{"id":15897,"date":"2024-01-17T08:01:24","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T13:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dryatlas.com\/staging\/?p=15897"},"modified":"2024-01-24T21:39:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T02:39:34","slug":"japan-a-surprising-non-alc-haven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dryatlas.com\/staging\/articles\/japan-a-surprising-non-alc-haven\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan: A Surprising Non-Alc Haven"},"content":{"rendered":"

During our month-long journey through Japan, Douglas and I braced ourselves for the famed drinking culture synonymous with the country’s office workers. We anticipated an environment where alcohol played a central role in all gatherings, and where non-alc options were few and far between. While <\/span>our experience in Hong Kong<\/span><\/a><\/span> was somewhat closer to that picture, Japan revealed a surprisingly diverse drinking culture, one where alcohol alternatives were not just present but abundant and varied.<\/span><\/p>\n

From bustling city centers to quiet neighborhood streets, we discovered a plethora of non-alc spirits, wines, and beers in unexpected places. Convenience stores like 7\/11 and local grocers were treasure troves of choices. Most prevalent were non-alcoholic beers from popular brands like <\/span>Asahi<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>Kirin<\/span><\/a><\/span>, and <\/span>Suntory<\/span><\/a><\/span>. We also saw an array of ready-to-drink options from Suntory, from <\/span>non-alc cocktails<\/span><\/a><\/span> to their \u201c<\/span>Chilling<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u201d line of GABA and L-theanine-powered relaxation beverages (not to be confused with <\/span>Chill Out<\/span><\/span><\/a>, a GABA beverage with hemp seed extract via Coca-Cola Japan). Adjacent to these non-alcoholic options, we also found a wide selection of low ABV beverages, like Suntory’s 3% ABV Horoyoi Cocktail Peach. That quickly became a favorite of mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Suntory launched its Chilling line in May 2023<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Beyond the aisles of 7\/11, one of our standout experiences in Tokyo was a visit to Shibuya\u2019s <\/span>SUMADORI Bar<\/span><\/a><\/span>, an establishment that epitomizes <\/span>ABV optionality<\/span><\/a><\/span>. We located this one on <\/span>Zero Proof Nation\u2019s Global Map<\/span><\/span><\/a>, which tracks non-alc bars and retailers worldwide. At SUMADORI, you can choose from over 100 types of drinks, with the ability to select your desired alcohol content for all of them (0%, 0.5%, or 3% ABV). The flexibility and creativity was remarkable. We indulged in a few 0% ABV cocktails and sampled a flight of whiskeys at each ABV level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another memorable stop in Tokyo was the <\/span>Low Alcoholic Cafe MARUKU<\/span><\/span><\/a>, nestled in the Meguro City neighborhood. This quaint cafe stood out with its selection of non-alcoholic beverages sourced from Europe, the US, and beyond. MARUKU\u2019s owners were kind enough to open early just for Douglas and me, and we enjoyed <\/span>Tanqueray 0.0<\/span><\/a><\/span> cocktails and <\/span>Bravus Oatmeal Stouts<\/span><\/a><\/span> as we learned more about the cafe\u2019s origins (via heavy use of our Google Translate app). The cafe’s relaxing atmosphere and diverse offerings make it a perfect spot for those seeking a different kind of drinking experience in busy Tokyo.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Low Alcoholic Cafe MARUKU in Tokyo\u2019s Meguro City neighborhood<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Japan’s non-alcoholic scene was a surprise, challenging my preconceived notions and offering a diverse palette for all types of drinkers. It reflects a broader shift in drinking habits and consumer preferences worldwide, indicative of the increasingly <\/span>blurred line between alcoholic and non-alcoholic options<\/span><\/a><\/span>. Japan, ever innovating, is an exciting landscape for those who want to explore the best of non-alc culture abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more from Victoria, follow her on TikTok<\/a><\/span> and Instagram<\/span><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dry Atlas is a media company focused on alcohol alternatives. We deliver non-alc insights, news, and recs to over five million people annually. To stay up to date on all things non-alc, subscribe to our weekly newsletter<\/span><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During our month-long journey through Japan, Douglas and I braced ourselves for the famed drinking culture synonymous with the country’s office workers. We anticipated an environment where alcohol played a central role in all gatherings, and where non-alc options were few and far between. While our experience in Hong Kong was somewhat closer to that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":15896,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[216],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture"],"yoast_head":"\nJapan: A Surprising Non-Alc Haven<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore Japan's diverse non-alcoholic culture. From 7-Eleven treasures to Shibuya's Sumadori Bar, discover a surprising palette of options in bustling Tokyo. 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