Travelers in Japan often purchase various medicines from large pharmacies readily found across the country. These stores, with signs displaying the character for “medicine” (藥), offer a variety of medications that can be purchased without a prescription.
Japan has many large pharmacies where you can buy non-prescription drugs. Some well-known franchises include “Daikoku Drug Store” and “Matsumoto Kiyoshi.”
Famous Medications in Japanese Pharmacies
Among the medicines available in large Japanese pharmacies, there are some that are well-known to people in Korea. These include medicines for stopping flatulence, health supplements like “Unicorn Chikara,” and refreshing eye drops like “Roto Lycee.”
Recommended Items in Japanese Drug Stores
- Cooling sheets
- Warm eye masks
- Cabagin (stomach medicine)
- EVE (pain reliever)
- Jurohwan (cold medicine)
- Inochinohaha (for menopause) & Inochinohaha White (for irregular periods)
- Coin patches (Roihi-Tsuboko)
- Salonpas
- Magnetic patches
- Eye cleansing products
- Collagen powder
- DHC vitamins
- Nakatta Koto Ni (diet pills)
- Naishitoru Z (diet pills)
- Nattokinase (Nattokinase enzyme)
Tax-Free Shopping for Purchases Over ¥5,000
If you purchase items worth over ¥5,000 at once, you can receive a tax exemption. To benefit from this tax-free option, you need to present your passport and queue up at the tax-free counter. It’s essential to check whether the counter offers tax exemption, as not all counters do. In my experience, the line for the tax-free counter is usually longer.
Once you complete your tax-free purchase, they will provide a special package along with a receipt attached to your passport. You can show this receipt to Japanese customs when leaving the country.
Daikoku Drug Store in Shinjuku: A Visit
During this trip, I visited the Daikoku Drug Store located in Shinjuku, near the famous Godzilla Head. The Godzilla Head is situated in the heart of Kabukicho. In 2015, the Toho Group attached the Godzilla Head to the building, brightening and making the overall atmosphere safer.
- Shinjuku Kabukicho “Godzilla Head”: Tokyo Shinjuku Kabukicho “Godzilla Head”
While I didn’t buy many medicines personally, I did purchase an eye drop called “Roto Lycee,” known for its refreshing effects. Since my purchase was only ¥800, I couldn’t avail of the tax-free benefit. However, due to the longer line at the tax-free counter, the time spent on the transaction was more than anticipated, causing a bit of regret.
If you are traveling to Japan with the intention of shopping for pharmaceuticals, especially non-prescription medicines, Daikoku Drug Store is a must-visit place.
Daikoku Drug Store in Shinjuku Kabukicho:
- Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, Kabukichō, 1 Chome−21, 21,1 Chome
- Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM