2. CONTENTS*
＊About us
＊If you join us
＊Main events
＊Other stuff
＊JS &ES &WS
＊Voices
＊The great nine of Niji
＊Contact info
＊The editors

3. What is Niji no Kai ??
Niji no Kai
国際交流虹の会 since 1965
Welcome to our home!!
“Niji no kai” is a club that does all kinds of
different activities throughout the year. Most of
the time, many international students from all
over the world are involved in our activities. The
events include discussing Japanese culture,
playing many sports, going on trips, and
drinking, etc. We look forward to seeing you
guys!
The “Lounge” is where Niji no Kai hangs out and lots of international exchange
students
come too. Especially at lunch time, there are lots of people here. Everyone spends their
time doing whatever they want; chatting, eating, doing homework, naps etc. You should
try coming here! It’s on the first floor of Building No1.

4. If you join us
You Are Guaranteed To…
1. Enjoy life at school as a REAL
Waseda Student!
By spending lots of time with our members, you
can see for yourself how students at Waseda hang
out in and out of school. We also participate in
school events such as Waseda’s festival and
Waseda baseball games where you’re sure to feel
like a real student at our school.
2. Make Lots of
Japanese Friends
There are more than 100 members
in our club. Everyone has different
hobbies and interests so you will
definitely find someone you can get
along with.

5. 3. Get the Chance to
Initiate Events of
NIJI no Kai
Every event of our club is initiated by several
members of organizers called Kanji. You can be
one of these organizers to take part in planning
and producing these events.
4. Drink and Do
“CALLS”
We have at least one big Nomikai per
month. This is a drinking Party where
we all sit in a big room at an Izakaya
(Japanese style restaurant-type place
where you drink) and enjoy drinking
and eating.
Of course many of us regularly go to
pubs or clubs, or just hang around
at home and you can join us.
“Calls” are what we do at
Nomikais. It’s a kind of chant and
the person doing the call has to
keep drinking when he/ she is
being shouted at.
Drinking alcohol is not mandatory
at Niji no Kai and you can enjoy
Nomikais without getting drunk.

6. VOICES
If I was to tell the truth I don't even
remember the first time I went to Niji no Kai
lounge, which is kind of incredibile
considering the amout of time I'm spending
there and with Niji's people during my
everyday Waseda foreigner student life.
Fact is that I grew so comfortable of that
place that it seems to me that I've always
been popping up there, having some random
chats and then leaving hurrying for next lesson or part time job. I would say
it has grown to be routine but an incredibly not-boring one: you will never
really know if and who will be in the lounge and what's going on.
But let's take a step further back and explain from the beginning. More
generally: about the club as itself.
Niji no kai is (and it is in constant expansion) a huge and -let me say it once
again- incredibly huge International club of Waseda University. But Niji no
Kai is somewhat different from other clubs in various nice ways.
-First: partecipation and presence are not really required. You can join and
leave whenever you want, according to your feelings.
-Second: so many people, so many interests = you'll never get bored.
-Third: it is not focused on one single aspect so activities cover every possible
interest ( = you'll never get bored - part II)

7. -Fourth: Is a great way to learn and practise Japanese and probably the most
direct and amusing way to do it.
-Fifth: Niji is always better (and that is it XD).
And this was just a taste of the club you are -hopingly- about to join.
I came in September last year and I felt -totally- alone. Even if I was
surrounded by foreigner people which were to be having more or less the
same experience I was feeling exceedengly stupid and useless. More of it, I
could barely speak a single word of Japanese and consequently my
selfesteem was lowering everyday.
And then I somehow decided to approach to Niji starting from the Welcome
Meeting Event and joining all the following events whenever was possible.
And slowly, something changed. Not only I become aware of many linguistic
and cultural interesting aspects but I started feeling as part of a whole. The
calls at nomikai, the club members' kind of coded way of speaking, the usual
meeting spots make me feel already nostalgic of that unity even though I still
have half of the path ahead of me.
Being hitting the lounge quite often I already felt "in" the club but only after
being actively partecipating in some activities I felt a member as real as the
Japanese members. So there goes first time I was asked to write in Prism
(Niji's magazine), first time I was called out at a nomikai (which was a total
fail), first time I helped out in an event, all precious experiences that made
me feel even more connected to these people. And I would like to remark that
even if it is a club, with its way of being united, it is to a vast amount of
people, one by one, which you're approaching to. Even if four months of
Waseda's life has already went past me I still meet quite often Niji's member
I never happen to meet before. Even if you can call them Niji as a whole it's
always hundreds of different stories which are tied togheter and which make
it so unique.
Because that's what Niji is, in the end. A bunch of improbable random
collisions with an hundred and more human beings which happen to be there
at the same time as you. Chance and probability combined weaving the
neverending spider's web of connections thoughout the span of your Waseda'
life experience.

