2025/02/16 [Sun]
Hey Y’all I’m back to share a super fun event we had recently—a Casino night! Have you ever been to a Casino before? There are plenty of Casinos back home in the US. I’ve only been once with friends, and it was a blast. Drinks were flowing, and we essentially lost all the money we had set aside for the experience. I’ve also dabbled in pachinko and boat racing, but those were one-time ventures purely for the atmosphere.
Pachinko and Boating
Pachinko was an intense experience—sensory overload with the sounds and the pervasive smell of tobacco. I’m generally tolerant of tobacco smoke, but this was overwhelming. Thirty minutes in the parlor felt like smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. Even after showering and washing my clothes, I could still faintly smell the smoke.
Boat racing was much more enjoyable since it was outdoors. It felt almost like a baseball game, where you could grab some snacks and drinks and cheer for your team. However, after a round or two, the novelty wore off.
The Casino Experience
But a Casino is a whole different ball game. There are so many types of games to attract you. Slots with their flashy colors, the allure drawing you to play. Card games are abundant, with various rules and costs. Some are more expensive to play than others. The drinks? Often all-you-can-drink, depending on the place. That’s part of their strategy—they want you to get drunk and keep betting money. It’s quite a fun atmosphere. Casinos are designed to make you feel like you never want to leave. The maze-like layout, the patterns on the carpet, the ceiling designs, and even the lighting—all carefully crafted to trap you in the fun. And, honestly, it works well.
I’ve only been once, but it was lots of fun. I’d totally go again, of course, on a reasonable budget and with money I’m willing to lose. Probably wouldn’t go alone but with a good group of friends who enjoy gambling and drinking.
Casino Night at Matoi
You can also join us at Matoi for game nights! Recently, we had a big Casino event—no money was bet, but it was for fun and food discounts. It was an awesome night. We had Poker, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette. I was in charge of the Poker table, which was fun, but I wish I could have played Blackjack. The house has an edge in that game, and it would have been a blast to play.
Mahjong and Long-Stay Guests
Outside of Casino night, we’ve had some guests who love playing Mahjong. I do too! Whenever I get the chance, I jump in and play with them after my shift. It’s been a fun time with the recent guests. Working at this hostel is great—the events are a blast, but the best part is the long-stay guests who bring up the atmosphere.
Memorable Guest Experience
We had a very friendly Australian guest who was lots of fun to talk to. He might study in Portugal in the future, which got our Portuguese staff member excited to talk about his home country. He also showed interest in traveling off the beaten path during his Japan trip, so I shared some hidden gems in the countryside. He joined us for Mahjong for the first time and won a round right before I had to close the shop. It was a fantastic way to end the night and his stay with us. He took a picture with all of us at the end. I hope his time at the hostel is something he looks back on fondly, remembering the good conversations and fun times with other members staying with us.
So, have you ever been to a Casino? If not, you can still enjoy similar games with friends at home or a local bar with house rules for fun. Or come to Matoi and join our game nights!
