Beer (bi-ru) in Japan

Beer in Japan is widely produced, distributed, marketed and available, including via the ever-present vending machines.

In general Japanese beers tend toward the lighter lager/pilsner types while darker full-bodied beers (ales, stouts, etc.) are rarer, but becoming more widely available thanks to a growing microbrewery industry.

Major Japanese beer producers include Kirin, Sapporo, Asahi, and Suntory and these companies also produce and market a wide array of soft drinks.

In Japan it's OK to possess and drink beer in public places - kind of reminds me of Europe - certainly far less strict than U.S. laws.  However, given that, we have yet to encounter any situations of excess consumption or abuse in public - seems like a more sensible, casual approach to alcohol consumption at-large works well.  That plus stricter Japanese moral codes of conduct in public may help explain such differences.

From a personal beer-lover's standpoint.  it's been great to grab a couple of cold beers at the train station newstand to enjoy on the journey home after a hot day of trekking and photo-shooting.  No need to go searching around for a liquor store or bar ever!  And if you don't have time to get beer on the way to the train you can still by it onboard from a refreshment cart traveling frequently up/down the aisle.  Doesn't get much better than that!