What do people get wrong about over-the-counter medicine in Japan?
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Falling ill on holiday means a drugstore visit, and the Japanese system sorts medicines into legal classes that decide where and how you can buy them. Knowing the classes saves a wasted trip.
The classes (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act)
| Class | Who can sell | Examples | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guidance-required (要指導医薬品) | Pharmacist only, in person or (since May 2026) by video consultation for most items | Recently switched from prescription; the emergency contraceptive (since Feb 2026) | Pharmacies with a pharmacist on duty |
| Class 1 (第1類) | Pharmacist only | Some strong antacids (H2 blockers), loxoprofen tablets (Loxonin S), some hair-growth and anti-fungal products | Behind the counter |
| Class 2 (第2類) | Pharmacist or registered seller | Most cold medicines, painkillers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), loxoprofen patches, antihistamines | Open shelves, marked ② |
| Class 3 (第3類) | Pharmacist or registered seller | Vitamins, eye drops, mild digestives | Open shelves, marked ③ |
- Packaging shows the class as a circled number ①②③ or the words "guidance-required medicine" (要指導医薬品).
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are available; aspirin dose forms differ. Typical Japanese doses are lower than Western products (e.g. ibuprofen 150 mg per dose, max 600 mg/day OTC, versus 200–400 mg per dose abroad).
- Codeine-containing cough medicines have been contraindicated for under-12s since 2019 and are "designated Class 2". Since 1 May 2026 cold/cough medicines with abuse-prone ingredients (codeine, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan etc.) are "designated abuse-prevention drugs": sales are limited to one pack per person and restricted for under-18s, with ID checks.
[Verify] Class assignments change as products are reclassified; confirm examples with the MHLW OTC classification list before publication. Dose comparisons are indicative.
Misunderstanding 1｜Any drugstore staff can sell any medicine
Class 1 and guidance-required medicines need a pharmacist. Many drugstores have one only during set hours; late at night the counter may be closed while the shop is open.
Misunderstanding 2｜"Kaze-gusuri" (cold medicine) is the same as at home
Japanese cold medicines are typically combination products with several active ingredients at modest doses. Read the ingredient list — they may include an antihistamine that causes drowsiness, or caffeine.
Misunderstanding 3｜Pseudoephedrine decongestants are on the shelf
Products with pseudoephedrine above 10% are treated as stimulant raw materials; OTC nasal products here mostly use other ingredients. Do not expect the same decongestants as at home.
Misunderstanding 4｜The pharmacist will not speak English
Large chains in tourist areas often have English-speaking staff or translation devices, and the MHLW has published a multilingual pharmacy guide. Showing the name of the active ingredient on your phone works well.
Misunderstanding 5｜It is cheaper to buy medicine at the airport
Airport shops stock a limited range at higher prices. Drugstores in town (chains are on almost every street) are cheaper and better stocked.
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Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — OTC medicine classification (一般用医薬品の区分)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000092820.html
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Multilingual guide for pharmacies
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/iyakuhin/index.html
- Japan Association of Chain Drug Stores — Store finder (English)
https://www.jacds.gr.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
About this article
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
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Sources
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