Customs in Leaving the Office

I did not knew that once you left your company, you should attend a last farewell party for everyone in the company along with the new employees. They call it ENKAI. Another drinking party in conjunction with Nenmatsukai, Bounenkai and second day of the year ENKAI. Whew, so many ENKAIs of some sort. And the worst is that, no one informed me that this should be the custom you have to observe when leaving the company. All right, so I blew it up. I only knew when I transferred to a new company that the people that left my new company, joined the ENKAI and all of them gave farewell speeches. Perhaps, there are reasons why it happened. Maybe because I had a terrible experience with the people around me when I was with my previous company. To some extent, I didn't mind reaching out to them. For those who will leave their company, make it a habit to attend their ENKAI before officially moving out or transferring work.

First Snow

Snow fell gradually around 7AM. Snow might have taken its toll on my present condition. I have slight fever today and having like flu symptoms. It's a remarkable feeling to experience snow for the first time and having to crush the lump of snow with my bare hands is exciting as having probably my first kiss. Hahaha... Luckily, I brought some medicines with me to keep me sane for a while. My Internet will be until the end of the month only since my housemate decided to move. So I kinda feel sad because my Internet will be gone. Snow though is not as cold as when the wind breeze comes in during Spring, as one of my colleagues said here. The surge of snow made myself to confine in the four-corners of my tatami room as I watch helplessly from the window and just enjoying the sight of falling snow. Snow fell for almost 5 hours up until a while ago. Then it stopped just now. I hope snow falls in tomorrow and the coming days ahead. Tanoshikatta desu.

After the surge, I went out to test my endurance and to grasp the snow.

Nomikai, Bounenkai, Saigonohikai: A Series of Three Drinking Parties

This year, I had experienced three types of Japanese custom in my company. When our company detached itself from a huge corporation, our Shachou (president) has to somewhat reintroduce the new policy and status of the company to all of the employees. To which, we had a nomikai (drinking party).

Then shortly after a week, we had our bounenkai. Bounenkai literally means forgetting the year party. It is like forgetting all of the troubles that the Japanese experienced during the past year. Here in Tokyo, during the 1st and 2nd week of December, most restaurants are fully booked with companies who celebrate their company's year-end party. Three locations within the Yamanote Line are very popular when it comes to celebrating the annual bounenkai of each companies. They are namely Hamamatsuchou, Shinbashi and Yuurakuchou stations. Here, you will encounter drunk individuals during the 1st up to the 3rd week of December almost every night. It is where most companies celebrate and to which, these areas, have high concentrations of companies from multi-national, international and even small local companies.

So what to expect in a bounenkai? Well, what was on our menu that time? Overflowing Asahi beer, mame (frozen beans), takoyaki (grilled octopus balls), grilled beef with salad, karaage (fried chicken), rice, sushi and sashimi, maki, and lots of rice cracker snacks. Well, that is how I can only recall. Not that much isn't it? Also, our company had a bingo for everyone. Prizes? Kobe beef, IPOD, rice packs and 30,000 yen courtesy from our Chairman.

Before even the bounenkai starts, a traditional kampai (cheers) is officiated by any high ranking official of the company. Then individual introduction of shinjin (new employees) are introduced to everyone. Well, kouhai-sempai relationships are really being valued by the Japanese. Kouhai (the lower ranks) serve the sempais (upper ranks) with beer. Most of the times, I forget doing this because in Philippines, we are used to individual serve-yourself style unless someone does it for everyone. Well, 3 bottles of Asahi beer are no match to me. I am still not drunk but a little tipsy. Red Horse and Strong Ice are still the strongest for me.



The siagonohikai (Last Day Meeting Party) is a less formal form of drinking party. But before it is being celebrated during the last hour of the day, entire staff conducts souji (cleaning) in the entire surroundings. Packs of Asahi beers are distributed to everyone. For non-beer drinkers, cold green tea is served. Kampai is also done ceremonially.

Morning Aisatsu (挨拶)

It started this morning when my boss gave me a task to lead the daily morning aisatsu. Aisatsu is a usual ritual that Japanese companies do during the start of the day. It is where everybody in the company gathers in a form of circle and then greet several usual business greetings in Japanese in a form of group recital headed by which is of course, me. Here is the script.

1. Ohayou gozaimasu. (Today's date) jyuu ni Gatsu ni jyuu roku Nichi chourei o hajimemasu.　
おはようございます。 十二月二十六日朝礼を始めます。
Good Morning. Today is December 26. Start of the morning assembly.


2. Aisatsu okonaimasu.
挨拶おこないます。

Repeat twice.

- Ohayou gozaimasu.
おはようございます。
Good morning.

- Otsukaresamadeshita.
お疲れ様でした。

- Irasshaimase.
いらっさいませ。
Welcome.

- Kashikomarimashita.
かしこまりました。
I am glad to be of service.

- Arigatou gozaimashita.
有難うございました。
Thank you.

3. Shachou kouwa onegaitashimasu.
社長講話お願いいたします。
(Here every first working day of the week, the President has its first comment for the day.)

4. Kakubumon houkoku onegai itashimasu.
各部門報告お願いいたします。
(Each divisions in the office are given their opportunity to give some updates)

- Eigyou hon bu onegai itashimasu. (Business/Sales department)
営業本部お願いいたします。

- Kanri hon bu onegai itashimas. (Administration department)
管理本部お願いいたします。

- HR onegai itashimasu. (Human Resources)
HRお願いいたします。

- Kyou iku hon bu onegai itashimasu. (Education Department)
教育本部お願いいたします。

- Call center onegai itashimasu. (Call center Department)
コールセンターお願いいたします。

5. Ijyou hon jitsu mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
That is all for today.
以上。本日も宜しくお願いいたします。


Remember to speak it out loudly and clearly.

Hotel Capsule

Because space is so expensive here in Tokyo, capsule hotels are very popular. Here in Okachimachi, me, along with Ryan, my neighbor way back in Davao, passed along this Sauna and Hotel Capsule. Interesting find...

Day of Culture (Bunka no Hi)

This is quite a late blog of mine but its better late than never.



Celebrated every November 3rd, Culture Day in Japan. Colleges and universities are in full-swing with their activities for almost several days to a week. Here in Kunitachi, a local university is hosting different gigs and events to commemorate, promote and share the Japanese culture and tradition.

Also, during this day, a lot of octopus are being sacrificed to be sold as takoyaki (a kind of grilled mixture of flour, egg, spices and octopus tentacles shaped into balls). Streets here in Kunitachi are filled with bazaars like food stalls, clothes, games for kids, tropical fishes and even electric goods like CDs and home appliances.


This is also a time where gaikokujins should roam around because you can really feel the vibrant reception and mood of the people. See unusual things about Japan and the way how celebrate holidays sometimes call my attention. Philippine holidays are not really into culture. It's more of a day-off for some and people flock to malls and restaurants.


Culture day here in Kunitachi is filled with dance, songs, performances, paid archery arcade for kids, food, food and lots of food.

Real Life-Sized Daruma Dolls

Written is the name of the owner of the house I am presently residing at. It is Yamamoto which means origin of the mountain. This dolls are inside my room. Sometimes, I feel surprised staring to this doll because of its huge eyes.