Machi-con: Local Events Bringing Singles Together

Conpa (konpa in romaji but I'm typing it with a "c"since it makes a bit better sense in English) is an abbreviation of "company" which means relaxed informal drinking parties (Japanese love formal drinking parties as well but that's another story). The term is actually decades old. It means basically gathering for an informal get together. It's pretty close to the American term "having company over" except that the guests meet at a restaurant or bar instead of coming over to someone's home.

As time passed, the shorter abbreviation of "-con" came to mean the "conpa" as a suffix. There used to be other -con words but presently "Gou-con 合コン" (Gou is from "合同 goudou = consolidated, together, implying co-ed" and "conpa") is the most commonly used word; it translates as young singles' co-ed drinking parties.

It's arranged this way. Party organizers call up a number of males and females and invite them to meet for the drinking party. In Japan, these parties take place in Izakayas or restaurants, not in someone's house or apartment since most Japanese rooms are way too small for hosting parties.

These invited guests are usually 20-something and college kids, but Gou-con co-ed drinking parties are arranged for other age groups, too. Another word for informal drinking parties would be "nomikai 飲み会" ; this word is usually used when the party is formed for people who already know each other.

Like parties everywhere, both Gou-con and Nomikai offer opportunities to find a date. Gou-con parties are oriented more to find a date than Nomikai get togethers. In the latter, relationships among the participants are likely to have already been settled.

In Japan traditionally, arranged marriages used to be common and private meeting setups were called "Omiai お見合い". But EEOC dictates and a somewhat questioning attitude from the West about this tradition eventually changed such a practice. Now Omiai arranged by the family or personal acquaintances of the parents are no longer popular. But in fact, studies show that a high percentage of Japanese people in their 20's~30's are single; poor luck or lack of opportunity to meet the opposite gender are often blamed. People having available sources could participate the Gou-con through their friends but many people don't have such connections.

So now enter Public Omiai parties, renamed with the -con suffix to represent the idea being updated, and coupled with a promotion of the local businesses, called "Machi-con (Machi means town)". This translates as town-size company-finding parties.

In these Machi-cons, the local government or community or the government can be the promoter but often they all are tied up and sell the tickets to the general public or a limited public. Event promoters team up with the local restaurants and other businesses. The style varies but commonly the participants buy a ticket and visit freely a number of participating restaurants in the area for a limited time. Other businesses get involved by issuing coupons for special services offered during the event. Participants have opportunities to meet people while visiting those participants restaurants here and there, and enjoying their food and drinks. Japanese love festivals involving food; this is another kind of food festival with local business promotions targeting the dating community. Each event often has a name with the whole or part of the city's name for the prefix and the -con for the suffix, such as Hama-con (Yoko"hama") and Shibu-con ("Shibu"ya).

An example of a popular Machi-con event is Chiba-con, held in Chiba City, of Chiba Prefecture. The number of tickets sold total 300, 150 of each gender. The ticket cost is 5,900 yen for male guests and 3.900 yen for female guests. The registration is somewhere around the Chiba station. Guests wear a wrist band to enter the participating restaurants/izakayas which are open to participants only during the event hours (15:00~18:00 on a Sunday). Food served is buffet style, drinks are either free for fixed choices or available for a discounted price. I guess the free drinks may be soft drinks since it's a day time event but I'm not sure. This event says it is not only for singles looking for a date.

These events seem popular because participants don't have to appear too eager for finding a date. They easily can leave any situation and just say "well, I wanna try another restaurant". Everyone is made to feel more safe and relaxed, no pressure. Local businesses benefit too; they get a good opportunity of promote what they sell. Some areas involve local tourism as well; other attractions and events besides restaurants can be tied into the main event.

Such events may not be perfect but overall the idea works well. Some events have attracted thousands of participants. People can get together for food, drinks, fun, and good company, plus the local economy gets a boost. Not a bad idea, is it?!

Ordering up Culture, Izakaya Style

An uniquely Japanese tradition, the izakaya is is a favorite evening meeting place and hangout for salary men and women, working girls, locals and school buddies.

An izakaya (居酒屋) is a Japanese drinking establishment or pub that also serves food to accompany the drinks. They are popular places for after-work drinks and casual dinner parties in a lively atmosphere.

Most izakayas have a red lantern hanging near their doorway, making them easily identifiable. Izakayas are often called akachōchin ("red lantern") after the red paper lanterns that are traditionally displayed outside. This usually refers to smaller places not affiliated with a chain.

Depending on the izakaya, customers sit on tatami mats and dine from low tables in the traditional Japanese style, or sit on chairs and drink/dine from tables. Many izakaya offer a choice of both, as well as seating by the bar.

Once you are seated you will be be given an oshibori (wet towel) for cleaning your hands. Then your server will bring an otōshi or tsukidashi (a small appetizer) for each person. This is local custom and usually charged onto the bill instead of an entry fee. Japanese people in Kantō region (Tokyo vicinity) call it otōshi and people in Kansai (Osaka vicinity) call it tsukidashi.

The menu may be on the table, or displayed on walls. Picture menus are great! They are common in larger izakaya. Food and drink can be ordered as often as you like. They are brought to the table, and the bill is added up at the end of your meal. Unlike other Japanese styles of eating, food items are usually shared by everyone at the table.

Izakaya were traditionally down-to-earth places where men drank sake and beer after work. You can still find them, but the now they are complemented by a growing population of groups of women and students. Izakaya today cater to a quite a range of clientele – including hungry and thirsty foreigners. So ask for an English menu if you don’t see one. More places have them now.

Izakaya come in all varieties. Chain izakaya became popular in the ’80s, and continue to draw patrons today. Tengu is an example of a chain. It is large, noisy and crowded, with lots of eating and drinking choices. Places like this start at a medium hum and get progressively louder and more rowdy as the night goes on. Chain izakaya often offer some dining options known as nomihodai ("all you can drink") and tabehodai ("all you can eat"). For a set price per person, customers can continue ordering as much food and / or drink as they wish, with a usual time limit of two or three hours.

Some izakaya are known for a certain food. Yakitori-ya specialize in yakitori (grilled meat on a stick). The skewers are often grilled in front of customers. Others are known for their intimate ambiance and tight space. Those humble pubs may have a seating capacity of ten!

Izakaya food is usually served in appetizer-sized portions. Many items are designed to be shared. What might be on the menu?

• Yakitori - grilled chicken on a skewer
• Kushiyaki - grilled meat or vegetable skewers
• Sashimi - slices of raw fish
• Karaage - bite-sized fried chicken
• Croquette – medallion of creamy mashed potato inside, crunchy fried coating outside
• Bacon Aspara – Asparagus spears wrapped in bacon
• Edamame - boiled and salted soybean pods
• Tofu
• Hiyayakko - chilled silken tofu with toppings
• Agedashi tofu - deep fried tofu in broth
• Tsukemono - pickles

Izakaya drink choices depend on the establishment, but the usual selections include draft beer, sake, shochu. Drinks are reasonably priced, and remember, no tipping.

The izakaya is uniquely Japanese tradition, and one of the best ways to become submerged in the culture and even meet a few locals. Going to an izakaya can be the best experience ever. Let the warm and friendly folks there be your welcoming committee!