Japanese high schoolers free time spending

[maushan3]

Hey, I will be doing a one-year high school exchange in Japan next school year. I turned 17 two months ago. I just wanted to know what do most high school seniors do on their free time? Do they go to Karaoke, dine out, just hang out in the mall, go to clubs, movies, what?
I've heard drinking in Japan is rampant, but does this include underage (-20) people. I would like to party, not necessarily with alcohol. So, do guards check people's I.D.'s or what? I look like I am 18 or 19 now.

Would I be getting in a lot of trouble with the law, I just want to know whether it is worth the risk.

Mauricio

 

[Ewok85]

Haha, free time?

Third-years get little free time, they have to study to get into the university they want to enter. Even those who have failed and are not students but just preparing for entrance exams have little free time.

Second-years are not quite as busy with study, but more than likely have a part-time job to get them pocket money. They might get together and go to karaoke or something like that every once in a while.

First years are similar to first years, just with more time. Bowling, shopping, etc are usual.

Drinking isn't "rampant", it happens. High school students don't drink themselves into stupors or anything, but might get tipsy. Clubs and bars have been getting strict very recently, Japanese people without ID are being denied entry and sales of alcohol - foreigners generally aren't asked still.

All of the above are my own personal experiences over several years living in Japan, having studied in a Japanese high school, and still keeping tight ties to Japanese students both in high school and University, older and younger than 20 years old. Exceptions exist

Edit: Join a school club - my recommendations is something like tennis, basketball, soccer or a martial art. Avoid baseball or track and field as they are too serious and you will not benefit from it as well as you would doing other things.
Joining a club is the single best way socialise, make friends, practice Japanese, experience some culture and get better at something in Japan.

 

[maushan3]

Haha, free time?

True, lol.

Yeah, thanks. Your help is most appreciated. I play soccer and like it a lot, so yeah, I should join soccer club.

Thanks for the advice on the no-need-for-I.D.-because-I'm foreigner thing. I was wondering cause Ghettocities once posted even a 12-year-old could go to a club in Japan and get all the girls. So that got me thinking that drinking age might not be enforced at all.
I just have to make sure I never go to Gaspanic at Roppongi from all the things I've read!

Mauricio

 

[Ewok85]

True, lol.
Yeah, thanks. Your help is most appreciated. I play soccer and like it a lot, so yeah, I should join soccer club.

Go for it, you'll make friends and do something you already like

Thanks for the advice on the no-need-for-I.D.-because-I'm foreigner thing. I was wondering cause Ghettocities once posted even a 12-year-old could go to a club in Japan and get all the girls. So that got me thinking that drinking age might not be enforced at all.
I just have to make sure I never go to Gaspanic at Roppongi from all the things I've read!

Gross exaggeration from one of the posters on the board whose been to Japan a few times and has one of the more warped perceptions of Japan I have seen for a while.
Many clubs are using bouncers, and in my experience foreigners (think well built black-american gentlemen who speak English and do their job well) aren't getting the wave through they used to. Some places are no-ID, no entry, some will just let you in - Japanese need to show entry (not fun trying to get your will-be-20-next-month friends into clubs).

Saying that I haven't been out clubbing for a few months, I'm more of a film and restaurant buff lately. Plus I can have more than enough fun at home