Japanese Soda Pops

One odd difference that I suspect a lot of Americans aren’t used to upon reaching Japan is the difference in the way carbonated bottles are sealed. Americans are used to plastic soda bottles opening with a prolonged hissing that sounds like “Pssshhhh” when the sealed carbonated air slowly seeps out. Japanese soda bottles are sealed with a sort of intense vacuum seal, so they open with an abrupt, crisp pop, similar to the popping cork of a champagne bottle. Americans who aren’t used to the distinctive opening of Japanese soda bottles may at first be startled and instinctively expect the bottle to explode in fizzing, overflowing soda bubbles. But they don’t (unless the soda has been shaken up).

This video isn’t mine, but it does capture the point I’m explaining.