If you’re planning a trip to Japan or already living there as a foreigner, one of the most common questions you’ll come across is:
“What is the legal drinking age in Japan?”
Japan is famous for its nightlife, cozy izakayas, neon-lit bar streets, sake tasting rooms, and vending machines once known for selling alcoholic drinks. However, the country also has strict alcohol laws, and breaking them can lead to fines, legal trouble, or being denied service. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Japan’s drinking age, including rules for foreigners, what enforcement looks like, cultural drinking etiquette, and updated 2025 laws.
The Legal Drinking Age in Japan Is 20 Years Old
Whether you are Japanese, a foreign tourist, or an international resident, the legal drinking age is the same across the entire country:
- Legal drinking age in Japan: 20 years old
- Legal purchasing age: 20 years old
- No exceptions for foreigners, military, or parents
This is defined by Japan’s Minor Drinking Prohibition Act, originally passed in 1922. Even though Japan lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18 in April 2022, the drinking age remains at 20 and will continue to be in 2025.
Why Is the Drinking Age 20 in Japan?
Japan’s drinking age is set at 20 due to cultural, historical, and health-safety reasons:
Historical Reason
The age was originally tied to the legal definition of adulthood in the early 20th century.
Cultural Reason
Japan takes alcohol consumption seriously, viewing drinking as an activity for responsible adults who can participate in nomikai (drinking gatherings), business dinners, and social events.
Health & Safety
Research linked early alcohol use with long-term health problems, so the law reinforces public safety, particularly with underage binge drinking, which Japan considers a growing issue. Even after Japan redefined adulthood to 18, the government chose to keep alcohol (and tobacco) at 20 due to public concern and risk associated with lowering it.
Do Foreigners Need to Be 20 to Drink in Japan?
Yes. 100% yes.
Foreign tourists and residents must follow the same law as Japanese citizens.
Japan does not recognize:
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Your home country’s drinking age
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“Parental permission”
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Military or professional exceptions
If you’re 19 or younger, you cannot buy or consume alcohol in Japan, period.
Breaking the law can lead to
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Denial of alcohol service
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Police warnings or intervention
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Hotel or bar refusal
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Fines for the business serving you
Japan rarely arrests foreigners for underage drinking, but businesses can get into serious trouble.
Is the Drinking Age in Tokyo Different?
No. Tokyo follows the same national law.
Legal drinking age in Tokyo, Japan: 20
This applies to:
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Shibuya
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Shinjuku
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Roppongi
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Ikebukuro
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Ginza
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All 23 wards of Tokyo
No prefecture or city in Japan has different rules.
Do Bars and Izakayas Check Your ID in Japan?
Yes, especially in Tokyo, Osaka, and tourist areas. Convenience stores often ask for age confirmation. Alcohol vending machines now require smart-card age verification. Because underage drinking enforcement has increased since 2010, businesses are cautious.
Accepted IDs include
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Passport
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Residence card (zairyū card)
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Japanese driver’s license
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MyNumber card (for locals)
Student IDs or foreign driver’s licenses are often rejected. Discover cultural norms abroad while learning What Language Do the Amish Speak and exploring scent profiles like What Does Musk Smell Like.
What Happens If You’re Under 20 and Try to Drink?
Businesses may:
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Refuse service
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Ask for identification
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Ask you to leave
Japan prefers polite refusal, not confrontation. Police are usually called only if someone becomes problematic or refuses to cooperate.
If caught:
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You won’t be fined (unless causing trouble)
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The bar or store may face penalties
Japan prioritizes the responsibility of the seller over the minor.
Can You Drink Outside in Japan?
Yes, and this surprises many visitors.
Drinking in public is legal in Japan
You can drink:
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On the street
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In parks
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At festivals
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On beaches
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Outside convenience stores
As long as you are over 20 and behave respectfully.
But it’s illegal to
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Drink and drive
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Be excessively disruptive in public
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Drink inside certain trains or stadiums with posted rules
However, during events like hanami (cherry blossom viewing), outdoor drinking is widely accepted.
Is Japan Strict About the Drinking Age?
Japan’s enforcement is polite but firm.
Where enforcement is strict
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Convenience stores (they always require digital age confirmation button)
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Nightclubs and bars in busy areas
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Festivals with alcohol bans (rare but possible)
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Airport bars
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High-end izakayas
Where enforcement is lighter
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Small rural shops
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Family-run izakayas
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Traditional festivals
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Local restaurants
But even if enforcement seems relaxed, drinking under 20 is still illegal.
Drinking Culture in Japan: What Foreigners Should Know
Understanding the law is one thing, understanding the culture is another.
Japan has a strong social drinking tradition, especially among workers.
Drinking together is a bonding ritual
Coworkers often go to izakayas after work for “nomikai.”
You generally don’t pour your own drink
People pour drinks for each other as a sign of respect.
The word for “cheers” is kanpai
It’s rude to drink before everyone has their glass.
Drinking to excess is sometimes socially accepted
The culture tolerates drunkenness more than many Western countries, though you will still be expected to behave appropriately.
But you must not cause trouble
Police may reprimand disruptive behavior even if you’re over 20.
What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Japan for Foreign Students?
Same as everyone else: 20. Universities often hold drinking parties, but they typically check ages to avoid liability.
If you are:
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An exchange student
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A language school student
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A long-term resident
The law applies regardless of identity or status.
What About Sake Tastings or Brewery Tours?
Almost all require:
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Proof of age if you look under 25
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Reservation with ID
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No minors participating, even with parents
You must be 20 or older to participate in:
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Sake brewery tours
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Whisky tastings
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Craft beer samplers
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Distillery visits
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Wine bars
Is the Legal Drinking Age Changing in 2025?
- Short answer: No.
- Long answer: Very unlikely.
When Japan lowered the age of adulthood to 18 in 2022, there was national debate about also lowering the drinking age, but surveys showed: 75% of Japanese adults opposed lowering the drinking age. Government health committees recommended keeping it at 20. Youth drinking concerns increased
As of 2025
- Drinking age is still 20
- No official movement to lower it
- Changes are not expected in the next few years
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal drinking age in Japan?
20 years old.
Can foreigners under 20 drink in Japan?
No. Foreigners must follow local law.
Is the drinking age lower in Tokyo?
No. It is 20 nationwide.
Is public drinking legal in Japan?
Yes, as long as you are over 20 and behave responsibly.
Can you drink at age 18 in Japan?
No, not even with parents.
What is the legal drinking age in Japan in 2025?
Still 20, with no expected changes.
Do convenience stores check ID?
Yes. They may ask for physical ID if you look young.
Can you buy alcohol from vending machines?
Only if you have age-verified IC cards.
Drinking in Japan Is Fun, But the Law Is Clear
Japan has an incredible drinking culture: Izakayas, sake bars, street festivals, and neon-lit nightlife districts. But the country also expects responsibility and respect for the law. No matter who you are or where you’re from. You must be 20 years old to drink alcohol in Japan. Whether you’re preparing for a trip, studying abroad, or moving to Japan, understanding this rule will keep you safe, and help you enjoy Japan’s vibrant drinking scene without any problems.
