What You Need to Know About Japan’s Legal Drinking Age

During my three months based in Osaka, Japan, I drank a lot of alcohol. No, really. I drank a lot. And that is coming from an existence that already sees a non-zero sum of alcohol consumed somewhat regularly. I attribute this increased consumption to the fact that Japanese dining is complemented perfectly with an ice-cold draft beer (nama beeru) or Chuhai (shochu highball), warm or cold sake, or even a dry red or slightly sweet white wine (the ultimate pairing with sushi). 

Japan’s drinking culture is unlike anywhere else in the world – for better or worse. It’s not just the varieties of quality alcohol that you can find in Japan, it’s the vibrancy and depth of the venues to drink it at. 

From drinking casual beers and Chuhais while sitting under a bridge along the Yodogawa River (one of my personal favorite memories) to raucous, brash, crowded nightclubs in Osaka and Tokyo, all the way to back alley izakayas and yakitori joints, high-end Japanese whiskey bars, and assorted “nomihoudai” (all you can drink) bars scattered across the country (and everything in between), Japan has it all when it comes to drinking culture, nightlife, and alcohol. If you want a draft beer at Yoshinoya, one of Japan’s most popular gyudon fast food restaurants, you can imbibe as well. 

To ensure that you don’t miss out on one of the most robust and unique drinking (and dining) cultures in the world, you might be asking yourself, “What is the legal drinking age in Japan?” 

Read on to find out how old you need to be to legally drink alcohol in Japan along with other important Japanese alcohol laws to know. 

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Japan?

In Japan, the legal drinking age is 20 years old. This applies to both the consumption and sale of alcohol and tobacco. While Japanese teenagers can get their license to drive a motorcycle or moped at 16 years old, and a standard driver’s license at 18, they must wait until 20 years old to be able to legally drink or purchase alcohol. 

What’s interesting about the drinking age being 20 in Japan is that in 2022, the government revised its Civil Code to lower the age of adulthood from 20 to 18, redefining what it means to be an “adult.” However, this lower threshold for adulthood was not reflected in any changes to the minimum drinking age, which is still 20 years old. 

I suspect that over the next several years, we may see Japan’s legal drinking age lowered to 18 in order to match the legal age of adulthood (as prescribed by the Civil Code), however, this is pure conjecture on my part. 

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Japan For Foreigners?

The minimum drinking age in Japan for foreigners is the same as local Japanese and is 20 years old. 

When traveling to a different country, some may think that the local laws or rules don’t apply to them (or that there is leeway) but it’s important to remember that if you are a guest in another country. It is generally best practice to follow the laws of the respective country that you are traveling to or otherwise face the consequences of breaking them.

What Forms of Identification Are Accepted in Japan?

A brilliant Japanese whiskey bar in Osaka where the owner and I used his voice translator to “talk shop.”

When purchasing alcohol or entering a bar or club, a passport or residence card are the two major accepted forms of identification. Japanese law dictates that tourists and travelers should (legally) have their passports on them at all times. 

This may be tricky if you are planning a big night out. In this case, I recommend wearing clothing with a designated compartment to safely store your passport or making several photocopies of your passport and bringing it with you. Just understand that if you do not have your physical passport on you, there is always a small chance that you will be made an example of for ‘breaking the law’.

Take it for what it’s worth but I rarely carried my passport with me in Japan, due to knowing deep down there was a high probability I would lose it, and I didn’t run into any issues. This may not apply across the board but the several times that I was asked for ID to enter a bar or club, I presented my Hong Kong ID and U.S. license and this was sufficient to gain entry.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: You know how I mentioned that you can even drink a beer at the beloved gyudon fast food chain ‘Yoshinoya’? I even wrote about it in my post ‘Gyudon Life: Why I’m a Yoshinoya Ride or Die For Life’.

What is the Penalty For Underage Drinking in Japan?

Individuals under 20 years old who are caught drinking underage may be subject to certain penalties. However, these are not explicitly prescribed by Japanese law. 

The common “penalty” or “punishment” for underage drinking in Japan is having the police take down your personal information and enter it into their system. They may then communicate to your parents, school, or job that you engaged in unlawful behavior and may result in disciplinary or administrative action by them. 

Further, should you engage in future unlawful behavior, this “mark on your record” may be taken into account when it comes to determining the punishment or penalty. 

Other Alcohol Laws in Japan to Know

• Parents who purchase or provide alcohol to their children under 20 years old, may face fines starting at ¥10,000 (USD 70). Vendors or other alcohol sellers may face fines totaling up to ¥500,000 (just under USD 3,500).
• Drunk driving (including bicycles) is severely punished in Japan and may result in a fine of up to ¥1,000,000 or a maximum of 5 years imprisonment. Fines and other legal consequences also extend to passengers who are aware that the driver is under the influence of alcohol. 
• Disorderly and disruptive conduct is illegal in Japan and may result in a small fine or arrest. This offense may result in imprisonment of one day (at minimum) and up to thirty days (maximum). But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be intoxicated in public. You can. You just can’t make a scene or disrupt social order.
• Alcohol in Japan can be purchased 24/7 as there is no mandated closing time.

