The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. People must be at least 20 years old to legally drink alcohol, even though Japan lowered its general age of adulthood from 20 to 18 in April 2022. The change in the age of adulthood did not change the minimum age for alcohol or tobacco. The rule applies to Japanese residents and visitors, so an American traveler who is 18 or 19 cannot legally buy or drink alcohol in Japan.
Japan’s drinking-age law also places responsibilities on retailers and adults who supervise minors. Shops, bars, restaurants, and other businesses that sell or provide alcohol must take steps to prevent underage drinking, including checking age when necessary. If you are planning a trip, understand the age rule before ordering a drink, visiting an izakaya, or buying alcohol from a convenience store.
What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Japan?
The minimum legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old. The rule comes from the Act Prohibiting Drinking by Minors, a national law that prohibits people under 20 from consuming alcoholic beverages. The legal threshold is not 18, 19, or the age at which someone can vote or enter many adult contracts.
Japan’s Ministry of Justice explains that the drinking and smoking age remained 20 after the Civil Code’s age of adulthood was lowered to 18. The distinction is intentional: different laws can set different age thresholds for different activities. Reaching legal adulthood at 18 does not mean every age-restricted activity becomes available at 18.
Why Is the Drinking Age Still 20 if Adulthood Starts at 18?
Japan amended the Civil Code so that the age of majority became 18 on April 1, 2022. That change affects matters such as certain contracts and civil legal capacity. However, the government retained age 20 for alcohol and tobacco because of health and youth-protection concerns. The Ministry of Justice specifically explains that the minimum age for drinking and smoking was not lowered with the age of adulthood.
This is why a visitor should not use the general adult age as a shortcut for alcohol rules. A person can be an adult for some legal purposes at 18 and still be prohibited from drinking until 20. Similar distinctions exist in other countries, where voting, driving, marriage, gambling, and alcohol laws may use different minimum ages.
Can Tourists Under 20 Drink Alcohol in Japan?
No. The minimum age is not different for foreign tourists. An international visitor who is 18 or 19 must follow Japan’s law while in the country. Being old enough to drink in the United States or another home country does not create an exemption. Likewise, a 19-year-old who can legally drink in a different destination cannot rely on that country’s rules while visiting Japan.
Tourists should expect staff to ask for identification if they appear young. Carry a valid passport or another identification document accepted by the business. A photograph of an ID may not be accepted, so check what the venue requires. Do not argue that the age of adulthood is 18; the alcohol law is separate.
Can Someone Under 20 Buy Alcohol in Japan?
No. The law prohibits under-20 drinking and also restricts businesses from selling or providing alcohol when they know it is intended for a person under 20. Retailers are expected to take age-verification measures. Convenience stores, supermarkets, liquor shops, restaurants, and bars may ask customers to confirm their age or show identification.
Japan’s convenience stores sell beer, chu-hi, sake, wine, and other alcoholic beverages, but the availability of alcohol in a store does not mean anyone can purchase it. Self-checkout systems may require an age confirmation, and staff can intervene if they suspect the buyer is underage. Never ask an older friend to buy alcohol for you if you are under 20.
What Happens if Someone Under 20 Drinks Alcohol?
The law prohibits people under 20 from drinking. It also places a duty on parents or adults who exercise parental authority or supervise a minor to stop underage drinking when they become aware of it. Businesses that sell or provide alcohol to underage people can face penalties. The legal consequences depend on the conduct and the applicable provisions, so visitors should not assume that an underage drinking incident is treated as harmless or ignored.
For travelers, the simplest way to avoid legal trouble is to wait until age 20 before drinking in Japan. If a venue refuses service because of age, respect the decision. Do not attempt to use a false date of birth or another person’s identification. Providing false information can create additional problems beyond the drinking-age restriction.
What Types of Alcohol Are Covered?
The age restriction applies to alcoholic beverages generally, not only beer or sake. It covers drinks such as wine, whisky, shochu, cocktails, canned chu-hi, and other beverages that contain alcohol. The type of venue does not change the minimum age. A restaurant, hotel bar, karaoke venue, nightclub, festival stall, or convenience store must follow the law.
