Japanese Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Japan boasts a wide selection of unique and exciting beverages. From teas, sodas, and alcoholic drinks- the variety that Japan offers is unparalleled. Read on to discover 35 of Japan’s most delicious drinks!

Japanese Teas are The Best Drinks to Start With

In Japanese culture, no beverage is more celebrated than tea. Due to its popularity, there is a wide variety of teas to enjoy and experience. Any time of day is a great time to enjoy a warming cup of tea in Japan.

In Japan, no tea is more popular than green tea. It is often the type of tea that comes to mind when someone mentions tea in Japan. However, green tea is only one type of tea to savor. Read on to discover a variety of other teas that are loved and celebrated.

Ryokucha

Japanese Drinks, Ryokucha

Green tea in Japan is commonly referred to as Ryokucha. There are several different varieties of this tea to experience. Ryokucha is made from the camellia sinesis plant tea leaves and is harvested at various times to yield different grades and flavors of tea. This tea offers a harmony of flavors that is both refreshing and slightly tart.

Matcha

Japanese Drinks, Matcha

Used for ceremonial practices and traditionally used for serving guests, Matcha holds a special place in Japanese culture. Made from tea leaves that have been grown in shaded areas and left to dry, the tea leaves are then finely ground into a fragrant powder. Matcha’s special purposes in Japanese culture allow only the highest quality tea leaves to be used during production.

Most often served warm after being whisked with hot water. This tea is a savory blend of both sweet and bitter. The fragrant aroma plays a huge part in the flavor of this delightful tea.

Hojicha

Hojicha, Japanese Drink

This sweet-tasting and fragrant tea is another type of green tea that is commonly enjoyed. The unique scent and flavor are due to the tea leaves roasting process. It also causes the tea to have a reddish-brown color and imparts a luscious, candy-like flavor.

Genmaicha

Japanese Drink, Genmaicha

A green tea mixed with roasted brown rice, Genamaicha is also low in caffeine levels because of the rice used to produce this tea. This tea is often served as a substitute for regular green tea due to its popularity.

Oolong Cha in Japan 2023

Oolongcha, Japanese Drink

A brown tea with Chinese origins, Oolong cha is served both hot and cold. You can expect to find this popular tea in many restaurants across Japan due to its fresh and aromatic flavor.

Kocha

Kocha, Japanese Drink

Kocha is a darkly colored tea commonly found at Western-influenced restaurants and cafes. This tea is bold and full of flavor but finishes with slightly sweet notes that linger.

Jasmine Cha

Jasmine Cha, Japanese Drink

This beverage is also known as “sanpincha.” It is frequently enjoyed in Okinawa, Japan. Jasmine cha is made from a combination of green tea leaves and jasmine flowers and is sometimes made with an oolong tea base. Jasmine Cha offers a light and floral taste and can be found throughout Japan.

Mugicha

Mugicha, Japanese Drink

Made by steeping roasted barley seeds, this tea does not contain any tea in it. Mugicha is a caffeine-free beverage and is consumed just as much as regular teas in Japan. This “tea” is widely enjoyed by being served chilled on hot summer days. Mugicha boasts an almost coffee-like flavor and has nutty notes and aromas.

Kombucha

Kombucha, Japanese Drinks

Japanese kombucha is another type of “tea” that does not contain any tea products. This kombucha is made from dried kelp that has been ground into a fine powder. This tea’s individualistic and salty flavor is most often served as Ume kombucha and includes dried plums for a complex and distinctive taste.

Popular Non-Alcoholic Japanese Drinks

Japan offers an array of unique and fun beverages. The following drinks can commonly be found in vending machines and grocery stores. Read on to continue discovering the 28 most popular drinks in Japan:

Royal Milk

Royal Milk Tea, Japanese Drink

Japanese Royal Milk is a tea beverage with an emphasis on milk, commonly found in both vending machines and stores. These milk and tea beverages are sweetened and flavored with all sorts of unique flavors.

Canned Coffee

Can Coffee, Japanese Drinks

One of the most popular vending machine drinks- canned coffee, is available both hot and cold and in endless different varieties and flavors! Japan is the world leader in ready-to-drink coffee beverages and has mastered the art of creating an enjoyable coffee drink.

Yakult

Japanese Drink, Yakult

can be called the digestive drink. It was made to prevent digestive disorders such as diarrhea and constipation. Yakult also helps to strengthen the immune system, which helps to reduce infections.

Ramune (Japanese Drink With Marble)in Japan 2023

Japanese Marble Drink

This is a frizzy carbonated drink that is popular in Japan during summer. Ramune is delicious but it stands out among other drinks because of the design of its bottle, which is made of glass and carefully sealed with a marble top.

Japanese Marble Drink 2023: How to Open It

Corn Pottage

Corn Pottage, Japanese Drink

Served in a warm can, this beverage is made from sweetened corn and is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly Japanese day. There are many varieties of this popular product that are most commonly found in vending machines.

Oshiruko

Oshikoro, Japanese Drink

Another vending machine drink- these two drinks are served warmly in cans and are made primarily from red beans. Thick in consistency, these drinks also come in various flavors.

