Mineral Water Products in Japan | Comprehensive Guide by Japanese webmaster

Mineral Water is very popular drink in Japan. Japanese call it as ‘Mineral Water’ or ‘Tennen-Sui’ and there is very high popularity in Japanese market.

In this article, I would like to provide complete guide to you for good understanding of this Japanese products. Thank you !

Water situation in Japan

Japan is one of few countries where tap water is safe to drink. So basically, people don’t need to buy bottled water in daily life in Japan. However, in rising of health consciousness, sales of bottled mineral water is increasing year by year.

As Japan is water rich country, we can see various mineral water in the market. And in expansion of the market, there are some mineral water imported to Japan.

Feature of Mineral Water products in Japan

Japanese natural mineral water is basically categorized as soft water. So in Japanese marked, consumer prefer to soft water, compare with hard water.

In Japan, sparkling water is not popular, while sales is increasing little by little recently. Japanese consumers prefer to normal water.

In Japanese market, we can see various Mineral Water products, not only Japanese water, but also imported waters. Japanese consumer sometime have imported waters.

In 2022, sales of plain hot mineral water was started in Japanese market. The market of mineral water is increasing.

The 3 Best Japanese Mineral Water Brands

As Japan is water rich country, there are so many source of water, and many brands of bottled mineral water in Japan. Some products are only for local market, and some others are for all over Japan.

In this paragraph, I would like to introduce very popular Japanese mineral water brand well known all over Japan. We can get these products with various channel, like convenience stores, vending machines, Kiosks, Supermarkets, etc.

Tennen sui by suntory

‘Tennen sui’ is mineral water with the largest sales in Japan. ‘Tennen sui’ means ‘Natural mineral water’, it’s very direct naming. The water is gush from 3 locations, Yamanashi, Tottori, and Kumamoto and supplied to the market.

I LO HA S by Coca Cola Japan

‘I LO HA S’ is one of major mineral water in Japan. Name is coming from ‘Lohas’, lifestyles of health and sustainability. The special characteristic of this product is plastic bottle, which can be squeezed very easily. Recently label less bottle is released, it’s nice for recycling.

Oishii Mizu by Asahi

’Oishii Mizu’ is one of mineral water which has long history in Japan. In 1983, ‘Rokko no Oishii Mizu’ was released in the market. This product is as pioneer of mineral water for the general consumers. ‘Oishii’ means ‘delicious’ and ‘Mizu’ does ‘water’.

The 2 Best Popular Imported Mineral Water in Japan

Although Japanese mineral water has large share in Japanese market, we can see some mineral waters imported from other countries.

In this paragraph, I would like to introduce imported mineral water in Japanese market. These products are well known among Japanese people.

evian from France

’evian’ is very famous brand of mineral water in Japan. It’s imported from France, since 1987. Trading company, ITOCHU Corp and major drink producer, Itoen have a exclusive right to sell in Japan. As they have strong selling network, we can buy water of this brand all over Japan.

Crystal Geyser from USA

’Crystal Geyser’ is one of very famous mineral water in Japan. This product is imported from USA. This product was originally made by Crystal Geyser water company. In 1990, Japanese maker, Otsuka foods acquired this company and started sales in 1994.

volvic from France (Sales terminated in end of 2020)

’volvic’ is one of major mineral water in Japan. This product is imported from France. Major drink maker, KIRIN has exclusive rights to sell this product in Japan. As KIRIN has large network, we can buy it all over Japan. Water is soft, similar to Japanese water. Regret, however, sales was terminated in Japan in end of 2020.

Summary

This is the end of article. In the end, let me summarize this article.

Now you got enough knowledge about Mineral Water Products in Japan. I hope you can enjoy to have this representative products of Japan !