Drugstores and Medication in Japan

What kind of medication to bring and what to include in a first-aid kit are important questions when planning a trip to Japan. Broadly speaking, it is recommended to bring the essential items to treat minor injuries or illnesses, so as to avoid an emergency trip to a Japanese drugstore, incurring possible misunderstandings due to the language barrier and different brand names for drugs. It can also be convenient to hire a bilingual guide to help with Japanese translation in case of a medical emergency.

Medicines sold in Western countries and in Japan are not always equivalent, especially regarding dosage of active molecules. A well-know example is acetaminophen (paracetamol): Japan’s tablets for adults typically have a lower dosage than tablets in Western countries.

We tried to put together some tips and advice to manage a possible ongoing medical treatment during a touristic travel, and to buy over-the-counter medicine in Japan when needed.

Traveling with medication for an ongoing treatment

Travelers can enter Japanese territory carrying their own drugs for up to 1-month’s worth treatment, without applying for an advance authorization and without having to prove the prescription. However, we recommend traveling with the original document of the prescription anyway:

• In paper form, signed by the prescribing physician;
• Stating the name of every drug needing a prescription, its quantity and way of use;
• Stating the medical diagnosis for which the treatment is prescribed; and,
• Stating the patient’s identity.

The prescription should preferably be written or translated into English.

If the quantity of medicine needed exceeds the 1-month threshold, obtaining the Yunyu Kakunin-sho, a certificate of drug import confirmation, is required before going to Japan. This document is also necessary when traveling with a syringe used as a medical device. It must be shown at the customs 🛂 checkpoint when entering the Japanese territory (see below on how to get the certificate).

Controlled and prohibited substances in Japan

The 1-month’s worth prescription medication rule doesn’t apply to chemical substances that fall 🍁 under the narcotics, psychotropics or stimulants categories, that is to say drugs that can alter a person’s perception.

Japan’s Narcotics Control Department (NCD in English) has an official list in English published on its website of the molecules that are restricted and of those that are strictly prohibited on the Japanese territory, which are mainly:

• Opium;
• Heroin;
• Amphetamine and methamphetamine;
• Cannabis;
• Ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine; and,
• Any opiate drug (codeine, morphine).

Consequently, some pharmaceutical products commonly found in Europe or North America are prohibited in Japan, especially pain medication and cough suppressant containing codeine (regardless of the dosage), such as, but not limited to:

• Co-Tipol;
• Cough syrups Robitussin AC, Guaiatussin AC; and,
• Tussipax tablets.

All opiate pain killers are therefore to leave at home, even when they were duly prescribed by a physician. We recommend checking thoroughly the contents of each of the medicine you wish to bring in Japan. The Japanese authorities have a zero tolerance policy regarding the possession of narcotics.

Applying for a "Yunyu Kakunin-sho" certificate

If you have an ongoing treatment including controlled substances and / or for a duration longer than 1 month, you have to apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate to be allowed the import and export of these drugs.

Application is to be made at one of the 8 Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare in Japan, to select according to the landing airport, for example:

• If landing in Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda airports, contact the Kanto-Shin’etsu Office.
• If landing in Osaka’s KIX airport, contact the Kinki Office.

Then, the certificate request is to be sent to an email address according to the category of the drug, namely:

• For narcotics and stimulants, application must be sent to:
  • tokyoncd@mhlw.go.jp, if arriving in Tokyo;
  • osakancd@mhlw.go.jp, if arriving in Osaka.
• For psychotropics, the request must be sent to yakkan@mhlw.go.jp if the quantity to carry is superior to 1 month’s worth of treatment, or / and if the dosages are superior to the amount shown here.
• For other medication to carry in quantites superior to a 1 month treatment, the application must be sent to:
  • yakkan@mhlw.go.jp, if arriving in Tokyo;
  • kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp, if arriving in Osaka.

This procedure is only available in English or in Japanese, and should be made at least 1 month prior to the arrival date in Japan. The list of documents and explanations on how to fill and submit them are available on this page. Since February 1rst, 2023, the Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate application can also be processed through an online app.

There is no particular health hazard in Japan, and no specific vaccine required beside the ones used in Europe and North America. Make sure to check the current health situation of the country before going, using official sources such as the information provided by your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan.

Your travel 1rst-aid kit

The travel pharmacy kit should be prepared in advance, and include:

• Any ongoing treatment (for chronic disease, birth control, etc.); and,
• Essential medicines and your usual pharmaceutical products to relief common minor ailments (self-medication).

This first-aid kit should be adapted according to:

• The health condition of the travelers and of the most vulnerable persons traveling with them: families with babies, toddlers, elderly persons or persons with reduced mobility;
• The season of the travel (if the weather is rather hot or cold) and the duration of the trip; and,
• According to the activities planned: mountain hiking, skiing, diving, swimming, etc.

