Entertainment
こんにちは皆さん！Good to see you guys again. Today we will talk about something that might interests you the most: entertainment. Japan is popular with its entertainment industry, for example music, anime and all the amazing arcades that you can go to and are available pretty much anywhere around Tokyo, Japan. Entertainment is something you cannot avoid in everyday life in Japan and university students in Japan are not excluded. Let's start with karaoke, Japan's biggest craze, especially among university students.
Karaoke （カラオケ）
Ka-ra-o-ké (although pronounced carry-yoke-y everywhere in the world), is the most popular way for most Japanese students to socialize and have some fun after a week of studying. Here in Japan, karaoke centres are everywhere. Near, far, where ever you are, there will be one a walk's far away.
Karaoke sessions are way cheaper than it is in Canada. There is so much karaoke centres in Japan that there is a need for cheaper price to attract more customers. ７００円 (around CAD$7.00) for unlimited time between 12pm until 7pm. In other words, however long you do karaoke during that period, it's always the same price. For example, you'll be paying the same price singing for an hour as you will for singing for, let say, 4 hours.
According to most Japanese students we talked to, they usually go for karaoke after school because it is cheaper but on weekends, it is still cheaper relative to Canada (which will cost you CAD$6.00 per hour). Anyhow, student life is stressful and a little entertainment wouldn't hurt. Next, we'll talk about nomikai.
Karaoke sessions are way cheaper than it is in Canada. There is so much karaoke centres in Japan that there is a need for cheaper price to attract more customers. ７００円 (around CAD$7.00) for unlimited time between 12pm until 7pm. In other words, however long you do karaoke during that period, it's always the same price. For example, you'll be paying the same price singing for an hour as you will for singing for, let say, 4 hours.
According to most Japanese students we talked to, they usually go for karaoke after school because it is cheaper but on weekends, it is still cheaper relative to Canada (which will cost you CAD$6.00 per hour). Anyhow, student life is stressful and a little entertainment wouldn't hurt. Next, we'll talk about nomikai.
Drinking Party（飲み会）
Nomikai is translated as a drinking party or a get-together. It is a great way to meet new friends with similar interests. Although nomikai might sound formal, it doesn’t necessary have to be. This type of get together is also an essential part of student life, as nomikai will provide greater bonds between students.
During the first week of our arrival, we went to a 歓迎飲み会 (welcome drinking party). There we mingled with our Japanese dormitory mates, and Japanese students who will be assisting us during our stay at Senshu University. We were divided into table groups. Each table can start off by ordering two drinks of their choice. After every had something to drink, the Resident Assistants gave some welcome words to us international students, then we raised our glass and did the 乾杯 (cheers).
We eat nabe (Japanese-style hotpot) and drank a lot of mixed drinks. This is a great chance to talk with other students (and take lots of selfie). Nomikai tend to be loud and cheery, as everyone is having so fun.
Sports/サークル
Another important way to release stress is sports. It is amazing to know almost everyone living at the ryou is involved in some sports or cocurricular activities, not because they are forced to but because they choose to. This is not only good for their mental health but also physical health too.
For example, one Japanese friend is very actively involved in baseball (野球). Other sports that people actively do are soccer and ping pong. In Calgary, these activities might not be viable 3/4 of the year but in contrast with the Japanese students, Canadian students do snowboarding or skiing, which is almost the same thing.
By: Muhamad and Sherry
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