Japanese Drugstore Guide: Finding Medicine by Active Ingredient
Quick answer
Match by active ingredient, not brand name. Painkillers, cold medicine, and stomach remedies are sold at drugstores with a green plus. Show the pharmacist your ingredient name and ask. See a doctor for anything serious.
Where do I buy medicine, and what should I match on?
In Japan you buy over-the-counter medicine at a drugstore (yakkyoku or doraggu sutoa), often marked with a green plus sign. The key rule for travellers: match by active ingredient, not by brand. Your usual brand name will not exist here, but the same active ingredient usually does.
Use this quick decision flow:
- Find the active ingredient on your usual medicine box (for example “ibuprofen”, “loperamide”, “cetirizine”).
- Write it down or show it on your phone.
- Go to a drugstore and show the ingredient name to staff or the pharmacist.
- Check the amount per tablet on the Japanese box — doses are sometimes lower than abroad.
- Ask the pharmacist before buying, especially if you take other medicines or are pregnant.
If your symptom is severe, lasting, or unusual, do not self-treat. See a doctor.
Which Japanese medicines match my usual ones?
The table below matches common needs to active ingredients you can look for. As of June 2026, these ingredients are generally available over the counter, but availability and strength vary by store and product. This is general information, not medical advice. Always ask the pharmacist and read the label.
| You usually take it for | Active ingredient to look for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pain or fever | Acetaminophen (paracetamol); ibuprofen; aspirin | Per-tablet dose is often lower than abroad; do not exceed the daily limit on the box |
| Cold and flu symptoms | Multi-ingredient cold remedies (sogo kanbo-yaku) | Read which symptoms each product targets; some combine pain, fever, and cough ingredients |
| Allergies and hay fever | Cetirizine; loratadine; fexofenadine | Sold over the counter; some need a pharmacist to be present |
| Upset stomach or indigestion | Famotidine; antacids (aluminium/magnesium salts) | For heartburn and acid stomach |
| Diarrhoea | Loperamide; berberine-type remedies | Avoid if you have a fever or blood in stool — see a doctor instead |
| Motion sickness | Dimenhydrinate; diphenhydramine | Take before travel, not after symptoms start |
When in doubt, show the box to the pharmacist and ask “Is this right for my symptom?” Many drugstores in cities have staff who can help in basic English or use a translation tablet.
How much medicine can I bring into Japan?
If you take regular medicine, bring enough for your trip — but stay within the limits. As of June 2026, the general personal-use rules are:
| Type of medicine | Amount allowed without special paperwork | If you exceed it |
|---|---|---|
| Over-the-counter medicine | Up to a 1-month supply (2 months for some) | Apply for a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate in advance |
| Prescription medicine | Up to a 1-month supply | Apply for a Yakkan Shoumei in advance |
| External use items (creams, eye drops) | Up to 24 units | Apply in advance |
Some medicines that are legal in your country are restricted or banned in Japan. This can include certain cold, sinus, and allergy medicines with pseudoephedrine, some codeine products, and several ADHD stimulant medicines. Do not assume your medicine is allowed.
To stay safe:
- Keep medicines in their original boxes with the ingredient list visible.
- Carry a doctor’s letter for any prescription medicine, ideally in English.
- Check the official MHLW and Japan Customs pages before you travel, and confirm anything you are unsure about.
What if I cannot find what I need, or it is not working?
Some situations need a doctor, not a drugstore:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Symptoms are severe, lasting more than a few days, or getting worse | See a doctor. Ask your hotel or use the JNTO medical institution guide. |
| You need a prescription-only medicine | See a doctor; pharmacists cannot sell these without one. |
| You ran out of a daily prescription medicine | See a doctor in Japan to get a local equivalent; bring your prescription details. |
| You have a high fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, or a bad allergic reaction | This may be an emergency. Call 119 for an ambulance, or call #7119 in many areas for medical advice. |
Pharmacists in Japan are trained and can guide you on the right product and dose, but they are not a substitute for a doctor. For anything serious, see a doctor. In an emergency, call 119.
Quick reference: drugstore survival
| Topic | Detail (as of June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Where to buy | Drugstore (green plus / yakkyoku / doraggu sutoa) |
| Match on | Active ingredient, not brand name |
| Ask | Show ingredient + symptom; ask the pharmacist before buying |
| Bringing your own | Up to ~1-month supply OTC and prescription; more needs a Yakkan Shoumei |
| Restricted drugs | Some pseudoephedrine, codeine, and stimulant medicines are limited or banned |
| Emergency number | 119 (ambulance); #7119 for medical advice in many areas |
Medicine rules and product availability change. Confirm with the official MHLW and Japan Customs sources before travel, and always ask the pharmacist or a doctor about your specific situation.
FAQ
Can I find ibuprofen and acetaminophen in Japan?
Yes. Both are sold over the counter at drugstores. Acetaminophen is often labelled 'acetaminophen' or 'paracetamol', and ibuprofen by name. Doses per tablet are often lower than in some other countries, so check the active-ingredient amount and ask the pharmacist.
How much medicine can I bring into Japan for personal use?
As of June 2026, general rules allow up to a 1-month supply of most over-the-counter medicines and a 1-month supply of prescription medicines for personal use without extra paperwork. Larger amounts or certain controlled drugs require an advance import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei). Confirm with the official source before you travel.
Are some common foreign medicines banned in Japan?
Yes. Some medicines that are legal elsewhere are restricted or banned in Japan, including certain cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine or codeine above set limits, and some ADHD stimulants. Do not assume a medicine is allowed. Check the official Japanese rules before travelling and carry a doctor's note for prescriptions.
Do I need a prescription to buy medicine at a Japanese drugstore?
Many everyday medicines are available without a prescription, but some require a pharmacist to be present and to ask you a few questions. These are sold only when a pharmacist is on duty. For prescription-only medicines you need to see a doctor first.
How do I ask for help if I do not speak Japanese?
Write down the active ingredient and your symptom, or show this on your phone. Many city drugstores have translation tablets or English-speaking staff. Point to the ingredient name on the box. When in doubt, ask the pharmacist, and see a doctor for severe or lasting symptoms.