Year-End Cheers: A Guide to Japan’s Bonenkai Parties

Drinking parties are rampant everywhere in the world. But no one does it quite like Japanese people at the end of the year.

The aim of the Bonenkai is to drink such large amounts of alcohol that you literally forget the problems of the past year. It’s a fun social event that adults of all backgrounds can enjoy.

In this post, we’ll explore the tradition of Bonenkai, its etiquette, and cultural impact. 

Introduction to Bonenkai: A Tradition of Forgetting the Year

Bonenkai is a Japanese end-of-year celebration that takes the form of a drinking party among friends, club members, and co-workers. In English, the term means “forget the year gathering” or “forget the year party.” Its literal meaning refers to the party’s purpose, which is to forget the problems and troubles of the past year.

Bonenkai began in the 15th century. Back then, its main purpose was to give thanks at the end of the year. However, the practice evolved in the Edo period (1603-1868), becoming more like the drinking party we know today. Modern bonenkai involves the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol and participation in games or other activities. It can take place on any day in December, the last month of the year.

The annual event is a vital tradition for any group of friends, co-workers, and members of an organization. It provides an opportunity to let go of your emotions and release the negative thoughts that plagued you during the year. The party also allows attendees to have fun, interact more openly with each other, celebrate accomplishments, strengthen relationships, and introduce new ideas.

What Happens at a Bonenkai?

A bonenkai can be organized by friends, groups, and co-workers or sponsored by companies. Izakayas (traditional Japanese eating and drinking places) and restaurants are the most common venues, but some take place at company buildings.

Companies that organize bonenkai can sponsor the entire party themselves or request an affordable fee from all staff members. On average, this fee ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 yen. It covers the cost of participation, food, and drinks. It’s typical for attendees to get a small amount of food and unlimited drinks. The food may be served as a buffet or to everyone in their assigned seats.

The event will last for 2-3 hours. If the attendees are from the same company, it may start with a speech from the highest-ranking personnel in attendance. It could also start with a kampai (cheers) or toast. During the actual party, everyone is considered equal. Hence, you might find new and low-ranked company employees speaking freely with their superiors. Some staff members use the opportunity to express their frustrations or pitch their ideas to managers.

In the middle of all the drinking and eating, attendees participate in various fun activities. They could play games, sing-along, or engage in karaoke. Depending on the bonenkai, guests can stay for an after-party, known as nijikai. In rare cases, there is an additional party after that called sanjikai.

The Etiquette of Bonenkai

There are certain social norms and etiquette rules associated with attending a bonenkai. If you have one coming up, we highly recommend that you memorize this section. This will keep you from looking out of place or offending others at the party. The following are the unwritten rules of the bonenkai:

• Pay all associated fees and costs of participation.

• Don’t drink until everyone at the party says “kampai,” as it would be impolite to do so.

• Whether serving or receiving a drink, hold the glass or bowl with both hands.

• If you notice someone with an empty glass, offer to pour them a drink.

• Even if you’re done drinking, leave alcohol in the glass. An empty glass is a signal for a refill.

• Drink responsibly to avoid becoming a nuisance to others.

• Don’t tell stories about what people did or said at the bonenkai, particularly if they were drunk at the time.

Bonenkai Food and Drink

Let’s discuss the typical foods and drinks served at these parties, ranging from traditional Japanese party cuisine to more modern delicacies.

Common Bonenkai Foods

The following are common foods served at end-of-year drinking parties:

• Nabe: Also known as nabemono, this is the general term for Japanese hot pot. Everyone gathers around a pot of simmering broth and cooks different kinds of vegetables, seafood, and meat.

• Mochi: The popular Japanese rice cake is a staple at these events. It’s made from glutinous rice and may be stuffed with sweet red bean paste or other ingredients.

• Sashimi: Bonenkai usually feature thin slices of raw seafood or meat. The dish is known as sashimi.

• Karaage: This is more a cooking technique than an actual dish. It involves coating pieces of chicken or other meats (or fish) with flour and potato starch before deep-frying them.

