Underage drinking

[daniel_san]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the deal is if a Gaijin who is on holiday is caught drinking underage? I know bars are pretty relaxed on the ID side of things, but what would happen if the cops somehow caught you?

[paulh]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the deal is if a Gaijin who is on holiday is caught drinking underage? I know bars are pretty relaxed on the ID side of things, but what would happen if the cops somehow caught you?


The drinking laws apply to everyone, not just Japanese. You could plead ignorant and pretend not to speak Japanese and they might let you off. Worse that can happen is you get a citation or a ticket for underage drinking. the bar would probably get hit with a stiff fine and lose its pub licence.

[CLOWNPUNCHER]

The drinking laws apply to everyone, not just Japanese. You could plead ignorant and pretend not to speak Japanese and they might let you off. Worse that can happen is you get a citation or a ticket for underage drinking. the bar would probably get hit with a stiff fine and lose its pub licence.


He or she isn't going to get caught and you know it Paul.

This isn't OZ or NZ where they are so anal about drinking underage.

[Animus]

they never check... you are fine....... 0.00001% chance of getting caught

[paulh]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the deal is if a Gaijin who is on holiday is caught drinking underage? I know bars are pretty relaxed on the ID side of things, but what would happen if the cops somehow caught you?


Just dont drink and drive, chances of getting caught by cops are high and you will be royally screwed. the fine for DUI in Japan is 300,000 yen.

[kurogane]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the deal is if a Gaijin who is on holiday is caught drinking underage? I know bars are pretty relaxed on the ID side of things, but what would happen if the cops somehow caught you?

Mr. Miyagi would kick your sorry Macchio ___ for being stoopid enough to let Japanese cops give a ____ enough about underage drinking to bother to bust you.

:p

Fear not, Daniel-san, for to drink underage is not, but to be busted is also more not.

Wax off.

[vallient]

Well its not likely to happen that youd get busted. Your more likely to get kicked out of the club for being a drunk ___ then busted by the cops for underage drinking, UNLESS your one of those people who looks really, really young. I knew this guy who looked 14 and he was really 26. Finally, dont be publicly intoxicated and holding a Sapporo as you wave at a dozen cops.

Vallient

[kurogane]

Well its not likely to happen that youd get busted. Your more likely to get kicked out of the club for being a drunk ___ then busted by the cops for underage drinking, UNLESS your one of those people who looks really, really young. I knew this guy who looked 14 and he was really 26. Finally, dont be publicly intoxicated and holding a Sapporo as you wave at a dozen cops.

Vallient

Yup. What this man says. When I first got here, I looked about 17 (I was out of Uni). I never had any hassle from anyone, because I drink, get happy, no problem.

Don't worry your underaged head about it!

[Ben240]

I've been worrying a little about the same thing. I'll be in Tokyo next month.

All my J-friends assured me that there's nothing to worry about, though... They told me that if a cop stops us, they'll tell him I'm 21 (I'm actually 19). Then, they said that I should play dumb and act a little offended that he'd stop us.

But, they stressed that this would probably never happen.

I'll hope for the best!

[diva]

Whilst the law states that you have to be 20 to drink in Japan it is pretty much accepted that 18 year olds can drink.

A 19 year old gaijin will have NO problems drinking here unless, of course, he/she gets so madly drunk that they do something crazy and the police have to be called out.

Even then, the police would probably just tell them to go home.

[Ben240]

Man, I wish the cops here were like that... One guy on the forum was telling me how I can "only get drunk in Tokyo if I pass out..." Then, he emphasized that people don't get normally get arrested for that! I thought maybe that was a stretch, but you guys and my Japanse friends from school have been telling me not to worry about anything.

I've NEVER passed out (gotten sleepy, but that was due to the time, not the drinks). And... I've never done anything crazy. Nothing I wouldn't do sober! :P And, I've been extremely drunk before.

I live in a small town right now, and the cops have nothing better to do than to go nuts over underage drinking (and speeding tickets).

[User Name Deleted]

It's highly unlikely to be a problem. I've never seen anyone being IDed at a bar anywhere in Japan.

[richard]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the deal is if a Gaijin who is on holiday is caught drinking underage? I know bars are pretty relaxed on the ID side of things, but what would happen if the cops somehow caught you?

Japan is not like other countries and even though there are signs here and there about one being 20 in order to drink, it is generally not enforced. So I'd say not to worry about it. Driving, on the other hand is another story, and while you did not indicate this in your post, I would asume thatyou were not thinking about driving.

Anyway most places turn a blind eye to underage drinking and I daresay the the cops would just give you a warning should you be stopped. Not to worry about it so much though.

[paulh]

I live in a small town right now, and the cops have nothing better to do than to go nuts over underage drinking (and speeding tickets).


The only way you will get cops out of their koban (police box) is if you go postal and kill someone or do something stupid like 3 guys did last week and try and kidnap a rich mummy's girl in broad daylight.

Cops leave you alone here but if you drink and drive your arse is toast.

[B1-B2]

Oh, to be 19 again. Then again, I was too crazy at that age.

[Ewok]

It's highly unlikely to be a problem. I've never seen anyone being IDed at a bar anywhere in Japan.

Clubs in Shibuya are getting strict with this now, they let me through (asked for ID and said I didnt have it, cant be arsed) but wouldn't let my GF in at one place without ID as he didn't think she was older than 20.

