There are many (obligatory) parties throughout the year. The big one being the 歓送迎会 or kansougeikai. A kansougeikai is a school-wide staff party where staff members who are being relocated can say "Good-bye," and where new staff members re-located to your school can say "Hello." Other smaller enkai parties with the same theme will follow for the smaller teaching departments or subject areas. There may also be enkai parties to celebrate the end of big projects such as Sports Festival enkais. There are a few pages out there on enkai etiquette, so I'm just going to focus on the more interesting part:
The Food.
From my experience (agreeing to go to every enkai at every school I've worked at as long as the party times don't overlapse), it's a good chance to socialize with your neighbors. And most importantly, eat really good Japanese food at restaurants you don't normally go to. =D. Enkais are usually organized at "nice" Japanese restaurants where you get many different courses. You pay a set price to the organizer, and everyone gets the same food. You may, however, order a different drink. Surprisingly, these staff parties only last between 1.5-2 hours. Smaller parties may occur after the big ones.
Staff party costs at my school in the U.S.A. ranged somewhere between $20-$30 USD. In Japan, however, it's upwards of 5000円 or $50. The most I've paid for an enkai thus far has been 8000円 or $80, and the food was disappointing or simply not good. I have noticed that the pricier places disappoint me because they try to make their food unique or fancy, but end up experimenting with or screwing up something that was already perfect. I'm not a picky eater at all, so when I'm disappointed, that means they're no good.
Below are pictures from all the food provided at a recent enkai I attended. It was a departmental enkai for language/social science teachers. This was the second time I've been to this particular restaurant, and I really like it!
Cost: 5000円 or $50. Rating: Excellent.
Staff party costs at my school in the U.S.A. ranged somewhere between $20-$30 USD. In Japan, however, it's upwards of 5000円 or $50. The most I've paid for an enkai thus far has been 8000円 or $80, and the food was disappointing or simply not good. I have noticed that the pricier places disappoint me because they try to make their food unique or fancy, but end up experimenting with or screwing up something that was already perfect. I'm not a picky eater at all, so when I'm disappointed, that means they're no good.
Below are pictures from all the food provided at a recent enkai I attended. It was a departmental enkai for language/social science teachers. This was the second time I've been to this particular restaurant, and I really like it!
Cost: 5000円 or $50. Rating: Excellent.