2016 New Year Welcoming Party / ２０１６年 新年会

Japan has a tradition of having an end of the year party in December called the bonenkai and then a welcoming the new year party called the shinnenkai. My friends and I usually celebrate both the bonenkai and shinnenkai at our friend's restaurant [Kitamachi Utou] in Ushigome Kagurazaka. This year would be no different.

日本で年末に忘年会があって、新年には新年会があり。僕の回りの友達は毎年牛込神楽坂にある「北町 善知鳥」という店で忘年会と新年会を開催する。今年の新年会も友達とその店に集まってワイワイしました。

Cheers to the New Year / ２０１６年に乾杯

The informally set menu is always delicious!

毎年提供する料理は素晴らしい！

Always a good time when celebrating with friends.

友達と飲むと一番幸せですね。

Someone brought a snack from Aomori Prefecture called Imo ate.

誰か青森県のお菓子イモ当てを持ってきた。

Owner and chef of Kitamachi Utou, Ken-chan / 北町善知鳥のオーナーチェフの健ちゃん

Yukio most likely doing his Eikichi Yazawa impression.

幸男は絶対矢沢の真似してる。

Yukio and 21 (that is his nickname) / 幸男と２１番

Group photo / グループフォト

Continuing the celebration of the New Year at another establishment.

二次会の店。

Me and my friend Ai / 僕と友達の愛ちゃん

Wandering the street of Kagurazaka at night.

夜の神楽坂でウロチョロ。

Someone having too much fun.

誰かさんが大げさに楽しめた。

But before going home, some of us had a bowl of ramen at Kagetsu Arashi.

何人で〆は花月嵐のラーメン。

And that was the end of the evening.

ここで新年会の巻くが閉じた。