· Once you reach your 20th birthday, you gain full legal access to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages throughout Japan. This milestone is celebrated as part of Japan’s Coming of Age Day (成人の日), a national holiday that recognizes the transition to full adult legal status. · But before you raise your glass, it’s important to understand the drinking age in Japan and how Japan’s alcohol laws differ from those in other countries. The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old, and it applies to everyone, including foreigners, exchange students, and tourists. · If you are moving to or visiting Japan, you will need to know age restrictions in Japan for driving, drinking, marriage, voting and more. · Whether you’re drinking sake, beer, wine, or spirits, you must be at least 20 to legally buy or consume alcohol anywhere in Japan. This age restriction applies to Japanese citizens, residents, and tourists equally—no exceptions. · The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old. This age limit is established by the Act on Prohibition of Drinking by Minors, a law enacted in 1922 that strictly prohibits individuals under this age from consuming or purchasing alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old, established under the Liquor Tax Act (酒税法) and reinforced by the Adult Day Law (成人年齢法). This age requirement applies uniformly across all 47 prefectures and applies to all types of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, spirits, and sake.
