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Medicines to bring & non-prescription medicine in Japan

This page is general travel guidance, not medical advice. If you have a chronic condition, bring a summary of your diagnosis/medications and ask your clinician what is safe for you.

PART 1 — BEFORE YOU PACK: IMPORTANT LEGAL / CUSTOMS RULES

  1. Personal import rules (the “one-month / two-month” rule)
    Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare explains that you can bring medicines for personal use without an import confirmation only up to certain limits (examples: prescription drugs up to 1 month supply; other drugs/quasi-drugs up to 2 months supply). If you exceed those limits, you generally need to apply for Import Confirmation in advance.
  2. Some medicines need special permission (and some may be prohibited)
    If your medicine falls under “Narcotics” or “Stimulants’ Raw Materials,” you need permission before entering/leaving Japan, and the Narcotics Control Department lists examples such as codeine and pseudoephedrine (and others). In addition, many sleep medicines and anti-anxiety medicines fall under “psychotropics.” Examples often include methylphenidate and zolpidem, and some benzodiazepines (Learn more). These are not “free to carry”: quantity limits and documentation requirements may apply, and rules differ by ingredient.
    Practical takeaway: DON’T GUESS. Check the official list/requirements before you fly. For example, Japan publishes an official “Controlled Substances List” covering narcotics, stimulants / raw materials, psychotropics, cannabis, and opium categories. Some substances on the list are marked as prohibited for import/export. If your ingredient appears there, follow the official procedure
  3. Pack smart (so you don’t get stuck at the airport)
  • Keep medicines in original packaging.
  • Carry them in your hand luggage (so you don’t lose them if checked baggage is delayed).
  • Bring a prescription or a doctor’s note listing the generic name and dose (helpful if questions come up, and useful if you need care in Japan).

PART 2 — WHAT TO BRING (PRACTICAL “TRAVEL KIT” IDEAS)

This isn’t a “buy everything” list. It’s a “bring what you already tolerate and know works for you” list.

A) Motion sickness (very practical in Kyoto)
Kyoto travel often involves buses and winding routes. If you are prone to motion sickness, bringing a motion sickness medicine that you already know you tolerate can save your day.

TIP: If you buy motion sickness medicine in Japan, staff may ask your age and whether you need a drowsy or non-drowsy option. (Language can be a barrier—see “How to buy OTC” below.)

B) Pain / fever (painkillers)
If you have a pain reliever/fever reducer that you tolerate well (and that is permitted to bring), it’s worth packing a small amount. It’s especially helpful for travel headaches, sore muscles, and fever.

TIP: Japan has OTC pain relievers too, but brands/strengths differ. If you rely on a specific product, bring enough for the trip (within import limits).

C) Sleep support (jet lag / temporary insomnia)
Important distinction:

  • “Prescription sleeping pills” may be regulated and can require special handling/permission depending on the ingredient (check official rules).
  • For temporary sleeplessness, Japan also sells OTC “sleep improvement” products (睡眠改善薬). For example, SS Pharmaceutical’s “Drewell (ドリエル)” is an OTC product classified as a Class 2 medicine.

Practical tip: If your goal is “first-night jet lag support,” OTC sleep aids are not the same as prescription hypnotics. Use them cautiously, avoid alcohol, and don’t take them if you must drive.

D) Stomach / acid reflux medicine (PPI is the classic trap)
Many travelers assume they can buy the same acid reflux medicine OTC in every country. Japan is different.

Until recently, PPIs were not an easy OTC option. As of 2025, Japan began launching PPI “switch OTC” products as “pharmaceuticals requiring guidance” (要指導医薬品), which means pharmacist explanation is required at the time of sale. Eisai’s Pariet S (rabeprazole) launched as a guidance-required medicine, and Eisai explicitly notes it requires pharmacist explanation.
Sato Pharmaceutical also announced an omeprazole product as “要指導医薬品” and describes it as available without a prescription (but in the guidance-required category).

Practical takeaway:

  • If you rely on a specific PPI abroad, don’t assume you can easily replace it OTC in Japan.
  • Consider bringing what you need within legal limits, or be prepared to speak to a pharmacist and/or see a doctor.

The other page explains common OTC meds abroad that are hard to buy OTC in Japan (Practical List + Alternatives).

