Japan

LATEST JAPANESE CANS

The cans on the following pages are from my last two trips to Japan, on each trip I travelled about 7000 miles around Japan, from Nagasaki to Otaru, in the search for new cans. I also attended the Beer Can Collectors of Japan Spring Trade Show in Tokyo. Click on the links on the right for pictures of recent and current Japanese cans.

THE JAPANESE CAN MARKET

There is no getting away from it; beer in Japan is expensive. The average price for a 350ml can of Japanese beer is Y230 (about $2.30/£1.20). Some of the microbrewery cans are as much as Y600 ($6.00/£3.20) for 330ml. In many cases imported beer is cheaper. Some U.S. and Canadian imports are as low as Y98 ($1.00/£0.55) for a 350ml can.

Beer in Japan is sold in liquor stores, department stores, train station kiosks and on inter-city trains, vending machines and at many convenience stores. As many convenience stores are open 24 hours means you can by canned beer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Department stores are a good place to look for microbrewery cans, although some chains are better than others. Hankyu is a good bet, Mitsukoshi is not.

Several of the Japanese microbrewery brands are only available locally to the brewery, commemorative cans are also usually regional, sometimes being available only in one town or city. I’ve listed the city/area where some of these cans can be found. Since my last visit the regional brands from the big four breweries seem to have disappeared and some of the supposedly national brands like Kirin Bock have become regional in availability.

One other interesting thing about the Japanese beer can market is the sample can. Usually 135ml or 250ml in size, these cans are often used to introduce a new product and are recognisable by the lack of a UPC and have some kind of legend on the back of the can. These cans are not for sale and usually are only available with the purchase of a six pack or case of beer.

[BEER CAN NEWS]
[COUNTRIES]
[CANS Vs BOTTLES]
[PARTY CAN NEWS]
[BEER CAN HISTORY]
[COLLECTING CANS]
[UK ARCHIVES]
[OCOC]
[RARE ITEM]
[EVENTS]
[LINKS]