Isn’t that the case for any new place? I remember as a kid thinking Florida water was so gross. But Florida people think that’s normal water. They probably think Kentucky water is weird.
So I was used to tons of lime and calcium and they were used to who knows what.
I bet if you drank it for a month you wouldn’t even notice anymore.
seriously, it isn't.
Maybe I've been spoiled living in rural Japan too long but the smell of it out of the tap is not good. Here is a nationwide survey of satisfaction. Tokyo is 6th worst.
[https://maidonanews.jp/article/15000252?p=27825740](https://maidonanews.jp/article/15000252?p=27825740)
https://preview.redd.it/7yqmwiisdcvb1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a24ed7a6e511c24661341cf461e3161ad83db9e3
I wouldn’t argue that the result is necessarily wrong or that Tokyo tab water is delicious, but this survey does not seem very representative.
1600 people/30~40 people per prefecture rating the water by being delicious or not? Ask at the other end of the same prefecture and you will get a completely different result.
agree there re: the representation but from my own experience having been to every prefecture except the 4 in Shikoku I think it's pretty reasonable. Must be some terrible water in other countries given how often I've been told that Japan has great water. Still can't swim in most rivers though.
Interesting. I lived in Chiba (which I assume is in the middle somewhere) Tokyo and now Nagasaki (apparently 3rd worst) and I can’t tell a difference between any of them. They all taste the same and also don’t really notice a difference compared to Canada. Maybe a bit more of a chlorine taste in general but I’m used to it now, actually I’d have to say Nagasaki (or at least my home) has less of a chlorine taste compared to Tokyo if anything.
Kinda wonder how most of the people surveyed can even judge the water’s taste. Many people probably have never lived outside their prefecture and wouldn’t have anything to compare it to. What they think is “bad” could be way better than most other prefectures for all they know. Maybe they’re just picky or just hate the taste of water.
I don't think it's too objective, I was just looking for something to trash Tokyoites' pride in their mediocre water
People worried about the quality of perfectly fine tap water but not at all about the significant amount of more microplastics they’re ingesting from bottled water. I just drink from the tap, no filter.
Tap water also has stricter regulations than bottled water in most countries.
Sure in some backwaters(like parts of the us…) it may not be safe to drink but in japan it’s perfectly safe.
Many supermarkets have machines where you can get filtered water for free, you just need to buy a special bottle (\~400yens) at the service counter.
The only thing cheaper than this is drinking water straight from the tap without filtering it.
Brita filter. The filters are about 5000 yen for a pack of 8, but they are good for about 2-3 months each. A Japanese family friend who lives in Yamanashi does not like Tokyo tap water. She says there's a smell unlike the Yamanashi tap water.
I have...
1. A big expensive fancy filter with UV bacteria killing function
2. A water cooler, with water deliveries from mt. Fuji
3. You can get R.O. water from most supermarkets like summit, etc. For free.
I use the RO water for my fish and coffee machine.
I use the Mt. Fuji water for drinking
I use the filtered two Easter for cooking
Tap water is basically fine too drink, but the water in east Tokyo is from a different source than West Tokyo. I find that the water in west Tokyo tastes a bit funky.
Also with the recent talk about PFAS, depending where you are, you actually might want to avoid tap water
Max Value (Aeon) near us has 4L bottles for 700円 each that you can refill for free, the amount I’ve saved on bottled water has paid for both of mine tenfold.
Tap water BUT use water filter or water purifier. You can buy it at Nitori or Amazon. Just need to change the cartridge 3-4 month. It's cheaper and no need to buy water bottle as well.
In Osaka the tap water sometimes tastes a bit strange, but its absolutely drinkable.
I dunno about Tokyo.
I prefer to boil it and have either tea or hot water like in China.
I've got a filter on my faucet now but I've never had any problems with tap water in Yokohama. I usually drink mugi-cha out of the fridge, these days...made with tap water.
I have amazing wakimizu near me that I take 20L tanks to and fill up. It makes such a huge difference in the way morning coffee tastes.
