Getting Carded at Bars

So I've heard mixed things about how strongly Japanese drinking laws are enforced. I recently arrived in Japan and plan on going to bars/nightclubs soon. I am 20 (the legal drinking age) but I am wondering if I will get carded going into bars and if they will accept my Texas ID or will I need to carry my passport with me. Id rather not be carrying my passport while drinking. Thanks in advance.

Japanese laws require all foreigners who are not registered residents to carry their passports on them at all times.

I've never heard of someone getting carded.

Hey don't want to sound too blunt, but dude, you'll NEVER get carded in Japan. I was not carded ONCE when I was partying in Japan. You can buy cigarettes and beer from vendig machines on the street if thats an indication of the Japanese attitude towards drinking =)

Haha, when I first got to Japan, I always checked to make sure I had my ID out of habit before going drinking since I was carded so often back home, but I've never once been asked to show ID at any bars/izakayas/etc here. So I don't think it's something to worry about (but you should still take your passport with you everywhere while travelling around Japan as Police/various security people could potentially ask for it).

I'm a young looking 22y.o.- never been carded in Japan in concerts, bars buying smokes or alcohol (even at the combini).

A bit of topic, but I found this interesting, on the subject of legal age etc...
http://www.gadling.com/2008/05/14/big-in-japan-new-cigarette...