With the end of my second fiscal year working in Japan, I’ve just ended my second year of enkais, and luckily, for both of my schools. What’s an Enkai? Glad you asked.
In a Japanese work setting or even a restaurant setting, you might hear the word Enkai thrown around. An Enkai is basically a work banquet party, thrown by members of the office for various celebratory reasons traditionally at a local restaurant. At my schools, there’s usually an end-of-the-year party in December before winter break, and a send-off party in March before spring break. Enkais can vary in price depending on the restaurant, but usually is accompanied with good food and all-you-can-drink, alcoholic or not. I’ve heard prices as low as 3,000 yen, and one as high as 10,000 yen. The meals are set ahead of time, so usually there’s a reservation involved.
I attended my first enkai last year, at the end of the school year in March 2023. There was one December before, but because I thought the price was expensive, I didn’t go. However, when March rolled around with the same price and even with a flight the next day, I felt like I should go. I’ve heard of enkais before I came to Japan, but because I came around when corona was still a thing, I heard most enkais had stopped happening. Luckily, one of my schools was still doing proper enkai, and it would be the last time I would see some coworkers before they transferred to a new school. I figured, the experience of going to at least one in my time here and actually seeing my coworkers outside of work would be worth it. For the record, my enakais are usually 5,000 yen , and at a local sushi restaurant (as I live in a small coastal town).
I think overall, Enkais are fun if you can 1. speak Japanese, 2. have coworkers that want to talk to you, or 3. are seated near the right people. Whenever I go to one, they purposefully randomize the seats, which I suppose have their pros and cons. There’s lots of talking, they serve everyone their drink of choice, and then start off the night with a toast and cheers. Then the eating and chatting begins. At send-offs, there’s usually a section around the end when a staying staff member will give a speech and hand over a small gift to the leaving teacher, who then gives a small speech. Eating wraps up, and then everyone goes home.
Well, maybe not everyone.
First we have the Enkai, but then the real fun starts, the Nijikai, or the second party. My first ever Enkai, the Nijikai would be at a local snack bar, and at 8pm, I really wanted to go home, finish packing for my trip the next day, and get some sleep. For my first Enkai of this year, the next day was a random Wednesday national holiday (huzzah Vernal Equinox Day), and with no plans, I gladly said yes to go to the local karaoke spot with about 20 other coworkers (note, not everyone goes, and that’s perfectly okay).
There is the illusive Sanjikai (third party), that I have heard of, but I have not reached that level yet…
Oh, and before I forget. Whatever happens at the Enkai, stays at the Enkai.
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