Clare Thomas on Nightlife

Welcome to Sendai, the city where it’s cheaper to drink ten buckets of beer in ninety minutes than it is to have a few cokes, and cigarettes cost less than vegetables. I’ve been asked to write about ‘Sendai Nightlife’, so I’ll try and highlight the main points for you.

Drinkers – you’re in for a good time; please learn the word ‘nomihodai’. This is some kind of crazy deal which allows you to pay a certain amount of Yen (usually between Y1500 and Y4000) and drink as much as you can in the allotted time. Usually included in this deal will be a selection of strange food and karaoke than you can bear.

Singers – never let on that you can sing. You will be made to perform the Titanic theme song so many times, you will feel as though you have some entitlement for the royalties. Everyone else, don’t bother to try and escape. Karaoke is everywhere.

Possibly the most (in)famous watering hole is a place called ‘Neverland’ - the whole food, drink, karaoke thing for Y3000. During your time in Sendai, you will frequently find yourself wondering how to get back to bars you have visited previously. However, when it comes to ‘Neverland’, most ALTs quickly develop a homing device that will operate during the most drunken of stupors.

For people not into steeping themselves in alcohol and warbling tunelessly into a microphone, there are plenty of good places to eat – some of the Italian restaurants are great – and it needn’t cost too much. The cinemas run films in English with Japanese subtitles. Tickets are between Y1500 and Y1800, except on the first of every month when they are Y1000. There are also a few bowling places around and several gyms (don’t know much about them – ask someone healthy). Or you could turn your hand to something ‘cultural’ - there’s plenty of information available. Failing all that, you can get videos out of ‘Tsutaya’, the video-rental place that has a really good range, and slob out in front of the TV.

I don’t have room enough to go into too many details, but I will say that there is no need for any Sendai ALT to ever feel lonely; the social scene is great. If you have any questions at all, about nightlife or anything, feel free to email me on clare_thomas@hotmail.com and I’ll do my best to help. As the Japanese say – Let’s enjoy!

Clare