8. （He is left side!→）
Many former exchange students recommended
me to join a club at Waseda to have a good
time while getting in touch with Japanese
students. Even before leaving France, I
already knew what I was looking for: an
open-minded circle with people from all
around the world cheerfully sharing their
experiences and languages. Then, freshly arrived at Narita, I met Niji no Kai.
Warmly welcomed by the pick-up service team, I was invited to countless
nomikai where I was taught about Waseda’s everyday life and Japanese
drinking manners. I soon started to have lunch at Niji’s lounge as I began to
hang out with its members. Don’t be fooled by their shyness when you first
meet them: they like drinking and having fun a lot. Even if Daruma is Niji’s
informal headquarter, this circle isn’t only about booze. Ski trips, cultural
events, camps, language exchange and, of course, long-lasting friendships
are to be found there! So next time you have a gap hour, come to the lounge
and make yourself home, chat with the people, doodle on Niji’s notebook,
have a coffee, chill out and improve your Japanese! Whether you are looking
for drinking mates, help with your homework or tips about rice-cooking, Niji
is the place to go.

9. Moving to a new country where most people
speak a different language than you, attending a
new school where all the faces are unfamiliar, and
trying to understand a whole new culture can be
very hard and sometimes lonely experience.
This is where Niji-no-Kai came in and made
studying abroad much easier, more fulfilling, and
a lot more fun. When we first got off the plane,
the Niji club members were there to help us with
our bags and even to show us around Tokyo. In
addition to those “Tokyo Tours”, together with the
Niji-no-Kai, we climbed to the top of Takaosan(a
small mountain), enjoyed the “Niji Photo Club” where we went to some scenic places
and took pictures together, and, of course, were introduced to the Japanese style
drinking party. Even though most of the people at the parties were drinking, they
never put any pressure on you to make you drink. Everyone just wants to enjoy this
time we have together as study abroad students, and the Niji helps people do just that.
Not only do we get to meet Japanese students and learn Japanese, we also get to meet
people from all over the world and learn about their countries through the World Study
events. My favorite Niji event, the Ski and Snowboard camp, was an amazing
experience, even though it was my first time snowboarding, there were people helping
me along the whole way. In the end, I just want to say this: “We all are looking for a
place to feel at home, and when I’m with the Niji-no-Kai, even though I’m so far from
my country, I feel welcome. Whether it’s at the Niji Lounge or at Daruma while
they’re yelling calls, this club makes me feel at home.”

10. MAIN EVENTS
Niji no kai holds a lot of events throughout the year!
OHANAMI (sakura viewing party)
Ohanami is one of the events that Japanese love! We
go on a picnic to view Sakura (cherry blossoms). In
April, we also hold lots of welcome parties for
freshman.
100KM HIKE
This is the most unique event of Waseda! We take
a 100km walk for 2 days wearing funny costumes.
If you want to challenge your physical and mental
strength, come and join this event with your
funniest costumes! Those who completed walking
100km will gain “Waseda Spirit”!!
WORLD COOKING COMPETITION
Niji’s cooking competition! Let’s make
and have some delicious traditional meals
from different countries! We separate into
some groups where we learn how to cook
them. It’s a good chance to learn new
dishes and how to make them. Those who are
good at cooking can become a hero!

11. SUMMER CAMP!!
This camp is one of the biggest events of
Niji no kai! We go to the campsite
surrounded by nature. And we play in the
near river, have a BBQ, have a test of
your courage, and so on. In the last night
of this camp, we have entertainment
performance times and hold a drinking
party outside!!
HALLOWEEN PARTY
Everybody who takes part in this party has
to dress up in Halloween costume, and we
will decide the NO.1 costume! If you are
chosen to be the best costume, you may get
a wonderful prize!
SOUKEISEN
This is a baseball rivalry game between
Waseda and Keio University. We go to
the ballpark to cheer the Waseda
baseball team. The performance of the
cheer leading girls and the brass bands
will make the atmosphere even more
incredible! Show our love for Waseda!

12. X’MAS PARTY★
This party is one of our biggest parties of
the year! No matter what religion you
believe, whether you are single or not, you
enjoy your night having drinks and
chatting with other mates with your
coolest or sexiest dresses!
COUNTDOWN PARTY
Say goodbye to the old year, and greet the
New Year with Niji’s people! We go to the
shrine and take part in the countdown
event. After that we drink all night long to
celebrate the new year, and then early in
the morning we go to do HATSUMOUDE
(first shrine visit of the new year)!
SKIING&SNOWBOARDING
We go to the mountains covered with
nice lovely white snow and go skiing
and snowboarding for about 3 days! For
some of you it might be the first time in
your life to see the snow, and it is a
fantastic view! Romance on a beautiful
winter day wouldn’t be a bad idea!

