Articles
Practical guides written and fact-checked by a licensed Japanese pharmacist.
Japanese sunscreen guide: Anessa, Biore UV, ALLIE β a pharmacist explains how to choose
A Japanese pharmacist explains how to read SPF/PA labels, chemical vs. mineral sunscreens, water-resistant types, options for kids and sensitive skin, and the most popular drugstore brands β Anessa, Biore UV, ALLIE, Skin Aqua, Nivea UV, and CurΓ©l.
Summer skin trouble in Japan: a pharmacist's OTC guide to bug bites, heat rash, and itchy skin (for adults)
A Japanese pharmacist explains over-the-counter creams and ointments in Japan for mosquito bites, black-fly and caterpillar stings, heat rash (asemo), and contact dermatitis β including topical steroid strengths, when to use Muhi vs. Furucort f, and when to see a doctor.
Japanese Kampo OTC: A Pharmacist's Beginner Guide to Kakkonto, Shoseiryuto, Goreisan & More
A licensed Japanese pharmacist's guide to over-the-counter kampo medicines sold at Japanese drugstores. Seven key formulas β Kakkonto for early cold, Shoseiryuto for hay fever, Goreisan for hangover, Keishi-bukuryo-gan for menstrual symptoms, and more β with safety notes on licorice and ephedra.
Hangover, Motion Sickness & Jet Lag OTC Guide in Japan: Hepalyse, Ukon, Travelmin & More
A Japanese pharmacist's guide to hangover drinks (Hepalyse, Ukon no Chikara), motion sickness OTC (Travelmin, Anelon Niscap), and jet lag tips β what's available, what works, and what U.S. travelers need to know about melatonin in Japan.
What Is It Called in Japan? Tylenol, Advil, Mucinex, NyQuil & 25+ U.S. OTC Brands
A Japanese pharmacist matches 30+ U.S. OTC brands β Tylenol, Advil, NyQuil, Mucinex, Pepto-Bismol, Benadryl, Imodium and more β to their Japanese equivalents, with active ingredients, OTC class, and where to buy.
Prescription vs OTC in Japan: What You Can (and Can't) Buy at Pharmacies
A Japanese pharmacist explains which medicines need a doctor's visit in Japan, which are over-the-counter, and what travelers canβor can'tβbring through customs.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding in Japan? OTC Medicine Guide for Foreign Moms
Pregnant or breastfeeding in Japan? Don't self-medicate. A licensed Japanese pharmacist explains who to ask, Japan's free national drug-info service for pregnancy, and how to talk to a drugstore pharmacist.
OTC Medicine for Children in Japan: A Pharmacist's Guide for Foreign Parents
Pediatric OTC in Japan β how to find acetaminophen, why aspirin is off-limits, and how Japanese product lines for kids differ. Age limits, brand traps, and when to see a doctor.
Japanese Pain Relief Patches: NSAIDs Guide (Salonpas, Loxonin Tape, Voltaren)
A pharmacist's NSAIDs comparison of Japanese pain relief patches β Salonpas, Feitas, Loxonin Tape, and Voltaren EX β with OTC class, ingredients, and the photosensitivity warning every traveler should know.
Japanese Eye Drops Guide: Rohto, Sante, Smile β How to Pick the Right One
Japanese drugstores carry dozens of eye drop varieties. A pharmacist's guide to picking the right one by symptom β fatigue, dryness, allergies, contact-lens use β plus cooling levels, preservatives, and OTC classification.
How to See a Doctor in Japan: First-Visit Checklist, Reception Flow, and What Foreigners Need to Know
A pharmacist's guide for foreign residents and visitors to seeing a doctor in Japan β picking the right department, what to bring, the reception-to-checkout flow, finding English-speaking clinics, and what to do at night or on holidays.
Types of Pharmacies in Japan: Drugstores, Dispensing Pharmacies, and Where to Buy What
A pharmacist's guide to where foreigners can buy medicine in Japan β drugstores vs dispensing pharmacies, convenience stores, the difference between yakuzaishi and toroku-hanbaisha, and how to fill a prescription.
Stomach Medicine in Japan: OTC Guide for Upset Stomach, Diarrhea, and Heartburn
A pharmacist's guide to Japanese OTC stomach medicines (Gaster 10, Stoppa, Biofermin S, Seirogan, Ohta's Isan), organized by symptom for travelers and residents.
Hay Fever Medicine in Japan: Allegra, Claritin, and Alesion Guide
A pharmacist's guide to OTC hay fever medicines available in Japan (Allegra FX, Claritin EX, Alesion 20), including ingredients, drowsiness, and how to buy them.
Cold Medicine in Japan: What Foreigners Need to Know
Confused by Japanese cold medicine? Learn which OTC drugs work for your symptoms, how to read labels, and what to tell the pharmacist. Pharmacist-reviewed guide.
Today's OTC Spotlight: Loxonin S
A pharmacist's quick guide to Loxonin S β one of the most popular pain relievers in Japan β including how it works, who it's for, and precautions.
Tylenol or Paracetamol in Japan? Look for Acetaminophen
Tylenol and paracetamol are not common names in Japan β but the same medicine is widely available as acetaminophen. A pharmacist explains what to ask for.
Sick at Night in Japan? Dial #7119
Japan's free 24-hour medical consultation hotline β what happens when you call, what they'll ask, and how to prepare with an AI translator before dialing.
How to Buy Painkillers at a Japanese Pharmacy
A pharmacist's guide to over-the-counter painkillers available in Japan, including common ingredients and how to ask for them.