Things to Note When Drinking Mineral Water in Japan

Drinking Bottled Water in Japan

Japanese tap water is safe to drink. However, for those travelers uncomfortable with drinking tap water, this will not likely change their minds nor preferences. This article will talk about how to buy bottled mineral water and the various kinds available for purchase in Japan.

Places to Buy Mineral Water

You can buy mineral water at supermarkets, convenience stores, and vending machines. In stores, the bottles will be displayed in these kinds of refrigerators.

In the refrigerator, coffee drinks, energy drinks, juices and alcoholic beverages are sorted into broad categories. Mineral water is sorted in the same way. Clear bottles containing pristine water will vary in price by volume, but generally cost 100-150 yen.

Please note that the bottled water in Japan is, in general, soft, and not hard.

Types of Mineral Water in Japan

1. Regular Mineral Water

photo by Pixta
There are many bottled varieties of this mineral water, all drawn from places like Mt. Fuji and Mt. Rokko, where clean and delicious water springs forth. For this reason, store lineups will vary by region and may contain water from a well-known spring in the vicinity. You can even pick up some local water as a souvenir of your trip.

World-renowned water brands like Evian and Crystal Geyser are normally available too.

As mentioned above, Japan's water supply is soft, and mineral water is no exception. If you want to drink hard water, please purchase foreign brands like Evian.

2. Sparkling Water

Carbonated beverages are both sold at vending machines, convenience stores, and supermarkets throughout Japan.

The packaging will state 炭酸 in kanji, or "sparkling water" in English, so look for these markings on the label. Popular brands that make carbonated water include Wilkinson and Suntory.

3. Flavored and Aroma-Infused Water

Some Japanese water bottles may look identical to regular mineral water, but are scent-infused. They can contain citrus fragrances, fruity aromas, and even have a sweet flavor.

There are even yogurt-flavored varieties of bottled water sold.

You distinguish the difference by looking at the packaging, but the information is usually written in Japanese. Most flavored or scented varieties will have pictures of fruit on the label. These varieties will be slightly more expensive than regular water, costing around 120 yen to 140 yen.

If you want to drink regular water, pay close attention to the packaging. Many people may accidentally buy flavored water from a vending machine or convenience store when they just wanted a plain bottle.