Whether you’re on holiday, enjoying a day off, or consider yourself a bit of an alcohol connoisseur, indulging in a spot of day drinking in Japan is like sipping on the sweet nectar of life! Since street drinking is perfectly legal here, you’ll find plenty of folks enjoying a tipple at any hour of the day.
Find out more about different Japanese drinks, Japanese beers, the special strong zero you can get in Japan, and how to prepare for a night out in Tokyo. Also, check out our bar recommendations in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Akihabara, Asakusa, Nakano, Shimokitazawa and Koenji.
One of the best ways to explore Tokyo is to visit the local areas and immerse yourself in the local culture. If you want to explore local areas, we have created scavenger hunt adventures personalised to your interests, filled with fun facts, clues and puzzles. If you’re curious, you can check out the games here! Check out the Flip Japan Games here! |
“It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.”
This statement is the universal justification for starting a boozy session earlier than others in your present timezone. Day drinking is socially unacceptable to some, but to others who know how to do it right, they know it’s a blast.
So, do Japanese people day drink?
The simple answer is, yes!
Whether it’s street-drinking with friends, enjoying a BBQ at the beach with ice-cold beers, housewives enjoying a cocktail with lunch at an uptown restaurant or students soaking up the sun at the park with a couple of drinks, there is no denying that the Japanese know how to day drink.
Find out more about the many different types of Japanese alcohol and Japanese beers!
Day drinking is especially prevalent during matsuri’s—Japanese festivals—and during national holidays (there’s almost one every month!), and no more so than during the famous cherry-blossom viewing season. It is a custom in Japan to gather in parks with your friends and drink while admiring the cherry blossoms during this time. People show up as early as 5am in parks to snag a good picnic spot under the cherry blossom trees.
In short, you don’t have to worry about being judged for street drinking, having a drink while the sun’s still high up in the sky in Japan.
Ways to Day Drink in Japan
Drinking in Parks
Drinking in parks is probably the best and most common way to indulge in day drinking. Tokyo boasts numerous beautiful parks like Yoyogi Park and Ueno Park. If the weather is fine, gather your friends and head to a park for a chilled-out drinking session!
The most straightforward way to get alcohol is to go to a konbini (convenience store) and go street drinking. They’ve got everything: beer, cocktails, wine, hard liquor and, of course, the deadly 9% alcohol Strong Zeroes. While you’re at it, grab a couple of snacks and you’re ready to day drink like a proper local.
For those looking to add a touch of class, consider Budget Mimosas: pick up the cheapest sparkling wine, a carton of orange juice, some frozen cut fruit, and plastic cups, and voila! You’ve got yourself a little cocktail! Swap the sparkling wine for red wine and you’ve got a konbini Sangria!
There are also import shops like Kaldi or Seijo Ishii that sell international craft beer and upmarket wine if you’re feeling a little fancier than usual.
Restaurants and Bar Drinking
Who doesn’t love brunch? Holidays or special Sundays often call for a boozy brunch with loved ones—isn’t that why the Mimosa was invented? A good brunch spot, quality food, a nice atmosphere, and a decent drink selection make for a perfect afternoon.
One of our favourites is Tractor Morning in Nakameguro, primarily a bar with plenty of alcohol and delicious food that often sells out fast. Another top pick is Hobgoblin’s Sunday roast, offering a decent amount of food for just 1500 yen. While it may not match the authenticity of an English roast, it’s a solid choice for Tokyo. Bills may be overrated, but they offer a great atmosphere for a fancy brunch, along with killer cocktails.
One of the most effective ways to find brunch spots and places to day drink is by using Ikyu, a Japanese booking website for hotels, restaurants, and spas. What’s great about Ikyu is that they offer discounted rooms and meals. You can score an awesome lunch/brunch with an all-you-can-drink deal at really nice restaurants, for just ¥3,300.
Please note that Ikyu is available only in Japanese. If you need help navigating it, feel free to message us. We’re more than happy to help! If you’re looking for something other than brunch, some restaurants and izakayas serve alcohol earlier than most.
The Flying Circus in Shibuya offers a great selection of gin and has a unique outdoor seating arrangement. Enjoy customisable G&Ts from 12:00 in a circus-style tent. Another fantastic gin spot is the Day Food Lab in Koenji, open from 14:00 on weekends. Cafe Havana deserves an honourable mention for their happy hour (16:00-19:00), offering G&Ts and Moscow Mules for just ¥200!
Events and Festivals
Japan hosts events and festivals throughout the year, especially in big cities. These include event halls, park event spaces, and festivals, where you’ll find food trucks, food stalls, and drink booths aplenty. These events usually feature performances for entertainment, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink!
During the summer, beer gardens abound, often located on rooftops of major department stores near major stations around the city. They typically offer all-you-can-drink BBQ deals.
As mentioned earlier, Japanese festivals are grand celebrations drawing many visitors eager to soak in Japanese traditions and culture. Besides food and drink booths, you’ll find activity and game booths suitable for all ages. It’s an ideal place to dive into day drinking in Japan!
Wandering Around the City with a Drink in Hand
With public drinking legal in Japan, feel free to bring along some of your favourite drinks and enjoy them while wandering around the city. Street drinking may lead you to discover lesser-known sides of Tokyo, away from the usual spots talked about online. This is how we stumbled upon many of the places we discovered and want to share with you!
Not sure where to start or where to go? Check out our guide that takes you to all major sights of Tokyo in a day. We also offer walking tours exploring the city, so just message us if you’re interested in joining one of them.
Day drinking is a quintessential Japanese experience—one you should definitely try while you’re here. It’s unlike drinking at night, which can get wild and intense with tequila shots and blackouts. Instead, day drinking aims to get you.
Find out more about all the different Japanese food, different types of ramen, ramen chains in Japan. For drinks, check out the different Japanese drinks, Japanese beers, the special strong zero you can get in Japan and how to prepare for a night out in Tokyo.
Stay tuned for more information about Japan travel, Japanese culture, moving to Japan, living in Japan, Japan nightlife, Japanese language and more.
