Job Discussion Forums

a_godden · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 20

Hi, sorry if this questions sounds stupid but in Japan do people drink tap water? I've been in Korea for 2 years and while the gov. claims the tap water is safe to drink here I don't know anyone who does. Could you tell me what the general situation is in Japan.

Thanks
Amy

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Tap water is just fine to drink. Everyone I know drinks it. No worries.

Rorschach · Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 130 Location: Osaka

I wouldn't recommend it as a regular habit but it is safe to drink the water - does taste a little funny though (this is Osaka water I am talking about). Most people I know have water filters or they add charcol to their water jugs. You do get into the habit though of buying bottled water just because it is so readily available and cheap.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

water in Kansai is safe to drink ( I think they put chlorine or fluoride in it though, tastes musty if you drink out of thr tap) but if you live up near a nuclear power station (Fukui prefecture etc) you are probably better off drinking bottled or filtered water.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Japan does not fluoridate its water system, but the water is still safe to drink. Even so, I still see some people going to the supermarket to fill water jugs at a special dispenser, and of course many people buy bottled water.

lalalateda · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 72 Location: JAPAN

The official line is that the water is fine to drink. Do I drink it? No. It smells very chlorinated and well. I guess I'm just a bit picky. But yes, it is technically fine to drink.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Apart from the fluoride thing, I don't think there's a lot of difference between the water in New York, London, or my city Auckland- it's not India, drinking the water in Tokyo won't upset your stomach, but it's chlorinated and therefore doesn't taste fantastic. I feel bad about the environmental impact of PET bottles, so we have one of those Brita jug things to filter the water- not because I think the water's dangerous, but because it tastes better that way. If you drink the water in Australia, Canada, the US, UK etc, then you can drink it here.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

There is no contest between the water in Seoul and Japan. I was really sick drinking the water in Seoul, but never had a problem here ever, neither do my kids.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I'm sure it varies between municipalities. The water here in my corner of Kanto tastes neither musty, nor chlorinated. It's quite good, actually. I've even drunk the water in Tokyo with no ill-effects. But given the choice, I'd probably rather drink beer instead.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:12 am Post subject:

Having experienced extremely horrible water (New Orleans and Mexico), I can say that Japan's water is pretty safe. The Mt.Fuji area--Shizuoka, specially Fuji city and Gotemba--have really good tap water BUT the air pollution is soooo bad there. Go figure. And now in Yokosuka, the water is pretty crap. Everyone else I know gets bottled water or buys from Hawaii Water, which delivers to your house for a pretty cheap price. (about 2000 yen a month for huge bottles of water) My husband loves it b/c he is really lazy and our Hawaii Water machine has a hot water tap on it so he doesn't have to boil water for his ramen. But like I said he is really lazy. We also use a Brita filter at work and its fine that way.
Smile