Drinking Water in Japan- Where, When, How!

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Helen Foster is a Sydney-based author, journalist and content creator. She has traveled to Japan six times and is planning trip seven. Her articles on Japan have appeared in publications including Reader's Digest (Asia Pacific), RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, the Japan National Tourism Organisation website and more. She is a digital publisher member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.

Tap Water in Japan

The tap water in Japan is clean and safe to drink. It tends to be soft water, which means it’s low in minerals. It’s lightly chlorinated and has a low level of fluoride, but it doesn’t taste of chemicals. Even so, some hotels, like my regular haunt, the Sotetsu Fresa Inn in Daimon, have filtered water running through the taps. Even if your hotel doesn’t, though, don’t worry about brushing your teeth, using your room kettle or even taking a drink out of the tap in Japan – it’s clean.

Some regions are incredibly proud of the purity of their tap water. In Toyama, for example, there’s even a display at the station about it!

Water Fountains in Japan

Water fountains used to be scarce in Japan, as you could buy bottled water on every corner via the ubiquitous vending machines. So, they weren’t thought of as important. But as Japan tries to cut down on plastic waste, that’s changing.

You’ll find more water fountains on the streets – and some even come shaped like giant gold, fish/dragon creatures (the one above is in Nagoya, find out where in our Nagoya itinerary)!

The easiest way to find the nearest fountain is via the Mymizu app, which you can download from the app store. This app uses your map location to find the nearest public water fountain or point you in the direction of a cafe, bar, or restaurant that offers free water bottle refills.

Drinking Water in Restaurants

In many restaurants in Japan, free water comes with your meal. There might be a jug on the counter, an area with glasses and a jug or water vending machine. Because I tend not to drink with meals unless I’m ordering a beer or wine, I’ve even sat down with my meal before and had the staff bring me water as I think they thought I didn’t know it was there.

One thing to note in restaurants is the size of the glasses others around you have poured. When I was trying the famous black ramen in Toyama, everyone around me had a big glass of water (even though small glasses were available). I soon discovered why—it was a pretty salty broth!

Bottled Water in Japan

Bottled water is available in almost all of Japan’s 4 million vending machines and convenience stores. You are never going to be that far from liquid! Of course, these do come in plastic bottles.

If you prefer your water fizzy, Wilkinson Tansan is the brand to choose. I’m a big fan of their grapefruit flavor.

Where to Drink in Japan

Okay, so now you know where you’ll find water; what’s the deal with drinking it? Unlike most Western countries, where you can glug at will, Japan has some social etiquette about eating and drinking when out and about, which also applies to water.

Generally, you don’t do either while walking. The rationale behind this is that you might spill something on others.

If I’m out and about and need a drink, I will tend to stop by the nearest vending machine and take a drink there. Or I’ll stand outside a convenience store.

Of course, if there’s no one else on the street, there’s no liquid police going to arrest you for unsanctioned water consumption on a public road, but maybe don’t swig while battling the crowds at Senso-ji, or Kyoto’s Nishiki Market.

What About Drinking on Transport?

On the Shinkansen, anything goes. I’m writing this on the bullet train, and the guy opposite is drinking from his water bottle as I type.

The general rule is not to drink on local trains and the metro. I will drink on a local train if I’m in two seats together and no-one in the seat next to me – I just hide by the window. I wouldn’t do it on a crowded subway or if I was in a row of seats, particularly with people next to me (as would happen in the picture above), so I don’t get tagged as a rude tourist!

It’s also not polite to drink on local buses which often get crowded but long-distance buses are fine. The Japanese lady next to me on my bus back to Tokyo from Lake Kawaguchiko was regularly sipping from a bottle.

Staying Hydrated at Japan’s Theme Parks

The Tokyo Disney Parks say they allow water bottles and plastic bottles to be brought into the parks, and there are water fountains throughout. However, they’re often themed to the land, so you might not always spot them so easily – this is the one in Mediterranean Harbour at DisneySea.

Universal Studios Japan also says it allows plastic bottles and thermos flasks up to 500ml – BUT, watch out – someone in my theme park Facebook group didn’t get a metal bottle through security. I’m not sure if that was related to the size, or the type of bottle they were using. Like Disney, they have drinking fountains thoughout the park.

Need Extra Planning Help?

Our Japan trip planners can help. Choose from our 62-page Japan Super Planner, which includes tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing. Or, try a specific planner like Tokyo Tips, Kyoto Tips, or the Rail Pass Planner. Find them at our Etsy Store. Use code BLG25 at checkout to get 25 per cent discount.

Check Out Some of the Shrine Waters

Japan has many natural springs – the hot ones create onsen towns, the cold ones often create wells or natural springs in the middle of towns – or at shrines – and these are often are said to offer benefits over and above basic hydration!

At Hakone Shrine (most famous for its photogenic red tori gate on the edge of the water), you can buy a bottle to fill up at the shrine spring, and the water is delivered from the mouth of a dragon! Drinking from this fountain is said to help improve your luck in love!

At Kiyomizu-dera Shrine in Kyoto, the Otowa waterfall has three springs leading from it that people drink from—each with its own added benefits. You walk behind the stream to drink, so if you want success, go to the furthest stream; for longevity, go to the middle, and, for love, pick the one closest to you when you enter the drinking area. Don’t drink from them all, or they won’t work!

Important – don’t drink the water in the purification fountains found at the entrance of most shrines. You might see people wetting their lips or rinsing their mouths with it, but it’s not for drinking.

If the water in the shrine is suitable for drinking it will be in a separate area, and you’ll usually see signs, or spot Japanese people filling up bottles or drinking from the stream with a special cup or ladle.

And Finally – What’s That Bottle Doing There?

While we’re here, I’ll also address one of the mysteries of Japan that you might encounter on your travels: Why are random bottles of water just sitting on the street or outside houses?

Well, it’s not a thoughtful gift for thirsty tourists; it’s to scare off cats! The theory is that either light reflected from the water or seeing their distorted reflection will freak out any kitties coming along to add a little water of their own to the area!

So, that’s my brief guide on staying hydrated on your Japan trip. If you have any further questions, though, head over to the Japlanease Facebook group and post them there.