Senbetsu

Sen-betsu .....is the goodbye gift in Japan.

Many of the times, it is money. And also, it could be anything.


Few days ago, I had my last day of  work.

A gentleman looked at me and pointed the white plastic bag on his desk.

He said, "Senbetsu".

I knew that, inside is the Japanese sweets.

I said, "That's all?"

Of course, I was kidding.

 but he said, "Then , have this one also"

...it was  a pack of coffee. This is the same one which he is drinking everyday.

I said "Thank you....always....." in my mind.

After I reached my place, I opened the "Real Senbetsu".....the white plastic bag.

Jepanese sweets....but it was the quite different one from that he gave me before.

Each one was wrapped to avoid mixture. It was a real gift.






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Otoshi dama

In Japan, there is an old custom. During the New Year's week, adults give money to children.

It is called Otoshi-dama. The money is enclosed in small pochi bukuro.

How much is inside? It depends on the guest.

So, if there are lots of visitors coming to the house, children get big amount of money.

In many cases, kids use some amount to buy their favorite stuff, then save rest of them in Bank.




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Pachinco

In Japan, usually gambles are prohibited except some horse races, by cycle races, motor boat races...etc. One of the closest gambles to the people is Pachinco (pachinko?)

Because I have never done that, I can not tell you the details.

Usually, they have some kinds of the slot machines. You have to buy the basket of silver balls,
then turn the dial.If the silver ball got into some special gate, you will get more silver balls.
You will exchange silver balls to snacks, and sometimes golds. Bring the gold to the special window which belongs to the pachinco store, you will get some money.
You must be 18years old or older.


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