Drinking Guide
Legal BAC
0.03%
Drinking Age
20+
New Drivers
Same
Rice wine served warm or chilled. Quality ranges from table sake to premium daiginjo.
Whisky and soda, hugely popular in izakayas. Often the first drink ordered.
Fruity shochu-based canned cocktails. Strong Zero (9%) is notorious for its high ABV.
Distilled spirit from sweet potato, barley, or rice. Enjoyed on the rocks or with water.
Japan's "nominication" (nomi + communication) culture means drinking is key to workplace bonding. Izakayas are the go-to venues, often starting with "toriaezu beer" (beer first). It's polite to pour for others and let them pour for you. Vending machines and convenience stores sell alcohol widely.
DUI is extremely strict: up to 5 years imprisonment or 1M JPY fine for BAC 0.03%+. Passengers who knowingly ride with a drunk driver can also be fined. Providing alcohol to a driver is also illegal.
Say "kanpai!" (cheers) before the first sip — never drink before the toast.
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) sell quality beer, chuhai, and sake 24/7.
Public drinking is legal. Cherry blossom "hanami" parties are a national tradition.
Last trains run around midnight. Missing it means an expensive taxi or karaoke until 5am.
Many izakayas offer all-you-can-drink (nomihoudai) for 90-120 minutes.
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