Bringing meds and drugs into Japan

Hi Phil, Yes, Japan is very strict on bringing in medicines.

You can find some info here:

https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/importing-medication/

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html

I know that my sister has to get permission from the Japanese government before she would enter Japan with her controlled substances.

https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/application2.html

I hesitate to answer about specific meds. I would check the official sources linked above to make sure none of your meds are prohibited.

Make sure you have copies of all your prescriptions and keep in the original container.

You are required to fill out a customs form prior to entering the country.

https://www.customs.go.jp/english/passenger/declaration/declaration_app.html

I only see a question on that form about narcotics, not any other type of medicine.

And I would not assume what is true for today will also be true for when you do travel. So, I would recheck all information closer to your trip.

I too am planning a trip to Japan and will be there for a week before going to other Asian countries. I will be gone for 60 days and when you exceed a 30-day supply of prescription and non-prescription medication you need to find out how much medicine is allowed to bring into a country. The best way to get answers is to check: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Japan.html > click on the + sign on the right of Embassies and Consulates. If you click on the Navigator Assistant link, you’ll learn you need to email [email protected] and ask what prescription and non-prescription meds are allowed to bring into Japan and the quantity amount.
I too receive a 90-day supply but will carry a 60-day supply of pills meaning I will remove 30 from the bottle(s). Last month I received the response below from [email protected] who said:

You need to apply for Yunyu Kakunin-sho to bring more than a 30-day supply. We have switched accepting applications online.
For those who wish to apply for a “Yunyu Kakunin-sho” certificate to bring medications in Japan, please make an application by an online application system. Access the online application website: https://impconf.mhlw.go.jp/aicpte/page/login.jsp?lang=en.
If you have procedural or operational problems/inquiries for this application system, please ask the helpdesk. The contact e-mail address is: [email protected]
Please note that Doctor’s prescription or letter dated within 6 months is a must for documentation to apply.

Thank you everyone.

Lots of links. It seems that I have.a lot of research to do.

To be continued

As long as the medication is allowed into Japan, you can bring in a 30 day supply of prescription meds and a 60 day supply of non-prescription medication without any extra forms. You do not have to declare them unless you are over the 30/60 day limit as stated above.

Japan is very strict and you have to make sure what you want to take is allowed. You will probably be surprised. As an example, a simple Vicks Inhaler is not allowed.

It doesn't matter the quantity on the label. It's the exact count of pills that they care about.

You've gotten excellent advice about sources to answer your questions about admissibility of your meds, and import requirements. Expect officials to adhere to the rules, in the most polite way, of course.

Regarding Sudafed. It is totally banned because it is used in the manufacturing of certain street drugs.
Tylenol PM is just acetaminophen plus Benadryl in combination so there's no reason why you couldn't bring it with you. But if you already have Tylenol and Benadryl, there's no need to also bring Tylenol PM.

Another thank you to those who have joined in.

Some of you know that I have traveled to Europe three times and sometimes it was a rocky road but it has gotten easier and now I would like to explore more.

I have been doing a lot of research on and about Japan. Norwegian offers some attractive cruises from Tokyo. I am learning about both airports and cruise ports. Even have settled on a hotel.

And then it was sounding like it was very complicated to enter because of my meds. Younger, especially healthier younger, people probably taking no prescriptions or maybe one.

I only take three but it was sounding like I was going to have to apply for this or that. Everything sank.

Because of your responses and links, I am feeling better and will continue working on my trip to Japan.

Thinking more about it.

It sounds like if I make an honest mistake and attempt to bring in sometting that is not allowed, the worst that will happen is that it will be taken away from me.

Phil, I would take note of this from the US embassy:

It does not matter if you have a valid U.S. prescription for a
medicine/drug which is illegal in Japan: if you bring it with you,
you risk arrest and detention by the Japanese authorities.

https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/importing-medication/#:~:text=It%20does%20not%20matter%20if,of%20prohibited%20medications%20or%20ingredients.

Thank you for the information, Carrie.

I had seen the warning and this is among the statements that scared me.

There is an email address and I think that I am going to send an email to clarify my own situation.

I am taking three prescriptions and all of them are generic. Two of the meds are 90 day supplies but I am going to count out 20 or so. For OTC, I want to bring in Benadryl, voltaren and Tylenol.

Millions of tourists visit Japan yearly which includes millions of Americans. I have never heard of anyone being arrested and or fined because they innocently and accidentally brought in a med or drug that is on the prohibited list.

