Regional Drink Specialties: Must-Try Non-Alcoholic Local Drinks Found at Japan’s Best Travel Spot

When traveling in Japan, one of the joys—beyond the scenery and food—is discovering the unique local drinks found in each region.

Take Hokkaidō Prefecture, for example, where locally loved guarana drinks line convenience store shelves, or Ehime Prefecture, where juice bursting with the natural sweetness of mikan (mandarin oranges) is especially popular. Each of these beverages reflects the region’s climate and specialties—a truly “drinkable local experience.”

In the heat of summer, refreshing citrus drinks take center stage, while in winter, soothing teas and sweet amazake (a traditional Japanese drink made from fermented rice) offer comfort. The flavors change with the seasons.

In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through Japan’s local drinks, region by region. Get ready to discover special beverages that let you taste the spirit of each place in just one sip!

Hokkaido & Tohoku regions

Hokkaido: local sodas and forest berry juice

When visiting Hokkaido, one local specialty you should try at least once is guarana soda—a regional favorite carbonated drink.

Guarana soda became popular in Hokkaido during a time when Coca-Cola was hard to come by, and it has since developed into a beloved local beverage.

While Brazil also produces carbonated drinks made from guarana, the Hokkaido version is slightly sweeter, though it shares a similar flavor profile.

Another must-try in Hokkaido is haskap juice. Made from a small, tart berry known as haskap that grows in cold climates, this juice offers a refreshingly tangy taste that’s easy to get hooked on.

If you spot either guarana soda or haskap juice at a roadside station or souvenir shop, be sure to pick some up!

Aomori: Pure, 100% fruit juice indulgence

Aomori Prefecture is famous for its apples, and as you might expect, the quality of its juice is exceptional.

In particular, the 100% straight apple juice—made without any added water or sugar—varies in flavor depending on the apple variety, making it fun to try and compare different types.

You’ll even find juices named after specific apple varieties like Fuji and Orin, making them perfect as souvenirs. Sipping local apple juice while gazing out over apple orchards is a truly unforgettable experience.

Yamagata: juice that captures the brilliance of local fruits

Yamagata Prefecture is synonymous with cherries. While the fresh fruit steals the spotlight during the peak season, you won’t want to miss out on cherry juice either.

With a floral aroma and a sweet-tart flavor, it’s like a drinkable dessert.

Some juices are even made with the premium Sato Nishiki variety, making them a perfect gift to bring home, should your country permit it.

Fukushima: pure fruit juices with bold, juicy flavor

Fukushima Prefecture is known as one of Japan’s leading peach-producing regions.

While 100% straight peach juice does exist, the most common form in Japan is sold as nekutā (from the English “nectar”—a thick, puréed style of juice). Made from fully ripened fruit, it has a rich sweetness and velvety texture—like drinking a freshly squeezed peach.

Chilled, it’s the perfect treat on a hot day. You can often find it at farm-run shops and souvenir stands near tourist spots, making it one of the delights of traveling in the area.

Kanto region

Kanagawa: refreshing citrus cider

The citrus fruit Shonan Gold, a golden-yellow hybrid of Japanese and mandarin orange varieties grown in Kanagawa Prefecture, is used to make a carbonated drink known as “Shonan Gold Cider.”

Its sun-kissed citrus aroma and light sweetness are sure to enhance the mood of a summer day by the sea.

Whether you’re sightseeing in the popular Shōnan beach area or just visiting Kanagawa, this is one drink you won’t want to miss.

Chūbu region

Shizuoka: savor the pride of Japan’s top tea region

Shizuoka Prefecture is renowned as one of Japan’s top tea-producing regions. Bottled green teas made with deep-steamed tea or blended with matcha offer a simple and delicious way to enjoy authentic Japanese flavors.

Perfect for a refreshing break during your travels, these teas provide a soothing moment of calm. Sipping tea while taking in views of lush tea fields is a uniquely Shizuoka luxury.

Yamanashi: Juice bursting with fruity aroma

Yamanashi Prefecture is also famous as one of Japan’s top grape-producing regions, where high-quality varieties like Kyoho and Koshu are grown.

The juice made from these richly sweet Yamanashi-grown grapes is a luxurious drink that lets you savor the bounty of nature itself.

Of course, this means Yamanashi is also renowned for its wine, so pairing grape juice with a winery tour is a highly recommended experience.

Nagano: Japan’s other apple powerhouse – from juice to cider

Nagano Prefecture is also known as a major apple-producing region in Japan.

Apples nurtured by Nagano’s distinct climate and soil have a rich flavor, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that sets them apart from Aomori’s.

While 100% apple juice is a classic favorite, fermented apple cider has been gaining attention in recent years.

With a refreshing, sparkling wine-like taste, it’s a popular choice for a special drink to enjoy on a night of travel.

