Walk into a Japanese drugstore and you will immediately feel overwhelmed — and then hooked. Rows of iconic skincare, eye drops in dozens of varieties, stomach medicines that actually work, and beauty products you genuinely cannot find at this quality anywhere else. Japanese drugstores are one of the most rewarding (and confusing) shopping experiences for tourists.
This guide covers the major chains, the products worth buying, how to ask for what you need, and what you can and cannot bring home.
1. The Major Drugstore Chains
| Chain | Strengths | Tourist-Friendliness |
|---|---|---|
| Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マツモトキヨシ) | Largest chain; widest selection; own brand products (MK) | Tax-free counters in tourist areas; some English signage |
| Sundrug (サンドラッグ) | Competitive prices; strong in medicines | Common near stations; accepts major foreign cards |
| Welcia (ウエルシア) | 24-hour locations; strong in cosmetics | Many suburban locations; Waon card discounts |
| Cosmos (コスモス) | Lowest prices; strong in Kyushu / Tohoku | Regional chain; limited English; cash-preferred |
| Don Quijote (ドン・キホーテ) | Not a pharmacy but sells tax-free cosmetics and toiletries | Very tourist-friendly; 24-hour; excellent for souvenirs |
2. Must-Buy Products
Skincare & Cosmetics
Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion
~¥900 / 170ml
Japan's best-selling moisturizer. Contains five types of hyaluronic acid. Layers under any moisturizer. Light, no fragrance. The blue "super" version is the fan favourite.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+
~¥900 / 70g
Japan's most-viral sunscreen globally. Weightless, no white cast, non-greasy. Consistently rated one of the world's best sunscreens by dermatologists. Buy multiple.
Rohto Mentholatum Lip Baby
~¥300
A smooth, effective lip balm available in peach, honey, and original. The original is uniquely cooling. A beloved souvenir that fits in a pocket.
Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip Face Wash
~¥700 / 120g
Dense, silk-protein-enriched foam cleanser. Gentle on skin, excellent for removing makeup residue. Popular with all skin types.
Medicine & Health
Eve A (イブA) — Pain Relief
~¥900 / 60 tablets
Japan's most popular OTC painkiller. Contains ibuprofen (150mg) + caffeine. Works quickly for headaches, period pain, toothache. The gold standard.
Seirogan (正露丸) — Stomach / Diarrhea
~¥800
A traditional Japanese stomach medicine using wood creosote. Strong smell, but travellers swear by it for stomach upsets from unfamiliar food. The black pills are unmistakable.
Lulu Attack EX — Cold Medicine
~¥1,200 / 12 packets
Japan's top-selling cold/flu multi-symptom relief. Covers fever, runny nose, sore throat, and cough. Effective and fast-acting.
Rohto Z! Eye Drops
~¥1,500 / 12ml
Intensely cooling OTC eye drops. Seven levels of cooling intensity (Z! is the strongest). Popular with contact lens wearers. The sensation surprises first-time users — start with a lower level.
3. How to Ask for What You Need
If you need medicine for a specific symptom, use these phrases at the counter. Staff at major chains are accustomed to non-Japanese-speaking customers.
| Symptom | Japanese | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | 頭が痛い | Atama ga itai |
| Stomach ache | お腹が痛い | Onaka ga itai |
| Cold / Fever | 風邪・熱 | Kaze / Netsu |
| Diarrhea | 下痢 | Geri |
| Allergy / Hay fever | アレルギー・花粉症 | Arerugii / Kafunshō |
| Nausea | 吐き気 | Hakike |
| Bug bite / itch | 虫刺され | Mushi sasare |
4. What You Cannot Bring Home
Japan has some OTC products that are controlled substances in other countries:
- Medicines containing pseudoephedrine (some cold medicines) — illegal to import into Japan and some Asian countries; check before purchasing.
- Codeine-containing cough syrups — banned for import to many countries including Singapore, UAE, South Korea. Declare at customs if in doubt.
- Cosmetics in large quantities — personal-use amounts are fine; buying 20+ units of the same product may be flagged as commercial import in your home country.
Conclusion
Japanese drugstores reward exploration. Set aside at least 30 minutes, pick up a basket, and browse — especially the skincare and eye drop aisles. Staff are helpful even with language barriers, and the products are genuinely world-class. Your suitcase will thank you.
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