Rising prices in Japan and the impact on people getting together

One thing I've noticed about living in Japan is how important socializing can be, especially as a foreigner who has had to develop brand new networks here. However, with prices continuing to rise in so many areas of life, is that mindset changing?

A new survey of 834 Instabase users found that 71% feel rising prices are affecting the cost of getting together. Of those people, 61% said they are spending more per gathering. Also, around 30% of those affected by rising prices said they now find it harder to invite people out. Food and drinks were the biggest expense, with 84% saying they were a burden, followed by venue costs at 46%.

For expats, I think that's particularly relevant. When you're trying to build a social life in Japan, the cost of going out can make organizing dinner or drinks feel like more of a decision than it used to. 

The survey suggests rental spaces could be one way people are trying to manage those costs. Instabase, which operates a platform for booking rental spaces around Japan, says bookings for spaces used by groups of 10 or more have more than doubled from the same period last year.

There is a caveat here, though. Instabase conducted the survey and also makes money from rental-space bookings, so it obviously has a vested interest in promoting this option. I'd therefore take the rental-space findings with a grain of salt. Still, for expats looking for cheaper ways to socialize, splitting the cost of a rental space and bringing your own food and drinks could be worth considering.