Verified in Japan

Practical Travel · Published 2026-10-31 · Updated 2026-10-31

Facts last checked 2026-10-30 · Next review 2027-04-01

Drinking in public in Japan: the legal age and the street-drinking bans in Shibuya and elsewhere

Japan's drinking age is 20. Shibuya bans street drinking near the station from 18:00 to 5:00 all year, and Shinjuku restricts it at Halloween.

A wide city road at night with lit signs and car lights
Photo: Calvin Rasidi / Pexels

You have bought a can from a convenience store and want to drink it outside, on the street or in a park. Whether that is allowed in Japan depends on two things: your age, which is set by national law, and where you are standing, which is set by the local city or ward. This article covers both, using official pages checked on 2026-10-30.

The legal drinking age is 20

Japan's national law forbids drinking by anyone under 20. The National Tax Agency explains the rules:

Rule (national)What the National Tax Agency page says
Who may not drinkPeople under 20
Sellers and restaurantsMust not sell or serve alcohol to someone they know is under 20; breaking this can bring a fine of up to 500,000 yen
Age checksSellers and restaurants are to take the necessary steps, such as checking age

The age of adulthood in Japan's Civil Code became 18 on April 1, 2022, but the Ministry of Justice states that the age limits for alcohol and tobacco stay at 20. So an 18- or 19-year-old visitor cannot legally drink in Japan, even if the drinking age at home is lower.

What this means for you: be ready to show ID if asked your age. See Passport rules for visitors.

The street-drinking rules below come from local ordinances, and they cover specific areas, hours or dates.

Shibuya: banned near the station every night, all year

Shibuya City's ordinance is the Ordinance on Ensuring a Safe and Secure Environment in the Shibuya Station Area (渋谷駅周辺地域の安全で安心な環境の確保に関する条例). It was first enacted in June 2019, and an amendment took effect on October 1, 2024.

ItemShibuya Station area
What is bannedDrinking in public places such as streets and parks
Hours18:00 to 5:00 the next morning
SeasonAll year (the city says "throughout the year"; the English poster says "daily")
AreaThe marked area on the city's map around Shibuya Station
ExceptionsThe city may lift the rule for a set date, time and area for events sponsored by the city or by local neighborhood or shopping-street associations

The city's English poster includes a map of the no-drinking area around Shibuya Station. The area has no simple street boundary, so open the map before you go.

Outside the ban area, Shibuya City runs a "Zero Nuisance Street Drinking Declaration" that covers the whole ward. This is a request, not a ban: since September 1, 2023, the city has carried out patrols asking people to refrain from street drinking that disturbs others.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing — key facts

Getting there

Shibuya Station (JR, Ginza, Keio Inokashira and Tokyu Toyoko lines).

Checked 25 Sept 2026 on a tourism board site
Not yet confirmed

Opening hours, Closed, Admission, Parking, Payment, Accessibility

we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Shinjuku: a Halloween-period restriction

Shinjuku City has the Ordinance on Ensuring a Safe and Orderly Environment in the Shinjuku Station Area (新宿駅周辺地域の安全で秩序ある環境の確保に関する条例). Unlike Shibuya, it is not a year-round rule.

ItemShinjuku Station area
AreaPart of Shinjuku 3-chome and part of Kabukicho 1-chome
WhenOctober 31 and November 1, plus any other period the mayor decides is especially necessary
Hours in 202617:00 on October 31 (Sat.) to 5:00 on November 1 (Sun.)
Also askedShops in the area that sell alcohol are asked to refrain from selling it during this time
EnforcementWard staff patrol and ask people to stop

Everywhere else: check the city

Outside these areas, the national age rule still applies. For other cities, search the city's website for "路上飲酒" (street drinking).

Wherever you are, take your cans and bottles with you, keep the noise down at night, and follow posted signs.

What can change

  • Shibuya: the area, hours and exceptions can change if the ordinance is amended. Re-check the map before travel.
  • Shinjuku: hours are announced each year and the mayor can add periods. The hours above are for Halloween 2026 only.
  • Other cities: new ordinances can be passed at any time.
  • Next review: 2027-04-01, and before Halloween and New Year each year.

Sources