Drinking in Japan
 

I've checked on the internet, and it says that the drinking age in Japan is 20. When I and my friends go there this July, we will all be 18 (actually, I will be turning 18 whilst there) - will there be any trouble in getting into bars or clubs, or do they actually care. Is getting a 'novelty ID' for £10 worthwhile?

i went to japan when I was 17 and I had no problems whatsoever, you wont have any problems. evev if you do, there are vending machines that sell beer.
I wouldnt bother with the fake id. enjoy your trip:D

The legal age of drinking and smoking is 20, but as was pointed out there are vending machines selling alcohol etc. lots of underage people drink and smoke in Japan. Clubs may be a problem, but it depends on how old you look.

Thanks for the advice - beer in vending machines! Makes you realise how special Japan is, as that would be a disaster in the UK.

Also (this is related to vending machines), my economics teacher said that his friend, who lived in Japan, saw these vending machines in seedy parts of Tokyo where you could buy underwear worn by young girls!

Is this true? (- I am not asking because I want to buy any, but because I am disgusted and amazed)

i would hope that it isnt true.. that would just be disturbing.. as for the vending machines.. they actually vend beer? years ago when smoking was allowed in buildings they had cigarette vending machines.. but ive never seen a beer one.. thats just O_o crazyy

there is a strong roumer about vending machine panties, altough iv never seen any of those machines. From the amount of people iv heard mentioning them (search google to source more info) then thers got to be somthing to it.
i wouldnt buy any either, just take a pic of the machine for proof of its existance

they no longer have beer vending machines, but you can buy beer at any corner store.

They dont card for most clubs, but for the nicer high end clubs, you'll have to be 20.
And even some clubs require guys to be 23 and the girls they dont even card =P

My girls 18 and she walked right past a bouncer and the guy wanted me to be 23 to get into Feria one night, i was like i know so many underaged people in there right now... let me in and i wont start any trouble im fricken almost 22.

there are still vending machines for beer. there is even a vending machine that have shochu and wine in it, but not very common.

I know the rumour about the panties, it's kinda an urban myth. You can however buy used panties at certain seedy places like in Kabuki-cho and you can buy porn from vending machines that are usually located on dark country roads.

Yes there's still beer vending machines. But not in Tokyo.