shochu = rice-based drink, pretty strong, like moonshine

W-san: "In Japan the official drinking age is 20 (same for smoking). A lot of people drink and smoke before this, though. It's not hard for teens to buy alcohol at stores since they don't ask for I.D. Teens usually enjoy cherry-blossom-watching with their friends with Coke or maybe beer. But since cherry blossom parties are usually held outside and there are lots of police patrolling around (to stop fights because many people get drunk) not many teens dare to drink there. If a policeman finds out you're a teen and drinking you'll be sent home immediately and it will be reported to your teachers at school. It's not a good thing."