• Edamame: This is made by boiling or steaming pods of immature soybeans and serving them with condiments such as salt, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and maple syrup.

Common Bonenkai Drinks

Since drinks are the star of the show, the forget-the-year parties tend to have a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. Let’s explore the most popular ones.

• Beer: This one’s a no-brainer. Japan has some of the biggest beer brands in the world. Popular beers at bonenkai drinking parties include Sapporo Premium, Asahi Super Dry, and Kirin Light.

• Sake: This is traditional Japanese rice wine. Made from fermented rice, it's arguably the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country besides beer. 

• Japanese whiskey: The Japanese version of whiskey is double distilled, just like Scotch. It’s more refined than other global variants and contains malted barley.

• Shōchū: This is a beverage distilled from barley, buckwheat, brown sugar, sweet potatoes, or other ingredients.

The Role of Shinnenkai: The New Year Counterpart

Bonenkai is not the only traditional drinking party during the holidays. Shinnenkai, also known as “New Year gathering,” is another important celebration. Both events are annual parties attended by friends and co-workers. They also involve a lot of alcohol consumption and originated from the same 15th-century party, known as nōkai. However, the parties have major differences.

Firstly, shinnenkai is generally held in January, unlike bonenkai, which takes place in December. While bonenkai is all about forgetting about the problems of the past, shinnenkai is a party for setting goals for the new year. Shinnenkai may also include elements of the Japanese New Year or Shogatsu, such as traditional mochi preparation.

Planning a Bonenkai: Tips for Organizers

You may be given the title of organizer or kanji of a bonenkai, especially if you’re a junior member of staff at the company. If that is the case, doing a good job with the company bonenkai will score you a few points with your superiors. Remember the following tips:

• If the event will be funded by the attendees, set a reasonable fee for everybody. 4,000-6,000 yen is a common fee.

• Prepare a budget based on the projected number of attendees and the participation fee.

• The best way to cut large chunks out of your expenditure is to find an affordable venue.

• Define the style of the event. For example, you can pick a restaurant with floor seating for a more traditional appeal.

• Do a lot of research during agenda setting and fill the event with games and other fun activities.

Bonenkai Party Games and Activities

The following are some popular games and activities that are typically enjoyed at Bonenkai parties to enhance camaraderie and enjoyment:

• Drinking games: The attendees can play games or contests involving the consumption of alcohol as a penalty or response to a prompt.

• Karaoke: Originating from Japan, karaoke is arguably the most popular social activity in the country. People take turns singing famous songs over a pre-recorded background track.

• Comedy performances: Bonenkai offers an opportunity to showcase your funny side. Attendees typically tell jokes or perform comedic sketches. Some might even perform magic tricks.

• Team match game: The celebrants divide themselves into teams. The organizer throws a question, and everyone writes their answers on a piece of paper. The team with the most correct answers wins.

The Impact of Bonenkai on Workplace Culture

In Japan, business relations tend to be strict and there is a big emphasis on acting “properly” in the workplace. Thanks to the copious amounts of alcohol at the bonenkai, co-workers can forget those rules and relate as equals, which is vital for team bonding.

Business networking groups also host their own year-end parties where guests can create new connections, gain industry insights, and explore opportunities.

Bringing Bonenkai Home: How to Host Your Own

You can host your own bonenkai, regardless of where you are in the world. Such parties will bring a piece of Japanese tradition to your end-of-year celebrations. Your guest list doesn’t have to be limited to family and friends. You could also invite work colleagues, managers, and business partners because it offers them a chance to see a more personal version of you.

You can host the party in your apartment, yard, or common neighborhood space. Follow our guide above to offer the most authentic experience possible.

Reflecting on Tradition: The Enduring Appeal of Bonenkai

By placing friends and co-workers in a more relaxed setting, the bonenkai brings cultural depth and communal joy to the end of the year. This unique Japanese celebration will also help you let go of the troubles that plagued the previous year and look to the future with more optimism.

While you wait for the year-end party, you can still get a taste of Japanese culture. Grab yourself a Bokksu Snack Box Subscription and enjoy a box of treats from Japan every month. We’ll deliver directly to your doorstep!