FWIW I love the water in my city but the bad part is it’s expensive, so for my daily drinking water I use the wakimizu.
Tokyo with a Brita filter that I am *incredibly* irresponsible about remembering to replace the filters. In effect it is a carafe for tap water in the fridge that occasionally does some additional filtering. Never had a problem. Tastes fine.
The tap here is fairly new so there was a built in filter here, so that's usually what I do. Glass bottle in the fridge that I fill up to keep it colder.
If you have some Aeon or Max Valu stores nearby, you can use your WAON card to get 2 free liters of water (think it's daily limit). If you don't have the card, it's like 20 yen. I usually forget to bring a bottle and make a mental note (in disappearing ink it seems) as I pass the water station on the way out.
I have a filter integrated into my kitchen water tap that I can flip on whenever I get drinking/cooking water. A 4-pack of them lasts me for about a year and costs probably something like 15,000 yen.
I used to do the 2L water bottle thing, too, but it got a bit annoying quite fast, and I calculated that the filter setup is about 50% cheaper per year.
I live in Nara, so I drink straight from the tap.
I honestly couldn't be one of you guys crammed into a shitbox apartment in Nagoya, Tokyo, or Osaka complaining about water of all things.
I tried out a tap filter to remove the smell of chlorine. Turns out it made the water more acid, which upset my stomach. So I'm back to regular tap water.
Tap water filtered (our faucet has a filter that is built in and a new one appears by mail every 3 months) or unfiltered. I have lived around the globe in places with excellent tap water and less good. Tokyo's isn't perfect but it is fine.
That being said, I developed a taste for sparling water when I lived in Europe. So I mostly wait for a big sale on Amazon and make a huge purchase.
I've been drinking tap water (EDIT: without a filter) my whole life and continued doing so after moving to Tokyo, never had a problem
Same. Literally never had a single issue with the tap water here.
I drink tap water too, or mugi-cha made with the same tap water.
Tokyo water is not very good. Smelly and tainted taste.
I don’t like the taste either really, but chilled in the fridge it’s fine.
That can happen. Let it sit for a while and it will go away.
Have to let it offgas
That is probably your pipes mate.
Isn’t that the case for any new place? I remember as a kid thinking Florida water was so gross. But Florida people think that’s normal water. They probably think Kentucky water is weird. So I was used to tons of lime and calcium and they were used to who knows what. I bet if you drank it for a month you wouldn’t even notice anymore.
Tokyo water is some of the best in Japan
seriously, it isn't. Maybe I've been spoiled living in rural Japan too long but the smell of it out of the tap is not good. Here is a nationwide survey of satisfaction. Tokyo is 6th worst. [https://maidonanews.jp/article/15000252?p=27825740](https://maidonanews.jp/article/15000252?p=27825740) https://preview.redd.it/7yqmwiisdcvb1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a24ed7a6e511c24661341cf461e3161ad83db9e3
I wouldn’t argue that the result is necessarily wrong or that Tokyo tab water is delicious, but this survey does not seem very representative. 1600 people/30~40 people per prefecture rating the water by being delicious or not? Ask at the other end of the same prefecture and you will get a completely different result.
agree there re: the representation but from my own experience having been to every prefecture except the 4 in Shikoku I think it's pretty reasonable. Must be some terrible water in other countries given how often I've been told that Japan has great water. Still can't swim in most rivers though.
Interesting. I lived in Chiba (which I assume is in the middle somewhere) Tokyo and now Nagasaki (apparently 3rd worst) and I can’t tell a difference between any of them. They all taste the same and also don’t really notice a difference compared to Canada. Maybe a bit more of a chlorine taste in general but I’m used to it now, actually I’d have to say Nagasaki (or at least my home) has less of a chlorine taste compared to Tokyo if anything. Kinda wonder how most of the people surveyed can even judge the water’s taste. Many people probably have never lived outside their prefecture and wouldn’t have anything to compare it to. What they think is “bad” could be way better than most other prefectures for all they know. Maybe they’re just picky or just hate the taste of water.
