When traveling to Japan, one question that may bother many people is: Is Japanese tap water directly drinkable? The answer to this question is YES.
But Japafans may have heard rumors that Japanese people don’t drink tap water, and that tap water in Tokyo is not drinkable, etc.
In this article, we will introduce readers to the water supply system in Japan, and also the question that concerns all of us, namely: “Can I drink tap water in Japan? Why is it drinkable?” and the answer to the question, “Is Japanese tap water drinkable?
Is it true that tap water in Japan can be drunk directly?
We’re sure we all remember how Sakuragi Hanamichi, the main character of “Slam Dunk”, was seen quenching his thirst and drinking tap water from the faucet in the Opening Anime. In fact, it is true that tap water in Japan is of good quality and can be drunk directly from the tap.
Thanks to Japan’s Waterworks Act, which sets strict water quality standards that ensure that long-term consumption of tap water will not harm human health. Therefore, just by turning on the tap, you can easily get tap water that you can drink without worry.
When living in Tokyo, there are always staff from the Waterworks Bureau checking the water quality in the water pipes in my house, and they take great care to ensure that the pipes and the water quality are suitable for drinking in this city.
So in conclusion, there is no problem for you to drink directly from the tap while in Japan.
Also Read: Why can Japanese eggs be eaten raw?
Does tap water affect your health?
Globally, Japan is one of the few countries where tap water can be drunk straight from the tap. However, while tap water in Japan is safe to drink, you may have heard rumors that some Japanese people do not drink tap water or object to its taste.
It is true that while the quality of tap water in Japan is safe, the taste and quality may vary depending on weather conditions or the condition of the pipelines in different areas. Some people may be sensitive to the smell of sterilized water. Or may be psychologically affected by the unclean environment at the tap outlet, which may lead to the inadmissibility of drinking tap water directly.
However, the taste of tap water in Japan has improved dramatically in recent years, and some areas even advertise the delicious taste of their water.
For example, Tokyo has been promoting the quality of tap water that they are proud of by using Biotek bottled tap water. However, it must be said that the taste of tap water may vary depending on the region and the plumbing equipment.
Japanese households with higher quality of life standards often use water purifiers to remove residual chlorine and impurities from the water, making it clearer and more palatable. While another option is to install a water purifier, which further electrolyzes the water after purification to produce weakly alkaline water containing hydantoin.
No problem if you come to Japan and drink tap water
So when Japafans travel to Japan, you don’t have to worry about whether you can drink tap water directly. But whether tap water is good or not may vary from person to person. To be sure, Japan’s water quality management system ensures the safety and suitability of tap water.
Drinking tap water is not only environmentally friendly, but also saves you the cost of purchasing bottled water. The next time you travel to Japan, you might want to try drinking tap water directly to experience the benefits of Japan’s excellent water quality management! Of course, we should also remind you that if you really feel that it tastes different or don’t like the taste of tap water, don’t force yourself to drink it.
