Alcohol Etiquette And Drinking Culture In Japan

Konnichiwa, dear reader! Today we take you to the Land of The Rising Sun, a.k.a. Nippon/Nihon, a.k.a. Japan. The East Asian country is famous for many things like their rich culture with tales of brave Samurais and ninjas (fictional and real), their super disciplined (and nearly back-breaking) work culture, anime and more. Another famous aspect of Japan revolves around drinking. From their indigenous sake, to other spirits that are quickly finding their way to Japanese bars and lips, let’s explore the Japanese drinking culture.

Japanese Drinking Culture

Drinking in Japan is less about getting buzzed and more of a celebratory gathering. Due to their strictness and disciplined lifestyles, Japanese workers often find it difficult to unwind and communicate openly with their colleagues. To remedy this, Japanese organizations like to partake in what is called “Nommunication”, where employees gather after a long day of work to relax and socialize (talk about a pro-drinking workplace).

Traditionally, these Nommunications involve drinking sake. However, Japan is showing a growing liking for other spirits as well in the form of Japanese whiskeys and beers. Apart from sake, Japanese bars are also the home to many indigenous spirits like shochu (a type of Japanese distilled spirit), Chuhai (a fruity, and alcoholic soda), and umeshu (a plum wine).

The word Nommunication is a mix of the Japanese word “Nomikai”, which means “a gathering to drink”, and communication, which is the ultimate goal of such an occasion. Alcohol serves as a social lubricant to help people relax and get to know each other better. These events can be further divided into types, based on the purpose they intend to serve. Here’s a list of the various Nommunication events that Japan gets down to:

• Bounenkani: This is an end of the year party. The name translates to “forget the year party”. Colleagues get together and celebrate their organization’s and their own accomplishments throughout the year.
• Joshikai: The Joshikai is the Japanese equivalent of the “working girls’ night out”. This is an all-female event that intends to bring together the women of the workplace.
• Settai: Settai is a business event that intends to serve as a mixer for new or existing business associations and partnerships. The name translates to “business entertainment”.
• Kangeikai: Kangeikai is a welcome party for teachers in Japan. These Nommunication events usually contain good food, drinking, and speeches.
• Soubetsukai: Another teacher-specific event, the Soubetsukai is a “going away” party for retiring professors or teachers.

Also Read: Difference Between Sake, Soju, And Shochu

Dos And Don’ts When Drinking In Japan

While drinking in Japan is all about letting your hair down and unwinding, one must remember that Japanese culture is deeply rooted in discipline. This is why, even a social event such as drinking alcohol has certain protocols in place. So if you plan on visiting Japan and are looking to indulge in a little drinking, you should be aware of certain rules to avoid appearing rude in a foreign land.

There is hierarchy to be observed, and in case of a workplace get-together, it resembles the organizational structure. Bosses command respect, peers and juniors are to be regarded with warmth. For family events, the elders take the place of the bosses, while the siblings and the next generations are equivalent to the peers and juniors.

Knowing about this hierarchy is important during toasting, as your position there decides how high you raise your glass. Your glass should never be higher than that of your seniors/superiors’. Japan’s toasting phrase is “Kanpai”, which means “dry cup” and is similar to “bottoms up”. So when the crowd goes, “Kanpai!” down the first drink, and finish your cup with everyone present. Taking a smaller sip is allowed in case the choice of alcohol is beer (no need to chug a mug, and burp up a storm).

Apart from these toasting rules, here are a few dos and don’ts to drinking in Japan.

Also Read: 5 Cocktail Recipes By Hiro Sake

Dos Of Drinking In Japan

1. Enjoy yourself, mingle with the people present, and have fun.
2. Pour drinks for the people sitting within your reach. It is common for people to refuse politely the first few times. Insist on pouring for them a couple of times, and if they still refuse, that is when you stop trying.
3. Acknowledge the person pouring your drink. It is customary to hold the cup or glass that your drink is being poured into with both hands, as a sign of respect.
4. Wait for everyone to take the first sip of your drink.
5. Do order the same as everyone in the party, but try out the variety of spirits that Japan has to offer.
6. Eat snacks with your drinks. Local foods like squid, edamame, and rice crackers pair well with a cup of sake.

Don’ts Of Drinking In Japan

1. Start drinking before everyone else. Wait for everyone to have a drink ready, let there be a toast, and take the first drink with everyone, and not before.
2. Be a rabble rouser. Japanese culture is strongly centered around discipline, and causing a ruckus because you can’t handle your alcohol is seriously frowned upon.
3. Throw up, urinate, or leave a mess anywhere. The Japanese penchant for discipline is reflected in their clean streets. Don’t be the tourist that leaves a nasty souvenir. If you have any rubbish, find a trash can, or hold on to it until you find one.
4. Pour your own drink. Pouring drinks is something done to others, not yourself. If you have an empty cup and would like a refill, find someone in a similar situation, pour a drink for them, and they will reciprocate.
5. Be late to the gathering. The Japanese are notorious about their punctuality, and tardiness could lead to your hosts worrying about you, or you leaving a poor first impression. Normally people meet at the spot 10 minutes before the stipulated time, so sync your time, but don’t sink theirs.

Also Read: 5 Cocktail Recipes By Hiro Sake

Summing Up

Before we wind up the blog, here’s a hack for you when you want to stop drinking. Not wanting to drink after a certain point is not considered rude, and knowing when to stop is better than embarrassing yourself. It’s also not rude to leave a full cup when you want to stop drinking. When people notice the drink in your cup not going down, they’ll get the signal that you’re done for the night.

Despite being more about relaxing and socializing, drinking in not only Japan, but anywhere on the planet has an innate culture and protocol. Following the protocol will not only lead to a more amicable experience, it will also lead to one more authentic and true to their culture.

FAQs

What Is The Etiquette For Drinking In Japan?

One of the most concrete and well known rules in Japanese drinking etiquette is to never pour your own drink. Pour drinks for people within your reach, and when someone fills your cup, hold it with both hands as a sign of acknowledgment and respect.

What Is The Japanese Drinking Culture?

In Japan, alcohol is not just a beverage, but a cultural phenomenon. Drinking alcohol is a means to socialize and even encouraged by workplaces as a way to bring fraternity to the workforce.

What Is The Alcohol Rule In Japan?

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years. If you are visiting the country, it is a good idea to not test this law, as it might lead to imprisonment or being deported.

What Is The Attitude To Alcohol In Japan?

Drinking is seen as a cultural and social phenomenon in Japan that fosters togetherness and honesty. This helps act as a counterbalance to the strict appearance of Japanese society.

How Strict Is Japan On Drinking?

Japanese laws on consumption of alcohol openly are pretty lax. There are no laws that prohibit carrying and drinking alcohol publicly. However, you may get in trouble for disorderly behavior.

What Is Japan’s National Drink?

Japan’s national drink is sake, which is a form of rice wine. Japan has an extensive network of sake breweries that use local ingredients to make the indigenous wine.

What Is Japan’s Favorite Alcohol?

Although Japan’s national drink is sake, the Japanese population partakes in multiple forms of alcoholic beverages. Some of the more popular choices include, Japanese beer and whiskey, Shochu, Chuhai, and Umeshu.