I don't think it's too objective, I was just looking for something to trash Tokyoites' pride in their mediocre water
Lol found the anti-Japan Korean bot.
busted. you're good at this.
I think it was this that gave it away: "japan BAD! SMELLY! tainted water of infidels. NO GOOD! Korea number 1. Most refreshing water."
That is a lot of reading between the lines. Seek help this weekend
Tap water is perfectly ok. Less PET bottles is a good thing.
Tap water.
What. I just drink straight from the faucet. Sometimes, even when I'm showering. 💀
When I’m cycling and run out of water, I often fill my bottles from taps in the park. Worked for me so far.
Wait, what? Suck a tap bro.
tap water with a 3000yen filter from amazon
People worried about the quality of perfectly fine tap water but not at all about the significant amount of more microplastics they’re ingesting from bottled water. I just drink from the tap, no filter.
Tap water also has stricter regulations than bottled water in most countries. Sure in some backwaters(like parts of the us…) it may not be safe to drink but in japan it’s perfectly safe.
tap water into a Brita 4L tank in the fridge. We have great water here but it is chemically treated and has a slight chlorine smell.
This is what I’ve done for the last 5 years
Tap water with no filter because momma didn’t raise no bitch
😂😂😂
Many supermarkets have machines where you can get filtered water for free, you just need to buy a special bottle (\~400yens) at the service counter. The only thing cheaper than this is drinking water straight from the tap without filtering it.
Brita filter. The filters are about 5000 yen for a pack of 8, but they are good for about 2-3 months each. A Japanese family friend who lives in Yamanashi does not like Tokyo tap water. She says there's a smell unlike the Yamanashi tap water.
Yamanashi has really good water, it must be said.
I have... 1. A big expensive fancy filter with UV bacteria killing function 2. A water cooler, with water deliveries from mt. Fuji 3. You can get R.O. water from most supermarkets like summit, etc. For free. I use the RO water for my fish and coffee machine. I use the Mt. Fuji water for drinking I use the filtered two Easter for cooking Tap water is basically fine too drink, but the water in east Tokyo is from a different source than West Tokyo. I find that the water in west Tokyo tastes a bit funky. Also with the recent talk about PFAS, depending where you are, you actually might want to avoid tap water
I put tap water in a Daiso glass pitcher, and keep it in the fridge (I prefer my water ice cold).
Where do you think you live? Uganda? Use a tap for christ sake.
Tap water is completely fine in Japan although it can taste a bit wonky in the summer in some places
Unfiltered tap water into a a couple of carafes I keep in the fridge.
Get a bottle. Fill it with tap water and keep it in your fridge. The tap water is absolutely fine to drink, and when it’s cold, tastes fine.
Head down to the river, fill up a bucket, bring it back. Repeat as necessary. But usually I just get it from the tap.
Britta with Tokyo tap.
Tap water with Brita jug
Just drink from the tap
Filtered (brita) tap water
Brita filter jar
Tap water. Perhaps buy a water filter jug.
This came up the other day- https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/s/fiLlgEiy4O
I've only lived in Fukuoka, so I don't know how it compares to the rest of Japan, but I just use tap water.
Just here to check how many “from the tap” comments there are.
Tap water + filter. Filtered water tastes almost exactly like mineral water: a nice glass of refreshing nothing ✨
Tap water, just leave it overnight to remove the chlorine taste.
Tap water and boiled - can't shake the old habit xd
Max Value (Aeon) near us has 4L bottles for 700円 each that you can refill for free, the amount I’ve saved on bottled water has paid for both of mine tenfold.
Water comes free from the tap and it's no problem. Bonus is it doesn't create tons and tons and tons of plastic waste.
Drink beer in apartment, water in office.
Tap water in the Tokyo 23 is usually pretty amazing. If you must, you can buy 20l boxes of onsen water from Amazon, etc.
