Age & Responsible Drinking Notice

The Sake Encounter is a publication about Japanese sake, an alcoholic beverage. By reading this site, you confirm that you are of legal drinking age in your country or region of residence.

Legal drinking age

Legal drinking ages vary around the world — for example, it is 20 in Japan and 21 in the United States. It is your responsibility to know and follow the laws that apply where you live. If you are not of legal drinking age in your jurisdiction, please do not use this site, and please do not purchase any products linked from it.

Purchasing alcohol through links on this site

Retailers linked from this site conduct their own age verification at the point of sale, in accordance with the laws of the destination country. Shipping availability, import allowances, and taxes on alcohol also vary by country and region — please check your local rules before ordering.

Drink responsibly

Sake is best enjoyed slowly, with food, in good company — that is how it is served at the counters I write about, and it is the spirit of this site. Please drink in moderation, never drink and drive, and avoid alcohol entirely if you are pregnant or if it interacts with your health or medication.

If you feel your drinking may be becoming a problem, please seek support from a health professional or a local support service in your country.