Pharmacy in Japan: Tips and Medicines to Take

Travelling to Japan is a unique adventure, but it is essential to prepare for any future health. In a country where the language and drug dosages may differ from those used, having your own pharmacy kit helps to avoid inconvenience and to stay calm in case of small health problems. Drug names and some molecules may vary in Japan, which may complicate the search for equivalent products in local pharmacies.

Bringing medicines to Japan: Regulations

Authorized quantity and orders required

Japan allows travellers to enter with their own medicines for a month of personal treatment, without prior authorisation. For greater safety, it is advisable to include in your luggage a prescription written in English and signed by your attending doctor. This order must include:

• The name of each drug and its dosage.
• The medical indication of each treatment.
• The patient’s identity.

If the quantity of medicines exceeds one month, or if syringes are required for medical treatment, it is mandatory to apply for a certificate of authorization to import medicines, calledYunyu Kakunin-sho. This document must be presented at the customs check on arrival.

Prohibited drugs and substances

Japan has strict regulations on substances considered to be narcotic or psychotropic, even in a medical setting. Medicines containing codeine (used for pain and some cough syrups) or pseudoephedrine (present in some decongestants) are prohibited on Japanese territory. As a result, products such as Codoliprane, Neo-Codion or Active Rume should be excluded from your luggage, and it is essential to check the composition of each medication before departure.

How to obtain a Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate?

If you have to take medicines requiring controlled substances or in quantities greater than one month, the Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate application is essential. This request should be addressed to one of the regional health and social offices, depending on where you arrive. For example, for a landing at Narita or Haneda airport in Tokyo, contact the Kanto-Shinetsu Office, while for Kansai airport in Osaka, contact the Kinki Office.

Depending on the nature of your processing, there are several specific email addresses to submit your request, including:

• For narcotics and stimulants: send your request totokyoncd@mhlw.go.jpfor Tokyo orosakancd@mhlw.go.jpFor Osaka.
• For large quantities of psychotropic substances or medicinal products: address your request toyakkan@mhlw.go.jp(Tokyo and Osaka).

This request is recommended at least one month before your departure. An online application now simplifies this process, offering a quick alternative to obtaining the required certificate.

Recommended Content for a Travel Pharmacy Kit

Essential medicines

• Painkillers: like paracetamol (Doliprane, Efferalgan) or ibuprofen.
• Antiseptic: in the form of spray or disinfectant wipes to treat superficial wounds.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: in case of muscle or joint pain.
• Treatments for digestive disordersantidiarrhoeal (Smecta), laxative, anti-nausea, and anti-spasmodic (Spasfon).

Hygiene products and other comfort items

• Hydroalcoholic geland antibacterial wipes.
• Dressings, sterile compresses and bandagesfor minor injuries.
• Solar protection productsin case of travel in spring and summer.
• Lip balm and moisturizing creamfor colder seasons.

Adaptations by season and planned activities

• Spring and summer: sun protection (SPF 50+), mosquito protection, and antihistamines for allergies.
• Autumn and winter: breathing balm, moisturizing cream and relief of lips and hands.

Travel formats are to be preferred for their practicality, such as uniidoses, individual wipes, and mini-flakes for liquids in the cabin.

Getting medicines in Japan

When you travel to Japan, you will notice that pharmacies, called “drugstores” (doraggu sutoa), are omnipresent, not only in shopping centres and at the exit of stations, but also in many shopping streets. These stores offer a wide range of products ranging from over-the-counter drugs, parapharmaceuticals to personal care items and even food supplements.

Among the most common channels in Japan are:

• Matsumoto Kiyoshi() : The most famous and most present channel across the country. It is easily identifiable by its red and white front.
• Welcia() : Another well-known sign, which offers medicines as well as care and hygiene products.
• Tsuruha Drug() : Very common in urban areas.
• Cosmos Pharmaceutical() : Less known but offering a full range of health products.
• Create SD(SSD) : A major player in the Japanese pharmaceutical sector.
• Sundrug() : Present in large cities, especially in the city centre and in shopping areas.

These stores offer over-the-counter medicines, mainly for common ailments such as pain, digestive disorders, colds or menstrual pain. They also offer parapharmaceutical products such as toothpastes, beauty masks, skin care products, and even food supplements.

Common over-the-counter medicines

In Japan, some medicines are common in Asia but less well known in Europe. The following are the main options for routine treatments:

• IbuprofenAce’s name is commonly sold under the EVE brand name and Naron Ace brand name.
• Aspirin, available under the name Bufferin.
• Paracetamol, in the form of tablets of acetaminophen, marketed under the Tylenol brand name, or Popadon A brand name.

How to ask in a drugstore in Japan

When you are in adrugstorein Japan and that you need help to find a medicine, it is useful to know a few simple sentences in Japanese. You can speak directly to an employee using polite expressions. Here are some examples to help you find your way around:

• (Sumimasen, [drug] wa doko desu ka?)
  Excuse me, where is [the medicine]?
• (Kaze gusuri o sagashiteimasu.)
  I’m looking for a cold medicine.
• (Itamidome wa doko desu ka?)
  Where can I find painkillers?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can also ask an employee to help you directly using this sentence:

• (Tasukete itadakemasu ka?)
  Can you help me?

Employees of Japanese drugstores are generally willing to help, and even if you don’t speak Japanese fluently, using these basic phrases will help you understand yourself better. If you do not find the solution, do not hesitate to consult the caisse, where staff can often guide you or recommend a suitable medicine.

These medications help treat menstrual pain, mild headache, and transient fevers. Note that during the summer, heat strokes are common and cause symptoms similar to headache. In this case, hydration and rest are more recommended than the use of an analgesic.

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