Quote:
Originally Posted by calmdowngeorge
Hello,
Me and my girlfriend are heading to tokyo on tuesday, and i wanted to know about the attitudes towards alcohol. We are both 19 and from the UK, so we are legally allowed to drink. But obviously the drinking age in Japan is 20, so will we not be allowed to have a beer with dinner? or are places pretty relaxed on the drinking age?
Thanks a lot
george  x |
Well compared to the States (where I am from) Japan is extremely lax when it comes to minors and drinking. However, in the past few years I have seen a big increase in signs etc. at convenient stores and places saying "we check ID", though I have never seen anybody get carded. Most likely you will not have a problem buying from stores, and even getting into many bars, and I imagine the worst they will do to you is say sorry I cannot sell that to you, or let you in here. I do not know this for sure since I have never seen that situation play out here, but that would be my guess.
Just grow yourself a little stubble and I doubt anybody will be the wiser.