Visitors should also remember that some drinks may look like soft drinks or fruit beverages but contain alcohol. Check the label for alcohol content before purchasing a canned beverage. If you are under 20, choose a clearly non-alcoholic option instead.
Can You Drink Alcohol at a Japanese Restaurant or Izakaya at 18 or 19?
No. The setting does not create an exception. An izakaya is a Japanese-style pub or casual restaurant that often serves food alongside beer, sake, shochu, and other drinks. Staff may check identification when a customer orders alcohol. A parent or older companion cannot simply give permission for an under-20 person to drink legally.
Many restaurants offer non-alcoholic drinks, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol-free versions of popular beverages. Ask the server for a non-alcoholic option if you are under 20 or do not wish to drink. Be careful with menu descriptions and confirm whether a drink contains alcohol.
Japan Drinking Age Compared With the United States
The United States generally sets the minimum legal purchase age for alcoholic beverages at 21 under federal law and state implementation. Japan’s minimum is 20. That means an American traveler who is 20 may be legally old enough to drink in Japan but not old enough to purchase alcohol in most U.S. jurisdictions. A 19-year-old American remains below Japan’s legal drinking age.
| Country | General minimum legal drinking age | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 20 | Applies to residents and visitors |
| United States | 21 | Minimum purchase age under federal framework; state laws govern implementation and exceptions |
Do not assume that a passport from one country changes the law in another. The age requirement is based on the law where the alcohol is being purchased or consumed. When traveling internationally, check the destination’s current rules and carry valid identification.
Responsible Drinking Etiquette in Japan
For visitors who are at least 20, understanding local customs can make social situations more comfortable. In some group settings, people may share a toast before drinking. Some izakaya meals involve ordering several dishes for the table, and drinks may be served in small glasses or shared formats. Customs vary by venue and group, so follow the host’s lead rather than treating any one practice as universal.
Drink within your limits, do not pressure anyone to drink, and arrange safe transportation. Public transportation is widely used in major Japanese cities, but train schedules differ by location and time. Never drive after drinking. If you are unfamiliar with a beverage’s strength, ask the server and pace yourself with food and water.
Travel Checklist for Visitors
- Remember that the legal drinking age in Japan is 20.
- Do not rely on the age of adulthood being 18; alcohol has a separate age rule.
- Carry valid identification if you are 20 or older and plan to order alcohol.
- Check labels on canned drinks and cocktails for alcohol content.
- Choose non-alcoholic drinks if you are under 20.
- Follow venue rules and do not use someone else’s identification.
- Plan safe transportation and never drink and drive.
For the official legal explanation, read the Japanese Ministry of Justice’s age-of-majority Q&A and the current text of the Act Prohibiting Drinking by Persons Under 20. For more destination planning, explore Worthiums’ Travel section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the drinking age in Japan 18 or 20?
It is 20. Japan lowered the general age of adulthood to 18 in 2022, but the minimum age for alcohol remained 20.
Can a 19-year-old American drink in Japan?
No. Visitors must follow Japanese law, and a 19-year-old is below the legal drinking age in Japan.
Can a 20-year-old drink in Japan?
Yes, a person who has reached 20 may legally drink in Japan, subject to other laws and venue policies. They should carry valid identification if asked.
Can parents allow a 19-year-old to drink in Japan?
No. Parental permission does not create a general exception to the national minimum drinking age.
Did Japan change the drinking age when adulthood became 18?
No. The drinking and smoking age remained 20 after the Civil Code change took effect on April 1, 2022.
Conclusion
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20, and the rule applies to both residents and foreign visitors. The country’s decision to lower the general age of adulthood to 18 did not change alcohol restrictions. If you are 18 or 19, choose non-alcoholic drinks. If you are 20 or older, carry valid identification, follow venue rules, and drink responsibly.
Lois Snyder is a versatile writer with experience across multiple domains. She crafts engaging and informative content, delivering valuable insights and captivating readers with her expertise and passion for diverse topics.