Feeling Sick in Japan? A Guide to Drugstores, OTC Medicine, and Essential Vocabulary

Travel fatigue, jet lag, and climate changes can sometimes catch up to you. If you suddenly develop a headache, a stomachache, or catch a cold during your trip to Japan, there is no need to panic. Japanese streets are lined with "drugstores" where you can easily buy over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without a doctor's prescription. This guide will show you how to find the right medicine for your symptoms and how to use these stores as the ultimate souvenir shopping spots. 1. Finding Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine In Japan, standard OTC medicines are sold at everyday drugstores, not just at hospitals or specialized clinics. ・Find the Medicine Aisles: Look for shelves labeled with "Class 2" (第2類医薬品) or "Class 3" (第3類医薬品). This is where you will find painkillers, cold and flu medicine, and stomach remedies. Anyone can simply pick these up and buy them at the regular cash register. ・Ask a Pharmacist (Yakuzaishi): If you are overwhelmed by the Japanese packaging, look for staff members wearing white lab coats. They are licensed pharmacists or registered medicine sellers. Don't hesitate to ask them for help! 2. Essential Vocabulary for Communicating Symptoms Show this list to the staff and use the following magic phrase to get exactly what you need: "〇〇 no kusuri wa arimasu ka?" (Do you have medicine for 〇〇?) 【Symptoms】 Zutsu: Headache Itsu / Fukutsu: Stomachache Kaze: Cold Netsu: Fever Seki: Cough Geri: Diarrhea Mushisasare: Insect bite 【Types of Medicine】 Itamidome: Painkiller Igusuri: Stomach medicine Bansoukou: Band-aid / Plaster (Important Note: Japanese OTC medicines often have milder formulations or lower dosages compared to those in Western countries. If you have severe drug allergies or take regular prescription medication, always use a translation app to inform the staff before purchasing anything.) 3. The Ultimate Souvenir Spots! Japanese drugstores are not just for sick people. They are actually some of the best shopping destinations for scoring high-quality, affordable Japanese cosmetics, skincare products, snacks, and daily goods. ・Matsumoto Kiyoshi: Easily recognizable by its bright yellow and blue signs, this is one of Japan's most famous drugstore chains. It boasts a massive, highly sought-after selection of cosmetics and skincare. ・Welcia / Tsuruha Drug: These are massive chains found nationwide. They are fantastic places to grab cheap snacks, drinks, and daily necessities. ・Don Quijote (Donki): Japan's biggest discount store network. Many locations have a dedicated pharmacy counter inside and stay open incredibly late (sometimes 24 hours!). It is an absolute lifesaver if you need medicine in the middle of the night or want to buy all your souvenirs in one massive haul. 【Money-Saving Tip: Shop Tax-Free!】 At most major drugstores and Don Quijote, if you spend over 5,000 JPY (excluding tax), you are eligible for a tourist tax exemption, saving you the 10% consumption tax. Just make sure to present your physical Passport at the register!