Safety & Practical Tips For Drinking in Japan

Here are just a few tips that I live(d) by when drinking in Japan – especially as someone who would frequently venture out solo. 

• Be polite when ordering – to get a nearby waiter, waitress, or bartender’s attention, politeness goes a long way – you can do that by saying ‘Sumimasen’ (excuse me). 
• Don’t follow the touts – If you’re in a major bar or club district, avoid entering any clubs that the outside “touts” try to lure you into. For example, there are countless club and bar touts in Shibuya and Roppongi whose primary goal is to lure unsuspecting foreigners into their bar where an exorbitantly high bar tab is run up (or some other variation of this scam). 
• Be mindful of your drink – while Japan is an extremely safe country, it’s still important to exercise standard precautions when drinking at a bar or club and ensure that you don’t leave your drink unattended or accept unopened drinks from strangers. 
• Strong Zero will knock you on your butt – I experienced this one firsthand. Strong Zero is a brand of Chuhai that is made by freezing fruit in liquid nitrogen. It boasts a considerably high alcohol content (9% ABV) and is a beverage that you can easily get carried away drinking if you aren’t careful.
• Remember to hydrate – sometimes when the drinks are flowing a little too well, it can be tough to remember to drink some water. As alcohol is a diuretic, it’s important to mix in a glass of water (or two) between drinks to help prevent or reduce the chances of becoming dehydrated.
• Don’t drink before others – I know it’s tempting not to dive right into that ice-cold Suntory draft but if you are with a group of friends, colleagues, or acquaintances, it is considered polite to refrain from drinking until everyone has been served.
• Don’t pour your own drink – in Japanese drinking culture, it’s customary for your drinking partners to refill your glass from communal bottles (and for you to return the favor). 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: I got all amped up as I heard about several Japanese “hangover prevention” drinks, mainly ‘ukon no chikara’, a small bronze/orange-ish bottle packed with turmeric, amino acids, curcumin, and other natural nutrients. I definitely tested this to the limit and can say that I found no tangible effect on my hangovers while living in Japan. 

My Experiences Drinking Alcohol in Japan

The Japanese Highball is an institution in itself – whiskey and soda water.

Japan is an extremely safe country and unless you are inserting yourself into dangerous situations (involving substance abuse or other nefarious activities), you have very little to worry about. Even then, I imagine it doesn’t carry the same gravitas as it might in your home country.

Major areas such as Roppongi and Shibuya in Tokyo do require some vigilance as you are in a metropolitan area of roughly 40 million people, so there are bound to be certain people “on their hustle” and not always acting with the best intentions. Even as someone who has consumed a lot of booze in his day, I tried to remain extra vigilant while navigating these party areas – especially as I was alone.  

The several things I recommend staying mindful of, based on my three months in Japan, are (a) there is a tendency for a lot of people to drink to excess and encourage you to do so as well, and (b) there are rigid social hierarchical norms in Japan and it’s important to be respectful of this distinct culture. 

The “worst” thing that happened to me during my time drinking in Japan was at a little mom-and-pop izakaya in Kyoto on a Tuesday night. I say “worst” like it’s a bad thing when in reality I didn’t mind too much. I was seated next to a regular at the small countertop and he ended up buying several bottles of sake and challenging me to drink them as quickly as possible with him. I think he was just excited to drink with someone else but he was very persistent. 

I’m a big boy and can put them back so I obliged and we drank for several hours. At one point, he stood up and fell over into several racks of plastic tea and water cups, knocking them over. The owners gave him the signal that it was time to leave and he stumbled off into the night. 

I also woke up naked in the hallway of my hotel in Tokyo after racing half-yard craft beers with some local buddies of mine but that’s a story for another time.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re in the Kansai Region of Japan and looking for fantastic yakiniku (BBQ) and some free-flow drink deals, make sure to check out my post ‘Blazing a Yakiniku Trail in the Kansai Region of Japan’.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking in Japan

Do Convenience Stores Like 7-11 & Family Mart Check Your ID When Buying Alcohol?

This is an interesting one. When you purchase alcohol from a convenience store like 7-11, Family Mart, or Lawson, you’ll be prompted by a “check-out screen” (most things are digital in Japan) asking you to confirm that you are old enough to drink. It is typically in Japanese and most of the time I purchased alcohol, the cashier would just reach over and press the button. 

Grocery stores and supermarkets may also check your ID when buying alcohol there. But this is also situational and may be in cases where you appear underage or already intoxicated. 

Do Bars & Clubs Check Your ID in Japan?

