[Super Cheap & Free Shipping] How to buy Red Bull cheaply (for Japan)
Red Bull generally avoids discount sales and tends to sell out at regular prices. According to distribution insiders, Red Bull Japan also operates with this mindset as much as possible.
However, on rare occasions, you can find it at half price or even lower. Recently, certain stores have become well-known among energy drink enthusiasts as reliable spots for discounted Red Bull.
Since Red Bull doesn’t typically go on sale, if you ever spot it being heavily discounted or clearance-priced, you’ll want to grab it immediately! ((o(´∀`)o))
Jason: The Go-To Discount Store for Energy Drink Enthusiasts
Although limited to certain regions, the discount store Jason has multiple locations in the Kanto area and has become a go-to spot for energy drink deals.
It all started back in July 2015 when I discovered that Rockstar Sparkling was selling for less than half its regular price. Some hardcore fans even made special trips to Jason while visiting Tokyo just to grab this unbelievable deal!
Since then, energy drink enthusiasts in the Kanto region have made it a habit to check Jason regularly, as the store frequently offers incredible discounts.アマゾン以外でリアル販売してる上に安すぎて在庫10ケース買い占めてもいい pic.twitter.com/GQRslGcc8P
— エナジー・ドリン君エナジードリンクマニア (@energydrinkun) 2015年7月25日
Now, the big news: Red Bull was available at Jason for less than half its regular price!
This particular deal was for the Summer Edition 2016. Just over six months after its release, it was being cleared out with a massive stock nationwide at this low price. It was likely the first large-scale Red Bull clearance at such a steep discount.
However, even at ¥99, which is still relatively high compared to Jason’s usual rock-bottom prices, the stock remained for over three months after the sale began.
Since there’s no way to predict when these rare clearance sales will happen at Jason, if you have a store nearby, it’s a good idea to check the drinks section regularly. Not only Red Bull, but many other energy drinks often go on clearance, so your chances of finding a hidden gem are quite high! (●´ω`●)
Hunt for Limited-Edition Clearance at Convenience Stores
Red Bull releases seasonal limited-edition flavors every year. Because these can take up valuable shelf space and inventory, it’s not uncommon for convenience stores to offer them at half price to clear them out. However, this doesn’t happen at every store in the chain, so it really comes down to luck. Many times, franchise stores make the decision to discount them independently.
For example, there were tweets about the Red Bull Spring Edition being sold for just ¥100 before the summer heat kicked in. Unfortunately, I didn’t encounter any Spring Edition clearance deals during my travels.
Also, not only seasonal items, but even regular Red Bull 250ml cans have been spotted at up to 30% off at convenience stores. I once managed to stock up on the older design of Sugar-Free 250ml cans (the ones without the red line) at a store that had a surplus.
When you find a convenience store, it’s always worth checking for any hidden treasures. As an energy drink traveler, I like to call this “hunting.” I encourage you to join the hunt for discounted items and enjoy the thrill of finding a great deal in Japan! ((o(´∀`)o))
Buying in Bulk on Amazon and Rakuten
For a long time, buying a case of 24 cans through Amazon or Rakuten, with free shipping and a discount of a few dozen yen, has been a common way to buy Red Bull cheaply. However, since around 2015, it’s become clear that this is no longer considered a great deal among energy drink enthusiasts.
That being said, Red Bull Original and Sugar-Free are staple items in physical stores, and it's rare to see them at deeply discounted prices. Typically, you’ll pay the regular price unless there’s a special sale. So, when considering bulk purchases with discounts and free shipping, there’s still value to be found.
On Amazon, you can buy 250ml Red Bull Original and Sugar-Free for under 230 yen. Currently, the regular price has been slightly reduced to 260 yen, making it about 30 yen cheaper per can.
While this isn't a dramatic discount compared to real store sales, it’s stable for those who regularly drink Red Bull.
Red Bull 250ml (Amazon)
Red Bull Sugar-Free (Amazon)
For Red Bull 185ml, Rakuten offers a relatively steady stock with free shipping for just over 160 yen, which is about 40 yen cheaper.
If you plan on stockpiling several dozen cases for an office or similar use, this could be a convenient option to avoid the hassle of carrying them home.
Author: Energy Drink-kun
In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.