[Morning Star]

Clubs in Shibuya are getting strict with this now, they let me through (asked for ID and said I didnt have it, cant be arsed) but wouldn't let my GF in at one place without ID as he didn't think she was older than 20.
I've got a funny feeling that it's just a bit of discimination against foreigners with Japanese girlfriends. They tried to do that to my 39 year-old g/f at a WaraWara izakaya and she went ____ing crazy on them. She'd never been carded in her entire life in Japan and she rightly took it as an insult. The staff ended up doing the "I'm so sorry, it's just policy, excuse me" thing and showing us to our table. No ID check.

Other than that, never been carded except at clubs a few times but if you want to drink you can go to a vending machine and grab a 750ml bottle of the Nikka Black.

[Ewok]

I've got a funny feeling that it's just a bit of discimination against foreigners with Japanese girlfriends.

Possibly, but everyone in the line infront of us got the same treatment, people pulling out wallets and cards, showing them to the bouncers, and someone else got turned away too (rather long line that night).

[kurogane]

I've got a funny feeling that it's just a bit of discimination against foreigners with Japanese girlfriends. .

Well, in my case, they might have a good reason to check if she is of age, but at Kyoto clubs, they are much stricter on Japanese couples and groups than mixed couples or groups.

[somethingthing]

this (probably american, by his accent in english) arabic dude just went absolutely apeshit on the police trying to stop him for drinking and driving, started pulling the race card and pushing and screaming, and all 7 cops walked away (behind my girl and i actually)...

the dude even approached us, and the cops did nothing. unbelievable. luckily he just wanted to illustrate the "proper way of dealing with these bitches" to us, and not fight, cause i felt rather hung out to dry by the cops.

[銕不死身]

this (probably american, by his accent in english) arabic dude just went absolutely apeshit on the police trying to stop him for drinking and driving, started pulling the race card and pushing and screaming, and all 7 cops walked away (behind my girl and i actually)...

the dude even approached us, and the cops did nothing. unbelievable. luckily he just wanted to illustrate the "proper way of dealing with these bitches" to us, and not fight, cause i felt rather hung out to dry by the cops.

We need more Israeli soldiers around to deal with those bitches.

Having said that, are you sure it wasn't person's new BF?

Or maybe just a Danish guy with a tan?

[emkay1347]

So it's an okay for a bar type enviroment.
What about entering a club?
I hear they ID for clubbing though.

[thickmick]

Your more likely to get kicked out of the club for being a drunk ___ then busted by the cops for underage drinking, UNLESS your one of those people who looks really, really young. I knew this guy who looked 14 and he was really 26. .

So you know Raplh macchio too.

[Booker]

So it's an okay for a bar type enviroment.
What about entering a club?
I hear they ID for clubbing though.
in my experience....no. you could be wearing a highschooler's uniform and they'd still let you in.

[in.between]

Man, I wish the cops here were like that... One guy on the forum was telling me how I can "only get drunk in Tokyo if I pass out..." Then, he emphasized that people don't get normally get arrested for that! I thought maybe that was a stretch, but you guys and my Japanse friends from school have been telling me not to worry about anything.

I've NEVER passed out (gotten sleepy, but that was due to the time, not the drinks). And... I've never done anything crazy. Nothing I wouldn't do sober! :P And, I've been extremely drunk before.

I live in a small town right now, and the cops have nothing better to do than to go nuts over underage drinking (and speeding tickets).


but then again have you been to japan?

i never passed out in public until coming to japan.

things can get out of hand real quick when drinking in japan.

have fun!

[in.between]

they only really card at nightclubs. basically they try to find a way to bust a club where illicit activity is going on.


they sometimes enforce the no dancing after midnight law at bars and clubs to harrass the establishments.

[Ben240]

OK, I`ve been here for almost 3 weeks and I`ve partaken of the potion (at least a little) most nights. No trouble buying, whether at a convenience store or restaurant. However, I quickly realized that the 24hr convenience stores are the cheapest way to get sloppy drunk.

Haven`t been to a bar yet, but I will soon. Don`t think I want to go clubbing in the few days that I have left.

In-between, you`re going to be disappointed, but I haven`t passed out on the street yet. I DID, however, hang out and hit on a bunch of Ganguro girls... on multiple occassions. Why do they always seem like the best choices when I`m drunk! Gah, talk about loss of judgment!

Hey, and you can`t be too pissed since you`re not taking me under your wing, sensei. :)

[paulsomething1]

I was once at a house party with 16-18 year olds, no adults. When the neighbors called the cops, half of us freaked and ran away. It took a 10 minute conversation with the police from one of my japanese friends, and they eventually just left, when it was pretty clear this party was full of underage kids with tobacco and alcohol.

My friend was stopped by the police once on the street with alcohol (underage), he was also just sent home (escorted by the police). And such occurrences are rare as well.
You are even less likely to get problems with police at a club or bar (although you may get carded; the worst that could happen there is that you would be turned away). I've only been carded once or twice in convenience stores and supermarkets; usually they don't question you at all.

Their lax approach on underage drinking is funny, because of their very strict stance on drug offenses (though, maybe this isn't so strange...)

[Jerimiah Beam]

This thread is 5 years old. I think daniel-san is legal now.

[speedboat]

This thread is 5 years old. I think daniel-san is legal now.

...or dead...

One of the two.

[Autokarma]

...or dead...

One of the two.

LoL classic mate