The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old for both buying and drinking alcohol in public places like bars, restaurants, and convenience stores.

Quick Scoop

  • You must be 20 or older to legally purchase or consume alcohol in Japan.
  • This applies to tourists and locals alike—your home country’s rules don’t matter once you’re in Japan.
  • Stores, izakaya (Japanese pubs), and bars can ask for ID, and you’re expected to carry a passport as proof of age if you’re a visitor.
  • Under 20s are not allowed to buy alcohol and are also prohibited from drinking, even if an older person orders it for them.

In short: if you’re under 20, stick to soft drinks in Japan—once you hit 20, you can legally join in on the sake, beer, and highball culture, as long as you drink responsibly.

Note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.