On a long autumn night, a glass of alcohol at a Japanese snack bar can warm both your heart and body. Chatting with the mama or regulars while sipping your drink is always a special moment. What many people don’t realize is that every glass of alcohol also comes with something invisible: the liquor tax. At first, it might sound complicated, but it’s actually a fun little piece of trivia you can bring up in conversation. This October (2025), there won’t be any major changes, but next year the world of alcohol in Japan will see some shifts. Let’s take a gentle look at what liquor tax means, and how it might affect our nights at a snack bar.

What Is the Liquor Tax?

The liquor tax is, quite simply, the tax placed on alcoholic beverages. Whenever we order a drink at a snack bar or buy a can of beer at the convenience store, the price already includes this tax. In other words, that glass of beer, cup of sake, or sip of wine you enjoy has the liquor tax built in.

Alcohol has always been considered special in Japan—something to share at celebrations or when connecting with others. Because of that, it has also played an important role in government revenue. In fact, liquor tax has been around since the Meiji era, when it was once one of the main sources of national income. Although it’s not as large a share today, it still contributes a significant amount each year.

No Change in October 2025, but Big Changes Next Year

So, will there be a liquor tax change this October 2025? The answer is no. There won’t be any major revisions, so your beer or highball at the snack bar won’t suddenly cost more this autumn.

However, in October 2026, a major revision is planned. Beer, happōshu (low-malt beer), and “new genre” beverages (also called the third category of beer-like drinks) will all be unified under the same tax rate. Until now, beer has been taxed higher, happōshu a little lower, and new-genre drinks the lowest. From next year, that difference will disappear.

This means that when you’re choosing from the menu, the price gap will shrink, and people may start choosing based more on taste than on price.

How Tax Changes Might Affect Your Snack Bar Nights

Hearing “tax reform” might sound dry, but when you think about it in terms of your own drinking habits, it feels more real. For example, if you usually picked the cheaper “new genre” option, you might start thinking, “Why not enjoy a proper beer?” once the tax becomes the same. On the other hand, with prices becoming similar, people will be freer to choose purely by preference.

At a snack bar, this could easily become a fun topic of conversation. You could say, “Did you know next year beer and happōshu will be taxed the same?” and see where the talk goes. A knowledgeable regular might share stories of when beer used to be heavily taxed, while others will simply enjoy learning something new. It’s a lighthearted way to connect over your drinks.

Conclusion

This October, there are no tax changes, so you can enjoy your drinks at the same price as always. But with October 2026 bringing a major shift—when beer and its alternatives will fall under the same tax rate—it may influence how we enjoy our drinks just a little. Even though taxes make alcohol slightly more expensive, knowing the story behind them can add depth to the taste. And when you’re at a snack bar, it’s the perfect little conversation starter. So this autumn, as you sip your drink and chat, why not share a bit of trivia about liquor tax? It may just make your night even more enjoyable.