It is best to sort the kit in 2 parts, one to be packed in the checked baggage, and another to place in the carry-on baggage, keeping in mind the usual airlines’ limitations for liquids and so on (max 100ml bottles, no sharp objects or flammable products, etc.) Prescriptions should be carried with essential travel ID documents.

We recommend the following, non-exhaustive list of medicine to bring with you for a trip in Japan:

• Your usual pain killer: acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen or aspirin);
• Arnica ointment for swelling or bruises;
• Syrup or tablets for sore throat and cough;
• Antidiarrhea medication, laxative and anti-spasmodic drugs for upset stomach and to ease bowel movements (like: Pepto-bismol, Imodium, Nexium, Phazym, etc.);
• Anti-nausea medicine for motion sickness;
• Saline solution for nose and eyes cleaning (or eye drops);
• An over-the-counter antiseptic / disinfectant for superficial wounds;
• Hand sanitizer;
• Adhesive bandages and sterile compresses;
• Personal hygiene items: sanitary pads, period underwear, tampons, condoms;
• A cold & hot pad for swelling or muscle pain;
• Paper tissues;
• Tweezers;
• A thermometer;
• When traveling in spring and summer:
  • An SPF 50+ sunscreen;
  • A mosquito repellent and ointment for bites and stings relief;
  • An anti-histaminic for pollen allergies;
  • Soothing cream or lotion for sunburn;
  • Antivenom for snake bites;
  • Fine-tipped tweezers for tick removal;
• When traveling in autumn or in winter:
  • A lip balm;
  • Moisturizing hands cream;
  • A rubbing balm to ease breathing in case of a cold;
• And, items suitable for babies or young children when applicable:
  • Oral rehydration solution;
  • Diapers;
  • Ointment for diaper rash;
  • Etc.
• Possibly antibiotics (Amoxicillin) with your physician’s permission.

For convenience and easier hygiene, we recommend using travel-size items: single doses, wipes, tablets, and gels or creams in smaller containers.

You can also have your blood type card at the ready and subscribe to a sanitary repatriation insurance for the best protection in case of hospitalization.

Over-the-counter drugs in Japan

There are several large drugstore (ドラッグストア) chains in Japan, that sell in the same shop:

• Over-the-counter and prescription medicines;
• Various health and hygiene-related products: cosmetics (skincare), body hygiene (toothpaste, toothbrush), small medical items (adhesive bandages);
• Basic necessities products: period pads, diapers for children, face masks, etc.; and,
• Dietary supplements for a health boost.

Stores can be easily found in the shopping districts, airports and at the exit of Japanese stations. The most popular brands are:

• Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マツモトキヨシ), also called MatsuKiyo, the most widespread brand in the archipelago;
• Welcia (ウエルシア);
• Tsuruha Drug (ツルハドラッグ);
• Cosmos Pharmaceutical (コスモス薬品);
• Create SD (クリエイトSD); and,
• Sundrug (サンドラッグ).

Their storefronts look more like a ¥100 Shop or a sundry store rather than an official pharmacy with a distinctive logo and color like in some European countries.

Pharmacy aisles / basic hygiene products can also be found in more surprising places, such as Bic Camera 📷 or Yodobashi, that have a selection of basic over-the-counter and self-medication drugs.

Over-the-counter medication usually cover a smaller surface and are sometimes located behind a counter or sold only by a pharmacist, that is to say only on the daytime working hours, even if the store closes later at night.

The pain medications the most commonly used in Japan are often brands well-known in the United States and Canada, but lesser known in Europe:

• Ibuprofène (イブプロフェン) is the most widespread pain relief drug in the archipelago and is sold under the EVE (イブ) and Naron Ace (ナロンエース) commercial names;
• Aspirin is easy to find in the Bufferin (バファリン) brand;
• Acetaminophen (アセトアミノフェン) is a lesser used pain killer and antipyretic in Japan, and is mainly sold under the brand names Tylenol (タイレノール) or Popadon A (ポパドンA).

These drugs help relieve the most common ailments such as period pains, fevers or colds, light digestive disorders and headaches. A side note regarding headaches: when they happen in summer they can be symptoms of heat stroke and dehydration; it is then recommended to rest in a shaded place, drink plenty of water, and to avoid taking a pain killer too fast as it may hide another cause for the headache.

While in Japan, if you have any doubt about the medication you need or if you have a more complex health condition, it is highly recommended to be examined by a doctor. Most of countries usually have a list of healthcare providers receiving tourists available on the website of their embassy / consulate in Japan. Once you get the appropriate prescription, you can go to a pharmacy, called yakkyoku (薬局) located near hospitals and clinics in Japan that usually only delivers prescription drugs.