Drinking water in Japan: where to refill, and whether the tap is safe

Questions people ask

Is tap water safe to drink in Japan?

Yes, everywhere in the country: it is regulated under the Waterworks Act to standards at least as strict as bottled water, and it is safe straight from any tap in a home, hotel, station or park. Some cities, Tokyo among them, sell their own tap water in bottles to make the point. Older rural buildings may taste of chlorine; the water is still safe.

Where can I refill a water bottle in Japan?

Station and park drinking fountains, the taps beside public toilets, hotel rooms, and increasingly refill stations in stations and shopping centres. This map holds 8,565 public drinking-water points on record; tap the Water chip to see the nearest with walking time. Convenience stores sell 500 ml water for around 100 yen if a fountain is not close.

Are there water fountains in Japan?

Fewer than in Europe or North America, which surprises people given how safe the water is. They exist in large parks, at many station platforms (often a low fountain beside the toilets) and at sports grounds and school gates. Because they are scattered, a map matters: the 8,565 points on this one come from OpenStreetMap and from travellers who confirmed them.

Is there a water fountain app for Japan?

This map covers it: tap the Water chip and public drinking-water points appear with walking time from the map centre, alongside toilets, smoking areas and checked trash cans. No account, works in the browser, eight languages. If a fountain is missing, add it from the map in fifteen seconds and it reaches everyone after review.