Tokyo Travel Forum

I don't mean to sound ignorant, lol, but is there a drinking age in Japan? I've read about being able to buy sake from vending machines so I don't see how they could have a drinking age and enforce it with those, lol. Just wondering if one could go into any restaurant and order wine or whatever they wanted.

Officialy it's 20, but enforcement does actually sometimes happen....usually after the fact. The police do arrest underage drinkers and whomever supplied them. As far as the vending machines, I don't remember any sake in them...maybe beer and those are getting rare too. Just so you know, there are video cameras everywhere so if you don't think you are being watched, you are. About the restaurant ordering, that is is an indivdual thing based on situation and type of eatery. For instance you may get away with it in an izakaya, but not in a fancier place or a bar....if you happen to be underage.

Oh, thank you very much! I found your response very helpful. Luckily I'll be 20 by next year ;)!! Thank you for taking the time.

As Al mentioned, the vending machines that disperse alcohol are getting rare, but they do still exist. I bought a beer from on in Fukuoka earlier this year.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/a924a/570/1/#1828550

Similar to ones that dispense cigarettes, some of them are equipped with an identity card reader. If you ID does not say you are of age, then the machine will not dispense.

I have never seen a foreigner being questioned about their age while drinking in Japan. The first time I was there (when I was 17), I was often confused for a business traveler and asked my occupation.