Shibuya Tackles Street Drinking with a New Ordinance

A patrol circulates to instruct members of the public not to drink alcohol on the street in Shibuya Center-gai, Shibuya, Tokyo, on October 4, 2024. (© Inose Hijiri)

Shibuya Street Drinking Ban Area

Around Shibuya Station, signs inform people that drinking is prohibited. Photograph taken at Miyashita Park, Shibuya, Tokyo, on October 4, 2024. (© Inose Hijiri)

Number of Japanese Street Drinkers

Number of Non-Japanese Street Drinkers

YouTuber MJ gives his thoughts on the matter in an online interview on October 2, 2024. (© Inose Hijiri)

Two foreign men with cans of beer who refuse to hand over their drinks even after learning that street drinking is forbidden. Photo taken near Shibuya Station on October 4, 2024; edited to preserve privacy. (© Inose Hijiri)

Shinjuku Mayor Yoshizumi Ken’ichi (left) and Shibuya Mayor Hasebe Ken talk about their street drinking ordinances at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo on October 7, 2024. (© Inose Hijiri)

A foreign man hands over his canned cocktail after listening to a patrol’s explanation near Shibuya Station on October 4, 2024. Photo edited to preserve privacy. (© Inose Hijiri)