Japanese for Drugstores — Products, Medicine & Tax Refunds | Nihongo to Japan
Japanese drugstores are a must-visit for travelers — from fever reducers and stomach medicine to skincare and all sorts of Japan-exclusive products, the range is huge. A few basic questions help you find what you want, confirm how to use it and check out smoothly.
Asking about medicine
- 風邪薬はありますか？ (かぜぐすりはありますか) — Do you have cold medicine?
- 胃腸薬はどこですか？ (いちょうやくはどこですか) — Where is the stomach/digestive medicine?
- 熱さまし薬をください (ねつさましぐすりをください) — I'd like a fever reducer
- この薬はどう使いますか？ (このくすりはどうつかいますか) — How do I use this medicine?
- 一日に何回飲めばいいですか？ (いちにちになんかいのめばいいですか) — How many times a day should I take it?
- 目薬はありますか？ (めぐすりはありますか) — Do you have eye drops?
- 絆創膏はどこですか？ (ばんそうこうはどこですか) — Where are the adhesive bandages?
Asking about cosmetics & skincare
- これは日本限定ですか？ (これはにほんげんていですか) — Is this a Japan-exclusive item?
- サンプルはありますか？ (さんぷるはありますか) — Do you have samples?
- 日焼け止めはどこですか？ (ひやけどめはどこですか) — Where is the sunscreen?
- 敏感肌用はありますか？ (びんかんはだようはありますか) — Do you have one for sensitive skin?
- おすすめはどれですか？ (おすすめはどれですか) — Which one do you recommend?
Bringing medicine home
- 免税手続きはできますか？ (めんぜいてつづきはできますか) — Can I do the tax-free procedure?
- この薬は台湾に持ち帰れますか？ (このくすりはたいわんにもちかえれますか) — Can I bring this medicine back to Taiwan?
When bringing medicine home, keep each item to about a two-month supply, and be careful with medicines containing controlled ingredients (e.g. sleeping pills). Check your home country's latest import rules before you travel.
Travel tips
- Common chains: Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マツモトキヨシ), Tsuruha (ツルハドラッグ), SUNDRUG, Welcia — each often has different deals
- For pain/fever, EVE (イブ) and Bufferin are popular; for stomach trouble, try Ohta's Isan or Hyakusougan (百草丸), both well-reviewed by travelers
- When bringing medicine home, keep each item to about a two-month supply; check your country's rules for controlled ingredients before you go
FAQ
Do I need a prescription at a Japanese drugstore?
No — general cold medicine, stomach medicine and topical treatments are OTC (over-the-counter) and can be bought straight off the shelf. Prescription drugs (処方薬) issued by hospitals aren't sold at ordinary drugstores.
What are the most popular drugstore buys in Japan?
Popular items include EVE painkillers, Ohta's Isan stomach powder, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical products (Netsusama Sheet cooling-fever patches, the Inochi-no-Haha line, deodorizers), Biore sunscreen, the Hada Labo hydrating line, and various brightening toners. Look up the Japanese product names before you go to make them easier to find.