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Can you actually buy it in Japan?

“Rare” is doing a lot of work in most overseas write-ups. There is a real difference between a bottle that sells out quickly and one you can only enter a lottery for. This page separates them.

On the shelf

Stocked by ordinary Japanese liquor shops and supermarkets at list price.

Allocated

Shops receive limited quantities. Sells out, but turns up if you look.

Lottery only

Sold by application lottery (抽選). You cannot simply walk in and buy one, even in Japan.

Secondary market only

No longer distributed. Available only through auction and resale.

Discontinued

Production has ended. Remaining stock only.