Convert Japanese go to liters with confidence
Ever wondered how traditional Japanese recipes measure rice or sake? Meet the go (合), a unit steeped in history and still used in kitchens across Japan. Whether you're recreating grandma's miso soup or calculating sake production volumes, our converter bridges tradition and modernity..
1 合 x 0.18039 = 0.18039 L
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Picture this: You've found an authentic recipe for sakamai (sake rice) that calls for 3 go of water. Your measuring cups only show liters. Our converter solves this in seconds, preserving flavor accuracy while saving you from math headaches. This guide doesn't just convert units, it connects you to centuries of Japanese culinary tradition.
Unit definitions
What is a Japanese go (合)?
- Description: Traditional volume unit for dry/liquid goods
- Symbol: 合
- Common uses: Measuring rice, sake, soy sauce
- Definition: 1 go = 2401/13310 cubic shaku ≈ 0.18039 liters
What is a liter (L)?
- Description: Standard metric volume unit
- Symbol: L
- Common uses: Global liquid measurements, scientific use
- Definition: 1 cubic decimeter = 0.001 cubic meters
Conversion formula
The exact conversion relationship:
1 合 = 180.39 mL = 0.18039 L
liters = go × 0.18039
go = liters ÷ 0.18039
Example calculations
- Converting 5 go to liters:
5 合 × 0.18039 = 0.90195 L
That's roughly a 900mL bottle of sake - perfect for two people sharing.
- Reverse conversion: 2.5L to go:
2.5 L ÷ 0.18039 ≈ 13.85 合
Enough rice to make sushi for a family reunion!
Conversion tables
Japanese go to liters
| Go (合) | Liters (L) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.18039 |
| 2 | 0.36078 |
| 3 | 0.54117 |
| 4 | 0.72156 |
| 5 | 0.90195 |
| 10 | 1.8039 |
| 20 | 3.6078 |
| 50 | 9.0195 |
Liters to Japanese go
| Liters (L) | Go (合) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.77 |
| 1 | 5.54 |
| 1.8 | 10.0 |
| 5 | 27.7 |
| 10 | 55.4 |
Historical background
The go's story begins in the Edo period (from: 1603-1868) as part of Japan's shakkanhō measurement system. Originally based on the Chinese hou, it was standardized through rice measurements - 10 go made one shō, the daily rice ration for a samurai. When Japan adopted the metric system in 1891, they cleverly redefined traditional units using metric equivalents rather than abolishing them.
Fun fact: During WWII, the government used go measurements for rationing rice. Older Japanese still often describe their daily rice intake in go rather than grams!
Interesting facts?
- Sake symmetry: The standard 1.8L sake bottle contains exactly 10 go - a direct carryover from traditional measurements
- Rice math: 1 go of uncooked rice (≈150g) expands to 330g when cooked - enough for two modest servings
- Tea connection: Traditional chawan tea bowls hold about 0.3-0.5 go (54-90mL)
- Modern survival: Many Japanese rice cookers still include go measurements alongside metric markings
- Cultural math: The phrase "ichi-go ichi-e" (one time, one meeting) uses the same "go" character, symbolizing life's fleeting moments
FAQ
The go remains popular for traditional measurements like rice portions and sake brewing, preserving cultural heritage alongside metric units.
One Japanese go equals 180.39 milliliters, making it slightly smaller than an American cup (236.59 mL).
Yes, but for precision, convert to grams using rice's density (1 go ≈ 150g uncooked rice).
Historically yes, but since 1891, Japan standardized 1 go as exactly 180.39 mL through the Measurement Law.
Standard isshobin (1.8L sake bottles) hold exactly 10 go, making conversions easier for brewers and sellers.