Calpis

Calpis, Japanese Drink

An extraordinarily popular drink among the Japanese, this beverage is made from water, nonfat milk, and lactic acid. Its flavor is almost like yogurt.

Pocari Sweat

Pocari Sweat, Japanese Drink

While this beverage may appear as nothing more than a plain bottle of water, this drink is designed to fight dehydration by including electrolytes in its composition and offers a refreshing flavor.

Aquarius Japanese Drink

Aquarius, Japanese Drink

Aquarius is a grapefruit-flavored sports drink that was created to compete against Pocari Sweat. It is a sports drink. Aquarius contains electrolytes and amino acids as the main ingredient. It is good for people concerned with relieving fatigue and maintaining health and beauty; making it popular in Japan.

Mitsuya Cider

Mitsuya Cider, Japanese Drink

This trendy Japanese drink is more soda-like than similar to cider. Mitsuya cider is a carbonated beverage that is refreshing and somewhat similar to Sprite if flavor.

Flavored Soy Milk

Flavored Soy Milk, Japanese Drink

Soy milk is made from soaking soybeans in water. In Japan it is commonly combined with other flavors, such as melon, strawberry and chocolate.

Non-Alcoholic Beer

Non- Alcoholic Beers, Japan

This drink allows consumers to enjoy all the flavors of a regular beer without any of the alcohol content that is present in typical beer.

Jelly Drinks

Jelly Drink, Japanese Drink

Served in pouch-type containers, these beverages come in eclectic fruity flavors. Often infused with added vitamins, minerals, and proteins, these drinks can be marketed to children and adults as a source of energy.

Vitamin Drinks

Vitamin Drink in Japan

These tasty Japanese beverages also come in diverse flavors but have large doses of added vitamins to help boost the immune system.

Collagen Drinks

Collagen Drink, Japanese Drink for Women

These specially formulated drinks boast a range of nutritional value to consumers. These drinks contain collagen protein and are offered in varied flavors to suit different tastes.

Koso Japanese Drinks

Koso, Japanese Drink

Koso drink is a Japanese fermented drink made by fermenting raw materials such as fruit and vegetables. “Koso” means “enzyme” in Japanese. The fermentation process produces enzymes, bacteria and microorganisms from the ingredients.

Koso drink is good for health because the nutrients of the drink are easily absorbed by enzymes during the digestion process.

Chanmery

Chanmery, Japanese Christmas Drink for Children

Chanmery is a celebratory drink for children that gives that champagne popping feeling. It is especially popular during Christmas, but it is also used to celebrate other special days

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Zunda Shake

Zunda Shake, Japanese Drinks

Zunda shake is a dessert drink made from grinding soybeans into a green sticky paste. It originated in the Tohoku region, so if you come to Tohoku and you are thirsty do try this sweet and delicious drink.

Boom Boom Lemon Japanese Drink 2023

Boom Boom Lemon, Japanese Drink

C.C. Lemon is the closest you can get a taste of Boom Boom Lemon like Kate. C.C. Lemon has been around since 1994. It is a refreshing, lemon drink. It is carbonated and packed with loads of vitamin C.

7 Must Try Japanese Alcohol Drinks 2023

Japan is home to several distinctive alcoholic beverages and offers drinkers a variety of choices. Continue reading to discover some of Japan’s most widely enjoyed alcoholic drinks:

Sake in Japan 2023

Japanese Drink, Sake

Made from fermented rice, sake is ubiquitous in Japan. Each region of Japan has specially crafted its own version of sake, and flavors between regions can vary.

Shochu in Japan 2023

Japanese Drink, Sochu

This alcoholic drink is made from distilled alcohol using ingredients such as rice, barley, sweet potatoes, or sugar cane. The flavor can be best described as earthy but clear. Sweet potato shochu is the most popular type of shochu in Japan!

Umeshu

Umeshu, Japanese Drink

Umeshu is a wine made from plums, and despite its high alcohol content, it is relatively easy to drink. This wine has a sweet flavor and is often served cold.

Strong Zero

Strong, Japanese Drink

Strong Zero is a chuhai (More about chuhais later),  a liquor made from potatoes, barley, or grains mixed with carbonated water and different flavors. They seem light but they have a strong kick. Drink too many and you will get drunk. Yes, Strong Zero will get you drunk. They are delicious though and they come in various fruit flavors like lemon, lime, grapefruit, and peach.

Highball Whiskey

Japanese Drink, Whiskey Highball

Often known as “Kaku-Highball,” this whisky is made from sparkling water. It is popular in bars for its likable flavor.

Chuhai

Chuhai, Japanese Drink

This drink can best be explained as a soda with a shochu base. Various fruity flavors such as pineapple, grape, and lemon make this alcoholic beverage very tasty. This drink is also commonly found in shops, vending machines, restaurants, and bars.

Awamori

Awaori, Japanese Drinks

Primarily found in Okinawa, Japan, this alcoholic beverage is made from distilled rice. Awamori is aged in clay pots and boasts a high alcohol content that increases as it ages.

Those Were The Most Popular Japanese Drinks

Japan has no shortage of exciting and unique Japanese drinks for people to experience. From delightful green teas to savory sake, Japan is home to a wide assortment of beverages that are enjoyed and celebrated. which will you try first? Feel free to share.