PART 3 — WHAT YOU CAN BUY IN JAPAN WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION (OTC BASICS)

Japan’s OTC medicines are risk-classified. The key traveler point is simple:

Some OTC medicines require a pharmacist to be present and to provide information.

A major industry guidance document notes that pharmacists can market “guidance-mandatory drugs” and “type 1 non-prescription drugs,” while type 2 and type 3 can be handled by pharmacists or registered sellers.

TIP (why this matters at night):
Even if a drugstore is open late, some medicines won’t be sold when a pharmacist is unavailable. A travel guide summarizes that Class 1 OTC drugs require explanation by a pharmacist and are not sold during hours when a pharmacist is unavailable.
And convenience stores generally cannot sell OTC medicines unless the legal requirements (including pharmacist availability) are met.

Bottom line:

  • “Open store” does not always mean “you can buy the medicine you want right now.”
  • This is especially important before long weekends/holidays.

PART 4 — WHERE TO BUY: PHARMACY VS DRUGSTORE VS CONVENIENCE STORE

  1. Pharmacy / drugstore with a dispensing counter
    Best option for anything complicated (and for advice). If you need prescription filling, not every chain drugstore accepts prescriptions at every branch (look for a dispensing counter/signs such as 調剤薬局 / 処方箋受付).
  2. Convenience stores
    Selection is limited. Don’t rely on them for “real pharmacy” needs—especially at night.
  3. “24-hour” expectations
    Even in big cities, a true “24-hour pharmacy with a pharmacist always present” may not be available where you are staying. Plan as if it won’t be.

PART 5 — HOW TO BUY OTC MEDICINE IN JAPAN (LANGUAGE-SAFE STRATEGY)

If you don’t speak Japanese, don’t try to “explain everything.” Do this instead:

Step 1: Show your symptoms in writing (English + machine-translated Japanese)
Fill the English template first, translate it to Japanese, print both, and bring both pages. Staff can cross-check quickly.

English template:
Symptoms: ____________________
Since when: ___________________
Fever: Yes / No (highest: ____ °C)
Drug allergies: Yes (________) / No
Current medications: ____________________
Medical history / chronic conditions: ____________________

Japanese template:
症状：＿＿＿＿
いつから：＿＿＿＿
熱：あり／なし　（最高＿＿℃）
薬アレルギー：あり（＿＿）／なし
現在飲んでいる薬：＿＿＿＿
持病：＿＿＿＿

Step 2: Use short phrases

  • これをください。 (Kore o kudasai.) = I’d like this, please.
  • この症状に合う薬はありますか？ (Kono shōjō ni au kusuri wa arimasu ka?) = Do you have medicine for these symptoms?
  • 英語は大丈夫ですか？ (Eigo wa daijōbu desu ka?) = Is English OK?

TIP: Even if spoken English is difficult, written English may work better. Show your note.

PART 6 — HOLIDAYS / WEEKENDS: THE REAL TRAP

If you wait until the last minute, you may lose time to:

  • closed pharmacies,
  • pharmacist-unavailable hours,
  • out-of-stock items,
  • and holiday schedules.

Practical advice:

  • Buy your “must-have” OTC items early in your trip (or bring them).
  • Before long holidays, don’t delay pharmacy errands.

FAQ

Q1: Can I bring my medicine into Japan?
A: Yes in many cases, but Japan has import limits and special rules. Prescription drugs up to 1 month supply and other drugs/quasi-drugs up to 2 months supply can be brought without import confirmation; beyond that, you generally need Import Confirmation.

Q2: Are some medicines restricted or prohibited?
A. Yes. Medicines categorized as narcotics or stimulants’ raw materials require permission, and official guidance lists examples like codeine and pseudoephedrine among controlled categories.

Q3: Can I buy “PPI” heartburn medicine without a prescription in Japan?
A. Some PPI products became available as “pharmaceuticals requiring guidance” (要指導医薬品), which require pharmacist explanation at purchase (e.g., Pariet S).

Q4: Can I buy sleep medicine without a prescription?
A: Japan sells OTC “sleep improvement” products for temporary sleeplessness (e.g., Drewell/ドリエル is OTC and Class 2), which are different from prescription hypnotics.

Q5: Why mention “pharmacist required”?
A: Because some medicines cannot be sold when a pharmacist is not available, even if the store is open.

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