Kansai region

Kyoto: Savor the rich flavor of Uji Matcha with ease

Uji in Kyoto Prefecture is one of Japan’s most renowned matcha-producing regions. Matcha-based drinks pair perfectly with traditional Japanese sweets, making them an ideal treat during a break on your trip.

There are also many matcha drinks available in bottles or cans, making them easy to enjoy on the go and a popular souvenir. Their rich, traditional flavor offers a moment of calm that helps you forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

Wakayama: sweet and tart ume juice, perfect for summer

Wakayama Prefecture is Japan’s top producer of ume (Japanese plums). Juice made from ume is refreshingly tart with a natural sweetness, making it the perfect drink for staying hydrated during hot summer days.

In Nanki-Shirahama, one of Wakayama’s most famous ume-growing regions, you’ll find ume juice served in many cafes and restaurants, as well as sold at local shops. Known for its health benefits, this drink is also a great way to soothe travel fatigue.

Nara: What’s the secret to this region’s gentle, natural tea?

Persimmon leaf tea, a specialty of Nara Prefecture, is low in caffeine and has a mild, gentle flavor.

It’s long been enjoyed as a healthful tea and is served at cafes in tourist areas as well.

This hidden gem from the Kansai region offers a relaxing way to enjoy nature’s bounty and unwind.

Chūgoku & Shikoku regions

Okayama: Treat yourself to luxurious muscat grape juice

Okayama Prefecture is famous for its muscat grapes, known for their rich, fragrant flavor.

The muscat juice here is luxuriously fruity—like drinking the whole fruit itself. Its sweet aroma offers a refreshing pick-me-up during your travels.

Ehime: pure mikan flavor in every sip of juice

When it comes to Ehime Prefecture, it’s impossible not to mention mikan.

Sweet, juicy, and bursting with flavor, Ehime-grown mikan oranges are known for being among the highest quality in Japan. And in Ehime, for a small fee, you can enjoy a fantastic luxury—mikan juice that flows straight from a faucet!

This unique treat can be found in popular tourist spots like the first-floor lobby of Matsuyama Airport, the teahouse at Matsuyama Castle’s main keep plaza, and local souvenir shops throughout the city.

Whether it’s the start of your journey or a refreshing break along the way, a cold sip of mikan juice is a delightful and surprising taste of Ehime—one that turns an ordinary moment into something a little more special.

Kochi: yuzu citrus and honey in perfect harmony

In a small village nestled in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture, a gentle-flavored drink is made using yuzu citrus cultivated by traditional methods.

The juice, made from fragrant yuzu fruit juice combined with a touch of sweet honey, fills the senses with a fresh aroma the moment you take a sip, finishing with a crisp, clean aftertaste.

Using only ingredients grown in the rich natural environment, this simple yet memorable flavor stands out.

This special drink offers a taste that captures the essence of Kochi’s nature, and can be found at local roadside stations and specialty shops.

Kyūshū & Okinawa regions

Fukuoka: refreshing, juicy strawberry beverages

The pride fruit of Fukuoka Prefecture is a branded strawberry called “Amaou.” Known for their large size and rich sweetness, they’re a popular treat enjoyed fresh during their peak season.

Additionally, strawberry juice made from Amaou strawberry juice is also popular. Its rich flavor is like eating the strawberries themselves, making it a great snack alternative.

If you see it at airports or souvenir shops near tourist spots, be sure to give it a try!

Kumamoto: delightfully sweet and aromatic Dekopon citrus juice

“Dekopon,” a citrus fruit native to Kumamoto Prefecture, is characterized by its mild acidity and juiciness. Dekopon juice, which captures this charm perfectly, is refreshing and easy to drink, making it ideal for hot days.

It is also readily available at tourist spots in the Aso and Amakusa regions, and enjoying a glass during your travels can be a refreshing way to beat fatigue.

Okinawa: tangy and vitamin boosting tropical shikuwasa juice

Shikuwasa (also romanized as shīkwāsā), grown under the bright Okinawan sun, is a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C and known for its refreshing, tart aftertaste.

Drinks made from shikuwasa juice are best served chilled, delivering a crisp and revitalizing sensation.

Available at local supermarkets and often served as welcome drinks at hotels, their delicious taste makes you want to enjoy them again and again during your stay.

Okinawa: comforting jasmine tea from the islands

Here’s one more from Okinawa: a beloved local tea known as sanpin-cha.

Sanpin-cha is a fragrant jasmine tea believed to have taken root in Okinawa through Chinese cultural influences. Its floral aroma and gentle flavor offer a relaxing experience with every sip.

This tea’s soothing, slightly exotic profile makes it a great companion to meals. It’s also widely available in vending machines and convenience stores across the region—perfect for casually enjoying a taste of Okinawa’s unique tea culture.

From refreshing citrus sodas to comforting herbal teas, Japan’s regional drinks are a direct expression of the land and lifestyle they come from. Each one adds another layer of richness to your travel experience.

So next time you explore a new part of Japan, take a moment to seek out a local drink—you just might discover an unexpected favorite along the way.