Top 6 Must-Try Drinks & Alcohol at Japanese Convenience Stores

Japan has a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. There are many Japanese alcoholic drinks such as Saawa, Highball, and Chuhai, and convenience stores sell a variety of alcoholic beverages. Among them, Horoyoi has become popular in Korea. Today, I would like to recommend some special convenience store alcoholic beverages and drinks that you can enjoy in Japan.

First, do you know the meaning of Chuhai (チューハイ)?
Simply put, Chuhai can be considered diluted shochu. Chuhai refers to shochu mixed with carbonated water, similar to a highball. It is said that Chuhai was created by combining "Chu" from the original pronunciation of 酎 in Shochu (焼酎, しょうちゅう) and "High" from Highball (ハイボール).

In the early days, people used to drink carbonated highballs by mixing a small amount of Japanese sake with carbonated water. It is said that Chuhai originated from this practice. Chuhai is easy to drink compared to other alcoholic beverages, and it comes in a variety of flavors, making it popular among many people. In particular, it is popular among those who don't drink well or women because of its low alcohol content and sweet taste with fruit flavors.

Since Chuhai often comes in sour flavors like lemon, lime, and grapefruit, it is also called Saawa. It is a word derived from the English word "sour." Saawa can be considered a cocktail made with citrus fruits, shochu, or other alcoholic beverages. Saawa can be seen as a concept derived from Chuhai.

To distinguish between the two, Chuhai is a mixture of shochu and carbonated water, while Saawa is a mixture of shochu, fruit juice, and carbonated water.

As you all know, a highball is a mixture of whiskey and carbonated water. Japanese highballs have become popular in Korea, and many pubs like Izakaya sell them. While Japanese highballs have little sugar in the carbonated water, allowing you to taste the original flavor of whiskey, Korean highballs tend to be sweeter. Therefore, Korean tourists may be surprised when they order a highball in Japan. In such cases, it's recommended to order a ginger highball or a sweeter alcoholic beverage.

How many beer brands sold in Japan do you recognize?
The most famous is Asahi (アサヒビール), known for its refreshing and crisp taste.

Besides Asahi, there are many other famous beer brands that we might not know. A prime example is Sapporo Beer (サッポロビール). One of the oldest breweries in Japan, it is characterized by its smooth taste and malty bitterness. It is said that the use of Hokkaido water gives the beer a unique flavor.

Next up is Kirin Ichiban (麒麟麦酒, キリンビール). Founded in Tokyo in 1870, it is the oldest alcoholic beverage company. It is characterized by its rich body and well-balanced malt flavor. Interestingly, Kirin refers to a mythical creature rather than the animal we know.

Ebisu Beer (ヱビスビール) is also a company under Sapporo. It's the fourth most popular brand after Asahi, Sapporo, and Kirin Ichiban. It was established in Tokyo in 1887. It is known for its smooth flavor, using European brewing techniques.

Finally, we have Orion Beer (オリオンビール).

Since 1957, Orion has been considered the representative local beer of Okinawa. It is said to have a clean, light, and slightly sweet taste. Using local ingredients, it is a popular beer both in Okinawa and internationally.

I think this introduction to popular Japanese alcoholic beverages and companies is sufficient for foreign tourists to have a basic understanding.
Now, let me introduce some convenience store drinks and alcoholic beverages that are either unique to Japan or particularly popular!

Asahi Super Dry Beer (approximately 210 yen)

This beer revived Asahi, which faced bankruptcy in the mid-1980s, and it has gained immense popularity in Korea as well. When you open a can of Asahi Super Dry Beer, you'll experience a rich head of foam and a refreshing taste. It has 136 kcal. In Japan, it is available at about half the price compared to overseas sales, making it perfect for those who love Asahi beer to enjoy during their trip to Japan.


Jack & Coke Highball (approximately 231 yen)

Are you familiar with Jack & Coke? It's a staple cocktail. In fact, about 40% of Jack Daniel's consumption involves mixing it with cola beverages like Coca-Cola. Jack & Coke Highball offers a convenient way to enjoy the taste of Jack Daniel's and cola in a can. It has 86 kcal per 100ml. The Coca-Cola Jack & Coke is currently only available in Japan among Asian countries, making it a rare Japanese convenience store drink that can only be enjoyed in Japan.

Sapporo Strong Lemon Saawa (approximately 105 yen)

Sapporo Brewery has a wide range of Saawa brands. Among them, I recommend the Strong Lemon Saawa (濃いめのレモンサワー). It offers a strong lemon flavor and a clean, not-too-sweet lemon sour taste. It has an alcohol content of around 7 degrees, which is not extremely low but moderate. It contains 44 kcal per 100 ml. Besides this product, they also offer a 4-degree Strong Lemon Saawa for younger drinkers and an Aged Lemon Saawa. They also sell concentrated liquid, so you can mix it with your favorite drink.


Suntory Tori Highball Suntory (approximately 160 yen)

Tori's Highball "Torihai" became popular in the 50s and 60s at the popular "Tori's Bar," making whiskey, previously unfamiliar, more accessible and contributing to the development of Japanese liquor culture. It's a well-known highball in Japan with a hint of lemon and a noticeable whiskey flavor. It has an alcohol content of about 7 degrees and 168 kcal. It's said to pair well with fried foods due to its clean taste. It's only sold in Japan, so it's a great choice for highball beginners to try!

R-1 Yogurt (approximately 144 yen)

Japan is famous for its dairy products. While prune juice is known in Korea for its laxative effects, R-1 Yogurt is well-known in Japan. If you experience digestive discomfort during your travels, purchasing and consuming this yogurt at a Japanese convenience store can provide relief. It is also said to help boost immunity, so feel free to try it at a convenience store!

Yuzu Lemonade Cider ゆずれもんサイダー　５００ｍｌ 100 yen (including tax 108 yen)

Finally, we have Yuzu Lemonade Cider. It's a cider that combines Japanese yuzu juice with lemon juice. It's not overly sweet and has a moderate carbonation, but the unique combination of yuzu and lemon creates a distinctive flavor. It also has only 36 kcal, making it a guilt-free beverage! It's very popular among Koreans and is a recommended drink at Japanese convenience stores. It's a delicious cider with a refreshing carbonation and a clean aftertaste.

This concludes our introduction to the top 6 must-try drinks and alcoholic beverages at Japanese convenience stores!