Popular Japanese Drinks You Must Try
Beverages in Japan are not in short supply. In fact, there's plenty on offer, whether you're popping into your local konbini or sitting down at a traditional teahouse.
Whatever the experience, you're in for a treat when it comes to drinking in Japan.
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Japanese Soft Drinks
The soft drink market in Japan is huge. With the amount of vending machines on literally every corner (which shocked us), this isn't surprising. But with huge demand, there's bound to be some interesting beverages on offer. So, let's see what we've found…
Ramune
Even if you've never tried it, you've probably heard of the Japanese soda sealed with a marble at the top. That's Ramune. When opened, the marble drops into the drink and it begins to fizz. For this reason, it's very popular with children and was a mainstay in our childhoods!
Ramune comes in a variety of flavours such as grape, melon, strawberry, and of course the original lemon-lime flavour, which is almost like lemonade. Sweet, fun and refreshing, Ramune is worth a try!
Melon soda
Melon soda is everywhere in Japan. Many different branded soft drinks include melon-flavoured options and you can even find it at popular fast food restaurants. Now, you might be thinking "melon flavoured soda? Absolutely not!", and we wouldn't blame you except for the fact that it's actually really good! Trust us and pick up a bottle or can if you come across it. You won't be disappointed.
Pocari Sweat
Despite the unfortunate name, Pocari Sweat is something of a superstar drink in Japan. You can find it in any konbini or in vending machines across the country. It's a Japanese energy drink that is pumped full of ions and electrolytes to keep you energised and hydrated!
It's definitely been a saviour on many long walks or after an intense workout, especially in the summer heat. Pocari Sweat is easily the most refreshing energy drink we've tried.
Calpis
Another drink that doesn't sound appetising but is actually surprisingly refreshing, Calpis is a must-try for anyone in Japan. It's a non-carbonated soft drink that has a sweet and milky flavour not too dissimilar to yoghurt, but much more refreshing.
Because it's made using fermented dairy, it's also considered to be Japan's secret to good gut health (along with the much-loved Yakult). We'll let you be the judge of that, but either way, it's worth a try.
Its Korean cousin, Milkis, is a carbonated version very similar to Calpis and can also be found in stores across the country.
Japanese Green Tea
Japanese tea is a central part of Japanese life for many. You might not be surprised to learn that most of the tea drunk in Japan is some form of green tea. From the powdered matcha that is making its way around the globe, to the lesser-known varieties of sencha or hojicha, there's something everyone will enjoy.
There are supposedly a lot of health benefits that come from drinking green tea, so it's not surprising that Japanese people swear by it. We simply love it to unwind or relax.
Matcha
A fine, bright green powder made from the same green tea leaves as gyokuro, matcha is commonly found in most coffee shops in both Asia and the West. It's become a bit of a phenomenon and rightfully so!
Matcha, when made properly, is a sweet but slightly grassy tea that might be a touch bitter when you first begin drinking it. If you're looking to try it for the first time, we recommend a sweet iced latte before taking on the stronger stuff. We find it a soothing, slightly sweet drink!
Matcha can be a bit hit-or-miss in Western coffee shops, but it's worth persevering and finding the one for you.
Hojicha
Hojicha, also spelt houjicha, literally means "roasted green tea" and is one of the newer green teas on the Japanese market. Still, its unique method of roasting the leaves over charcoal gives it a unique flavour that's absolutely worth a try.
It's a sweeter green tea than the other varieties we'll introduce, so it's a great starting point for those who prefer the sweet things in life. And, because it's roasted, it also has a lower caffeine content! You can also find many forms of hojicha including iced lattes, smoothies and even ice cream.
Sencha
If you visit a Japanese household, Sencha is almost certainly the type of tea you'll be served. It's the most popular, the most consumed, and the most produced. It's got a good reputation, to say the least.
Steamed and then dried to perfection, sencha has a refreshing grassy taste with just a hint of bitterness.
Other Japanese beverages you must try
There's more to Japanese drinks than just soft drinks and tea. Here are more of our favourites:
Yakult
Yakult is not a stranger to the UK - it's been around for as long as we can remember. But in Japan, it's a completely new world for Yakult enjoyers.
For those who haven't encountered Yakult before, it's a sweetened probiotic milk drink that claims to be great for your gut. But, in Japan, Yakult goes far beyond a simple yoghurt drink. We found many different variations, including fizzy variants you've probably never tried before!
Canned Coffee
A miracle beverage found in convenience stores and vending machines alike, you'll be hard-pressed to go without coffee in Japan. Not only can you get some deliciously cool cans of black or milk coffee, but you can also get hot cans when the snow begins to fall. It's the best of both worlds and the coffee is pretty good too.
There are plenty of varieties of canned coffee to choose from, so until you find your favourite, we encourage you to try as many as you can.
Jelly drink
Another common drink in Japan is the flavoured jelly drinks they have to offer. Although often found in children's lunch boxes, it's perfectly refreshing at any age. And with the amount of flavours they have, many of which taste just like real fruit, it's worth picking one up.
Final Word
Japan has a wide variety of beverages to choose from and some of the most popular Asian drinks. Both delicious and refreshing, they're definitely worth trying. So, when you find yourself in Japan, hit up a vending machine and go wild! But until then, consider checking out our selection of Japanese drinks.
