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Can't you just buy alcohol from a vending machine?

(Source: Bought a lot of alcohol from vending machines while I was in Japan. Never got asked for ID.)

I only saw a handful of alcohol vending machines when I was in Japan (2018). I heard a rumor they are being phased out.

EDIT: Found a source "In May 1995, to prevent underage drinking, the All Japan Liquor Merchants Association decided to eliminate outdoor alcohol vending machines, so it is now rare to encounter these machines outside." https://www.nippon.com/en/features/h00258/vending-machines-i...

Oh, this was in 2012 so they may have disappeared. Shame. :(

There are still some in the countryside, and small alleyways in the cities. I think there’s only one in my city.

In my experience, the vending machines near and in hotels, etc, did not require any form of ID. However, the random ones I found out on the street required you to have obtained an ID/Authorization card beforehand.

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