slaloming between tables, give these places their authenticity.

Salarymen take part in a nomikai in Kumamoto

Wikipedia

What follows is a joyous moment of sharing, with glasses being filled and emptied to the rhythm of the passing dishes. It's customary not to refill one's own glass, but to rely on one's neighbors to refill one's glass, creating a wonderful sense of complicity. Discussions are lively, in a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the usual formalism of Japanese offices. It's an opportunity for employees to get to know each other better and exchange ideas in a more informal setting.

After a few hours of drinking and camaraderie, the official nomikai comes to an end. The bill, paid in unequal shares according to age and position, brings the moment to a close. But for some party-goers, the evening is just beginning! The most motivated continue with the "nijikai" (2nd meeting) or even the "sanjikai" (3rd meeting), in other bars, to prolong the party late into the night.

Salaryman asleep in the metro after a nomikai

Wikipedia

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