What is a Bounenkai?

First let us break down the meaning of the world by defining the Kanji (Borrowed Chinese Characters).

忘= Forget

年= Year

会= Meet

So as you can see from the Kanji definitions the word Bounenkai is a “Forget The Year Party”. The cool thing about Bounenkai’s in Japan is that you usually get to go to several of them. My wife said that the average is about 5 Bounenkai’s for most normal folks!! Don’t be suprised if you get invited to a lot of these parties by:

• Company
• Coworkers
• University Friends
• Friends
• Family
• Students
• Team
• Clubs

At Bounenkai’s expect to have to drink and eat a lot. You might also have to go to sign at the local karaoke box after the first party is over. I recommend you get a lot of rest before these parties. It would also be a good idea to not work the day after a Bounenkai!! The number one thing you want to do at Bounenkai’s is have a good time and forget all the bad things that happened to you, and remember the good ones. The ideas is to have so much fun, you forget the negative things.