C.C. Lemon Japan’s refreshing drink offering
Long before I ever set foot in Japan, I found myself drawn frequently to the Japan Centre in London, eager to lose myself among its treasures straight from Japan. Shelves overflowed with authentic food products, freshly rolled sushi, delicate bakery treats, and an impressive array of Sake and Shochu, not to mention a trove of household goods. For Londoners, it is a portal to Japan, albeit with a price tag to match its imported wonders. Next door, Yokoso beckons with steaming bowls of ramen, each one a taste of a different corner of Japan. I still remember slurping noodles there after my JET interview, tracing the origins of each dish on the map they provide. But today, I want to share the story of a drink I discovered at Japan Centre, one that quickly became my obsession.
Near the store’s till, visitors will notice a bright yellow can with the label “C.C.” in romaji and “lemon” in katakana. This is C.C. Lemon, the star of today's blog; a refreshingly strong lemon-flavoured soda sold in various bottle sizes up to 500ml across Japan. The drink claims to provide the vitamin C equivalent of 50 lemons. I first discovered C.C. Lemon through a Tokyo treat box subscription I had before moving to Japan. When the can was offered for one month, I tried it and was immediately hooked. As a huge fan of anything lemon-flavoured, I found C.C. Lemon irresistible. When I arrived in Tokyo for my JET orientation, I was delighted to find a C.C. Lemon frappe with ramune candy mixed in. I remember panicking about whether I could drink it in the streets, so I ran back to my hotel in the heat, and sadly my drink had very much melted. With how hot Japan's summers get, I advise everyone to drink when needed; it is perfectly acceptable to drink whilst moving. Heat stroke is very much a day-to-day threat during the summer; please hydrate and stay safe.
One of my first days in Japan was when I realised there was an entire range of C.C. Lemon products I still needed to try! The list is long, and some products have been discontinued, but there are many still available. The price of C.C. Lemon in Japan is very reasonable, unlike the expensive cans I used to buy in London for an eye-watering 5 pounds.
C.C. Lemon first burst onto Japanese shelves on March 1st, 1994, courtesy of Suntory. Today, it stands as Japan’s third most popular soft drink, trailing only Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola. While it proudly boasts a vitamin C punch, its sugar content matches its cola rivals, though sugar-free options are available for the health-conscious. Over the years, the brand has unleashed a parade of playful flavours, from pink lemonade and C.C. Grape to Pineapple mix, Melon, Peach, sour lemon, and beyond. For those craving a zesty boost, there is even a sports version, and fans can chew on the signature lemony taste with C.C. Lemon gum. The brand’s commercials have become iconic, especially during the early 2000s, when The Simpsons made a splash as its quirky spokes characters.
Since arriving in Japan, C.C. Lemon has become my go-to drink, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone visiting. Unlike many of the top-selling sodas, C.C. Lemon is less carbonated, a quality I find makes it especially refreshing and easy to enjoy anytime. While there are other, more fizzy versions available, the standard drink’s gentle carbonation helps the bright lemon flavour truly shine. I’m genuinely excited to see how the brand continues to evolve, and I’m always on the lookout for new flavours and creative spin-offs. Whether you’re braving the humid summer or seeking something uplifting in the colder months, grabbing a can or bottle of C.C. Lemon is a simple pleasure that captures Japan's fun and flavour. Don’t miss the chance to try it while you're travelling; it’s a little taste of local life you won’t forget.
