Don't Just Pick Any Water at a Japanese Convenience Store—You'll Regret It (A Story of a Mistake)

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, I was hit by Japan’s uniquely muggy air. During the short walk to my lodging, dragging my suitcase, sweat was already trickling down my back, and my throat was parched. Mesmerized by the lights of a convenience store that appeared like an oasis in the desert, I went inside and headed straight for the bottled water section without even looking at anything else. But what greeted me wasn’t a refreshing bottle of water—it was a barrage of perplexing questions.

What unfolded before my eyes was truly a “wall of water.” Isn’t the liquid in those clear plastic bottles all just water? From familiar brands like “SUNTORY” and “KIRIN” written in the Latin alphabet to unfamiliar labels filled solely with hiragana and kanji. The sight of dozens of seemingly identical clear bottles lined up in neat rows was more than just a spectacular view—it was downright intimidating. Some were labeled “天然水” (natural water), while others bore the ominous Chinese characters for “強炭酸” (strong carbonation).

My mind was racing, and my thirst had reached its peak. “Oh, what the heck,” I thought, and grabbed a bottle of water with a blue label—it looked the coolest. Isn’t blue usually a symbol of “coolness” and “purity”? The picture of a mountain on the label convinced me, “This must definitely be clean spring water.” But I should have realized something was off the moment I heard a “hiss” as I finished paying and opened the cap.

I was so thirsty that I didn’t think much of it and took a sip—but the moment I did, “Yikes!” The powerful fizz not only stung my throat but felt like it was piercing it, causing me to choke and burst into a coughing fit. What I wanted was cool bottled water to quench my thirst, not sparkling water that would jolt me awake. And so, my first Water from Japanese convenience stores The purchase turned out to be a total failure. I never dreamed that this small setback would mark the beginning of my “study of water” that was yet to come.

The Maze of the Bottled Water Aisle: What on Earth Should I Buy?

Ever since that failure, I’ve developed a habit of never being able to just walk past the bottled water section at convenience stores. What on earth makes it so different?

As it turned out, water in Japan could be broadly divided into two types. Namely, Hard WaterWow Soft Water. Water is classified based on its mineral content—such as calcium and magnesium—which is dissolved in the water, and this is what creates the difference in taste. Since most water in Korea is soft water, we are much more accustomed to soft water, which has a smooth and clean taste. Most bottled waters produced in Japan—such as well-known brands like Suntory’s “Natural Water (天然水)” and Coca-Cola’s “I LOHAS”—are classified as soft water. Perhaps that’s why, when you drink them, you feel no resistance and think, “Ah, this is the taste of water we’re familiar with.”

Hard water, on the other hand, has a high mineral content, giving it a slightly heavy and unique taste. “Evian,” a French brand commonly found at convenience stores, is a prime example of hard water. While some people deliberately seek out hard water for health reasons, others may find it slightly fishy or earthy when they first try it. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Japan is a country rich in high-quality soft water due to its volcanic terrain, so if you don’t want to take any risks, choosing a Japanese brand is the safest bet.

Wasn't this water just plain water?

Did you think it would be over just by distinguishing between Kyung-soo and Yeon-soo? Not a chance. The real surprise was something else entirely. Just as I took a refreshing gulp to quench my thirst and was startled by the carbonation bursting in my mouth—almost choking on it—I even felt a sense of betrayal.

Japanese convenience stores offer a much wider variety than those in Korea Sparkling WaterThere is one problem, though: the design of some sparkling water bottles is very similar to that of regular bottled water. If, like me, you’re not familiar with Japanese and approach it with the simple equation “blue label = refreshing water,” you’re likely in for a shocking experience. Take a close look at the label. If it clearly says “炭酸水 (sparkling water)” or has the English word “SPARKLING” on it, that’s sparkling water.

In particular, it’s easy to let your guard down when brands like “Suntory Natural Water” or “Irohas” display both their still and sparkling water lines side by side. In such cases, keeping the following guidelines in mind can significantly reduce your chances of making a mistake.

Is it safe as long as you avoid sparkling water? There’s still one more thing to watch out for. Clear water with pictures of peaches, apples, and tangerines—that’s right, Flavored Water (フレーバーウォーター)For example, the “Irohas” series is a prime example—it looks like perfect bottled water, but as soon as you take a sip, you’re hit with a bland, fruit-juice-like sweetness that’s quite disconcerting. If you want pure water, it’s best to avoid products with fruit illustrations. If you see hiragana characters like “もも” (momo, peach) or “みかん” (mikan, tangerine) on the label, you can be certain it’s flavored water.

Practical Tips for Travelers

I’ll share the surest way to choose “real water” without fail, while avoiding the pitfalls of sparkling water and flavored water. You’ll never have to spend more than five minutes agonizing in front of the fridge again. The key lies in two keywords on the label.

The safest option is to check the label "Natural Water" Or 'Natural Mineral Water (Natural Mineral Water)'Choose the one that says that. If both of these phrases are present, there’s a 99% chance it’s the regular bottled water we’re looking for. In particular, you can trust the brands listed below—they’re well-known for producing soft water that suits Korean tastes perfectly.

If you want to save even a little on travel expenses, convenience store private-label (PB) products are a great alternative. Seven-Eleven’s “Seven Premium,” FamilyMart’s “FamilyMart Collection,” and Lawson’s “Lawson Select” bottled water typically cost around 100 yen—about 20 to 30 yen cheaper than well-known brand-name products. Honestly, the difference in taste is so subtle that most people won’t even notice it, so you’re better off using the money you save to treat yourself to an extra tasty snack for dinner.

On the other hand, if you're looking for that refreshing, tangy fizz, head straight to the "carbonated water" section. The undisputed leader in Japan's carbonated water market is 'Wilkinson'It's definitely worth trying at least once. The original version with the green label has a very strong fizz that gives you a refreshing, invigorating sensation. Versions with lemon or lime flavors are also very popular, so choose the one that suits your taste.

Finally, the most economical option is to use tap water. Tap water in Japan is maintained to such a high standard that it is safe to drink straight from the faucet. In particular, Tokyo’s tap water meets strict water quality standards, ensuring its safety. (For more details, Tokyo Metropolitan Waterworks Bureau Official Website(Available here) If you bring a reusable water bottle, you can fill it up at your lodging and save on travel expenses while also reducing unnecessary plastic waste. Don’t forget to let the water run for a moment until cold water comes out before filling your bottle in your hotel room. Now you’ll be able to confidently choose the water you want at the convenience store’s water section, right?