13. Baseball, soccer, basketball, dancing,
cooking, watching movies, birthday
parties, drinking outside and so much
more…We have lots of events and you
can host any event that you want!!! All
of the events are good chance to make
a lot of friends, improve your Japanese
skills and enjoy life as a REAL Waseda
Student. Join us and see what it’s like,
we hope to see you soon!!!
There are events where you can learn about culture while surrounding yourself
with the Japanese students of Niji no kai.
JAPAN STUDY
In Japan Study, we talk about all sorts of
different things about Japanese culture and
you can communicate with many Japanese
students. It’s a good chance for you to
improve your Japanese skills!
ENGLISH STUDY
English Study is held by students from the
countries where English is spoken. We learn
their culture, music, slang and so on with
Japanese students and international students.
If you want, you can present your favorite
things to us!

14. WORLD STUDY
World Study is held by international
students and focuses on learning about
different cultures from all over the world.
At World Study, you can introduce your
own country, culture and so on. These are
great opportunities for you to learn about
not only the culture of Japan but the
cultures of the world.

15. He’s the good looking, charismatic ‘big
brother’ that you can always count on; the
kind of person everyone becomes good
friends with immediately.
He can handle English and Kansai ben,
and although his looks may be a little bit
frightening to some (because he looks like a
Yankee), he has a warm heart and when it
comes to Niji no Kai, he is the leader that is
always there for his friends.
For many, he is the definition of kakkoii in
Niji no Kai, and you can always recognize
him by his unique, ever changing hair style.

16. When you first meet him, he is a
quiet, shy looking guy – and he is
so kawaii when he has to talk in
front of a lot of people (and also
when he drinks!) because his face
gets red instantly.
Even though he sometimes gets
shy and blushes, he’s always doing
all kinds of interesting things to
counter everyone’s expectations.
But, at heart, he is always kind and
concerned about each one of the
members more then anyone else -
he is always happy to help!
Everyone agrees that she is a
natural airhead! She always speaks
her mind, so when you ask her
something, she gives you answers
that you would ever expect!
Perhaps she’s living in a little
world of her own, but she is an
extremely kind person and she will
give you really serious advice if
you ask her for it.
She is an amazing artist! Her
drawings are wonderful, and we
hear her portraits are really good
too!

17. Kei is the girl with the camera!
She will always be there to take
photos of you at every event, so
watch out (especially at a
nomikai)!
She is a really kind person, with
a lovely smile, and everybody
loves her! She is also outgoing,
sociable, and a really good friend.
At all of Niji’s events you will
also notice that she’s a really good
speaker, a hard worker and a very
competent person.
The definition of tsundere (ツン
デレ) in Niji - he may look cool and
perhaps a little bit cold, but he
actually takes care of his friends
more than anyone!
He is always trying to make
people feel comfortable and
enliven the atmosphere, making
him indispensable to Niji no Kai!
He is always there for any event,
so he knows practically everything
there is to know about Niji. In fact,
for some reason, he knows a lot
about a lot of things - he is the
person to ask if there is anything
you don’t know!

18. Mokkun is a very serious and
hardworking person, but at the
same time he’s very unique; He is
always trying to entertain Niji, and
make people feel better with his
jokes, but you may not always get
them! That said, he still seems to
always be in a good mood, and
he’s always at the lounge, so you
will be able to become really good
friends with him if you hang out
around there at lunch (or any
other time!)
He lived in Thailand for a long
period of time, so his Japanese
may get awkward sometimes - but
he’s always joking around and is
actually very hardworking! He
always thinks about what’s best for
for Niji and the members, and
always takes good care of
everyone. If you ever ask him for
advice, he will always get
passionately involved - especially if
it has anything to do with love!

19. In Niji, everyone calls him
oniisan (big brother).
He may look cool, but that’s
only on the outside. He is actually
really mild mannered, and some
people say he is like a spoiled
baby!
Because he is from Kansai, he
can talk in dialect and can become
pretty fired up when it comes to
jokes and laughter – but he gets
upset when people tell a boring
story that makes no one laugh!
He also plays drums in a band
from a different club, so you
should really go see one of his live
performances if you have the
chance!
Although sometimes a little
clumsy, she is a really, really hard
working girl, who never gives up -
not matter how hard things get –
which is why she is seen as a really
reliable person by everyone in Niji.
No matter what, you can always
ask her for help!
She is the most sociable person
out there - always talking to
everyone - especially new people,
so you can become friends with
her in an instant!

20. CONTACT INFO.
If you e-mail us here:
nijinokai.s7@gmail.com
We’ll send you information on our events throughout the year.
And this is our club’s homepage:
http://www.niji-waseda.com
Take a look at our pictures and blog to see what our activities are like.
THE EDITORS!
Seiya Fukuoka Andreea Nicolescu Jack Porter Momoko Takaki
Thank you for reading this pamphlet about Niji no kai.
We are looking forward to seeing you in our events!!!