Based on personal experience, I would say that this really does vary. While I never had my ID checked at any drinking establishment in Japan, during the several weeks I posted up in Kyoto, I did witness a number of bars and clubs along the riverside district of Pontocho regularly checking IDs at the door and turning away those who were underage.  

Additionally, the clubs that I personally went to in Osaka all checked my ID – even as a balding, chunky 33-year-old American man. 

It’s worth noting that most (or all) restaurants in Japan aren’t in the habit of checking the IDs of patrons, and I was never ID’d during my three months at a single restaurant. Checking your ID at a restaurant in Japan would be extremely rare. I would, however, expect that if you do try and enter a bar or club there is a possibility that you are ID’d. And, there is a possibility that if you don’t have your passport on you they may not accept another form of ID. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re a ramen fiend like me, make sure to check out my ‘ramen bible’ breaking down 21 of my favorite ramen restaurants in Osaka. 

How Strict is Japan on Underage Drinking? 

While Japanese bars and clubs may implement regular ID checks for patrons, I would classify Japan as a relatively “relaxed” culture when it comes to underage drinking – especially when it comes to enforcing it for foreigners. 

It’s not uncommon to see a group of teenagers or young college/university students sitting outside, chatting, and drinking some alcoholic beverages from their local convenience store. 

As mentioned above, when purchasing alcohol at a local convenience store or supermarket, the extent of the ID check involves pressing a button on a screen acknowledging that you are at least 20 years old. So, it’s not exactly a thorough examination or vetting process when it comes to selling people booze in Japan. 

Can You Drink on the Shinkansen?

Absolutely. You’re reading a blog of someone who has done it many times. While drinking alcohol (or anything) on regular metro trains or lines is considered taboo in Japan, the Shinkansen is a different beast. They even sell alcohol on the Shinkansen. This is because the Shinkansen is typically reserved for longer trips rather than quick commutes. Just remember to clean up your garbage and throw it out in the designated bins in the middle of the cars.  

Every single time I’d take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo (and back), I’d load up on several Asahi cans and two katsu sandos (fried pork cutlet sandwiches). 

Can You Drink in Public in Japan?

This is the first picture I took in Japan (within several hours of landing) – just two friends posted up on a mat at Osaka Castle, drinking some early morning beers to start the day.

While Japan does not have any specific laws prohibiting drinking alcohol in public, it is important to be mindful of where you consume your booze as, culturally, it is frowned upon in specific areas. In general, avoid drinking alcohol in train or metro stations (the Shinkansen is alright!) or while riding other public transportation. Further, consuming alcohol or eating while walking. During my three months in Osaka, I rarely saw anyone consume ANYTHING while on the move.

The real key is to not make a scene, be respectful of others, and don’t flaunt it openly. 

I’d often see Japanese salarymen after a long day, posted up outside the local 7-11 or Family Mart (or one of the rare vending machines that sells alcohol), standing and digging into a snack while slugging an ice-cold can of beer or Chuhai. 

Is the Legal Drinking Age in Tokyo Different?

No. The legal drinking age in Tokyo is the same as in the rest of Japan and is 20 years old. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: A funny little story when I was living in Osaka – I was walking down the street one day and taking a sip of my water (nonalcoholic) when a small Japanese child pointed up at me and started shaking his head and scolding me (I think) in Japanese. In Japan, eating or drinking while walking is generally considered taboo and you will see most people stopping to take a sip or eat. 

Final Thoughts on the Drinking Age in Japan

Oktoberfest in Osaka was actually an absolute blast and I found it hilarious that it takes place between April and May.

Osaka (and Japan) felt eerily comfortable for me. I was caught by surprise just how “at home” I felt while living there for those three months. 

Maybe it was because I was able to seamlessly ease into a productive routine. Maybe it was because I was seamlessly able to break that routine and put an end to the monotony of it all by having a big night out. The multitudes that Japan contains very much jives with the essence of this Big Body and because of it, I know that Osaka (and Japan) will always be somewhere I return to for extended three to six-month stints in the future. 

Remember, the legal drinking age in Japan is 20. While there are no prescribed penalties for underage drinking, if you are studying abroad or working, you may face being reported to the administration or your superiors. However, I would mention that this is relatively rare (this isn’t me condoning drinking underage though!). 

Some of my favorite memories of Japan include going out with one of my top roll-dawgs (who initially showed me the ropes of Osaka when I first moved there) for more than a handful of nama beerus (draft beers), pub crawls, and various meetups. I also loved posting up solo (on the reg) at Orix Buffaloes baseball games and slugging draft beers over several bowls of takoyaki while I watched the intrepid beer girls of the stadium traverse countless rows of steps with a mini keg on their back. 

If you have any interesting stories or thoughts about drinking in Japan, I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Or, if you have any questions about traveling to or moving to Japan, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email (info@palealetravel.com). 

Drink well and responsibly everyone,

Big Body