List of Drugstores and Pharmacies in Japan
Japanese drugstores stock an extensive range of over the counter (OTC) medicine, healthcare products, cosmetics, household items, and even drinks and snacks. OTC Brands and medication ingredients can differ from what travelers may be use to in their home countries but pharmacists can often assist in finding an effective alternative. Household items and food products are often sold at discounted and most store offer tax-free shopping for tourists.
There are many small and large chain drugstores and pharmacies with some of the popular larger franchised drugstores are listed below:
 | Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マツモトキヨシ)
One of the most famous nationwide drugstore chains in Japan. They offer a huge variety of products especially, a wide selection of Japanese beauty products. |
 | Welcia (ウエルシア)
A drugstore chain centered around the Kanto and Kansai regions. Some branches are 24 hours. Along with medical products, Welcia offers a wide range of household items and dry food products. Similar to Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia is also a great shop for daily shopping. |
 | Tsuruha Drug ( ツルハグループ )
A nationwide drugstore company with many store brands including Tsuruha Drug, Kusuri no Fukutaro, Wants, and B&D Drug Store.
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 | Daikoku Drug (ダイコクドラッグ ) A nationwide drug chain, and concentrated around Kansai/Osaka. Has more of a warehouse look were a huge array of products are stacked high. |
 | Sun Drug (サンドラッグ) Another nationwide drugstore chain with an extensive range of products and daily necessities. |
 | KoKuMiN (コクミン) One of largest pharmacies in Tokyo, with locations in most major hubs such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Ebisu. The Takeshita Street store, in Harajuku, has a large make-up testing area and displays the latest trendy beauty products and coloured contact lenses. |
 | トモズ – Tomod’s Smaller in scale to its pair above mostly located in the Kanto area but found in close proximity to many stations.
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For English speaking pharmacies in Tokyo:
| National Azabu Supermarket Pharmacy 9 am–8 pm, Monday–Sunday. 03-3442-3181 4-5-2 Minami-azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo A pharmacy located in a well-known supermarket in Minami Azabu, which is popular with the expat community because of their wide range of imported foods. |
| Yakuju Pharmacy Roppongi Izumi Garden 10 am–6 pm, Monday–Friday. 03-5737-9116 1-6-1 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo Located on the 4th floor of the Izumi Garden complex, across the road from Roppongi-Itchome Station. They can fill prescriptions from any doctor in Japan. They also offer over-the-counter medicine and other common medical supplies. |
| The Pharmacy at Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic 9 am–5:30 pm, Monday–Friday, 9 am–1 pm, Saturday. 03-3434-5817 32 Shiba Koen Building, 3-4-30 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo An on-site pharmacy at Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic a popular clinic for English speaking doctors. For more information on English speaking doctors, hospitals and clinics please check here. < Coming soon > |
How do I refill foreign prescriptions in Japan?
As Japanese pharmacies do not accept foreign prescriptions, you will need to have a prescription issued by a Japanese doctor. Many foreign brands of medications are not available in Japan. Instead, your doctor will try to prescribe similar or the same effect as your foreign medication. It is recommended to bring your foreign prescription and letter from your home country’s doctor, or your actual medication when visiting a Japanese doctor.
To help you find an English-speaking doctor, hospital, or clinic please check here. < coming soon >
Can I bring medicine with me too Japan?
In general, you are able to bring prescription medicine with you to Japan without any special procedures as long as they meet the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare following conditions:
- For your personal use only
- An oral or an external medicine, not an injection
- Not a prohibited or controlled substance in Japan
- Up to 1 month’s supply only.
If you need more than one months’ supply of medicine a Yakkan Shomei (薬監証明) is needed. Some common medicine is also prohibited. You can find out more here <Bringing Medicine with you to Japan>
As a side note, it is worth checking the emergency numbers in Japan < Emergency numbers in Japan > just in case.