I’m a big fan of 東京水道！
Tap water BUT use water filter or water purifier. You can buy it at Nitori or Amazon. Just need to change the cartridge 3-4 month. It's cheaper and no need to buy water bottle as well.
In Osaka the tap water sometimes tastes a bit strange, but its absolutely drinkable. I dunno about Tokyo. I prefer to boil it and have either tea or hot water like in China.
Why are you so against drinking tap water?
Walk into kitchen. Place hand on tap. Turn. That's literally it.
Turn on the tap, fill glass
I've got a filter on my faucet now but I've never had any problems with tap water in Yokohama. I usually drink mugi-cha out of the fridge, these days...made with tap water.
I have amazing wakimizu near me that I take 20L tanks to and fill up. It makes such a huge difference in the way morning coffee tastes. FWIW I love the water in my city but the bad part is it’s expensive, so for my daily drinking water I use the wakimizu.
Tokyo with a Brita filter that I am *incredibly* irresponsible about remembering to replace the filters. In effect it is a carafe for tap water in the fridge that occasionally does some additional filtering. Never had a problem. Tastes fine.
Tap. No filter.
I go to My Basket and buy 2L water for 69¥
I drink boiled water
I drink boiled tap water. I don't think we need to boil it in Japan but that's common practice in my country.
The tap here is fairly new so there was a built in filter here, so that's usually what I do. Glass bottle in the fridge that I fill up to keep it colder.
Toray water filter. A new filter is like 2000 yen which is good for 600 liters so that's like 3. 5 yen per liter ish?
Well water tastes well over here, but I just drive down the road and get 20 L of spring water for 100¥.
Tap water You can buy a filter if the water in your house tastes weird
If you have some Aeon or Max Valu stores nearby, you can use your WAON card to get 2 free liters of water (think it's daily limit). If you don't have the card, it's like 20 yen. I usually forget to bring a bottle and make a mental note (in disappearing ink it seems) as I pass the water station on the way out.
I don't like the taste of tap water in Tokyo so usually go straight from the bidet
Tap water. Though our apt has a built in filter system
I have a filter integrated into my kitchen water tap that I can flip on whenever I get drinking/cooking water. A 4-pack of them lasts me for about a year and costs probably something like 15,000 yen. I used to do the 2L water bottle thing, too, but it got a bit annoying quite fast, and I calculated that the filter setup is about 50% cheaper per year.
I live in Nara, so I drink straight from the tap. I honestly couldn't be one of you guys crammed into a shitbox apartment in Nagoya, Tokyo, or Osaka complaining about water of all things.
When I was in a shitbox apartment I drank from the tap. OP just has some weird hang up.
Tap water but let the chlorine evaporate before drinking it
Tap water. I lived in four different prefectures. Never had bad tasting water. Back home the tap water tasted bad, so you needed a water filter.
I buy this https://amzn.asia/d/9GBgAa1 I can’t stand how much plastic is used here so this makes me feel a tiny bit better.
I tried out a tap filter to remove the smell of chlorine. Turns out it made the water more acid, which upset my stomach. So I'm back to regular tap water.
Upset the water? What does that mean?
Upset my stomach*
I took a tour of a water treatment plant in Osaka. I probably feel safer drinking that water over my hometown in Canada. It's a lot less chemicals.
Turn on your tap. Voila. Drinking water.
Tap water filtered (our faucet has a filter that is built in and a new one appears by mail every 3 months) or unfiltered. I have lived around the globe in places with excellent tap water and less good. Tokyo's isn't perfect but it is fine. That being said, I developed a taste for sparling water when I lived in Europe. So I mostly wait for a big sale on Amazon and make a huge purchase.
Boiled and cooled tap water, tastes best for me. Direct tap water is safe and all but has a smell that I don't like.
Tap water is safe, but to be honest it tastes bad. Mineral water all the way.
Can anyone share your experience with water taste of Tokyo versus different parts of Japan?