Drinking age and alcohol

The drinking age is 20, regardless of the drinking age back home.

What to know

• Nobody under 20 may drink alcohol in Japan. Japan lowered the age of adulthood to 18 in 2022, but the drinking age stayed at 20.
• Shops and bars are legally required to take steps such as checking age. Selling alcohol to someone they know is under 20 can cost them a fine of up to ¥500,000, so don't be surprised if you're asked for ID.
• The same age limit applies to smoking rooms. Anyone under 20 can't enter them.
• Drinking and driving: any alcohol in your system while driving is against the law. The rule covers rental cars too.
• Bringing alcohol in: the duty-free allowance is 3 bottles of about 760 ml each per adult.

psst, carry your passport, or a clear photo of it, if you look young. A bar that can't confirm your age will simply refuse to serve you.

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