I wish that our government or the Japanese government would publish a list of popular drugs by brand names and generic names that are forbidden.

This link is also posted above. Scroll down and you can get an another link to controlled substance. These aren't by medicine brand name (that would be onerous to create - but would be handy!!), but the controlled "ingredients" are noted - check against your meds.

https://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/application2.html

A related aside: if you arrive in Japan and are showing any signs of illness (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, etc) you will be taken aside and questioned / examined, and your bags will be thoroughly inspected, too.

Wonderful country, I have visited a half dozen times over the years (but not within the last decade during which my Rx list has grown several fold) and their drug prohibitions and warnings/threats are quite intimidating, and it gives me pause when I think about returning...

Good luck.

Jojo Rabbit

I do not mind that there are restrictions when it comes to bringing in OTC drugs and prescriptions but I am very i intimidated by the threats of what might happen if you make an honest mistake.

Until I reached 65, I did not take any prescriptions but now I have to take three.

OTC meds, I could wait until I am inside Japan. They have pharmacies there.

I do not feel like taking pictures of my meds or asking my doctor for a certificate.

I am only doing research now for my next cruise and am now considering another place but I am going to first send an email to the authorities in Japan. I sort of had my heart set on Japan for my next cruise.

ORDtraveler

I am on a. facebook page re Japan. Someone was very blase about bringing meds in and someone else informed that person that they were lucky. If you get caught, you disappear into a Japan jail for 25 days with no use of a phone and then fined a horrendous amount of money.

That is scary.

Bostonphil you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Write down all your prescription and OTC drugs. If they are allowed in you will have no problem Just make sure the actual count of the pills are under 30/60 respectively.

If you have a list of meds you want to bring, and they are allowed, how do you make an honest mistake?

Chances are you won't be stopped anyway.

I agree with Frank II, for the OP at least, she is making too big a deal out of this...confirm your Pharma is kosher, stay within the quantity limits, and enjoy the trip.

ok

Frank II and JoJoRabbit

Probably am making too much out of it.

But JoJoRabbit

didn't you say something about having visited years back but now you have paused due to your growing list of prescriptions, etc. ....

bostonphil,
I too was nervous traveling to Japan because one of my son's vapes nicotine. Vaping nicotine is banned in Japan. However, it is allowed to bring in a one month supply of nicotine vaping liquid. And it is allowed for tourists to vape nicotine in smoking areas.

Boston - relax!!!

I've had multiple, 5 or 6, entries into Japan via Narita or Osaka since 2022. There is no extra search for illicit medications.

Check your prescription meds and quantities against the rules. Notice which OTC meds you are carrying. You will be fine.

I wouldn't hesitate to take any prescription medication or US otc
medication in amounts for personal use.

This is not good advice. Please follow the info. from the official sources already linked above. If a medicine is banned, you may not bring it into Japan. Period. There is no for personal use exception.

Ensure your posts conform to guideline #7, please. Speaking of evasion or circumvention of other countries' rules and laws is not acceptable in this forum. Follow official sources.

Thank you webmaster for the advice.

I am going to end the discussion rather than break any guidelines. Can I do it on my end or could ou do it for me.

But JoJoRabbit
didn't you say something about having visited years back but now you have paused due to your growing list of prescriptions, etc. ....

Yes, but I now carry 8 Rx meds, the burden to carry them in original packaging is pretty high, and one is a controlled substance, and it is what gives me the most pause - not just about Japan, but any border crossing. Anecdotally some are scarier to me than others, like Japan, and England...

jojo Rabbit

Life gets more difficult as we age and that includes travel. Or maybe travel has gotten more difficult????

I am now considering reversing my cruise. I can leave from Seoul and cruise to Tokyo. All the ports are the same but in reverse order.

I will pre-cruise in Seoul and then fly home from Tokyo.

This cruise is just in planning stages. I am going to have to renew my passport in March and will not book anything until I get my new passport.

Life gets more difficult as we age and that includes travel. Or maybe travel has gotten more difficult????

I think it just requires a little more thought process and organization, then when you you were 25 and more carefree.

FYI, soon to be 72!

BostonPhil - regulations on carrying medications into foreign countries are not limited to Japan.

Here are S. Korea's regulations: https://kr.usembassy.gov/services-controlled-substance/#:~:text=Visitors%20must%20bring%20the%20original,be%20carried%20into%20the%20country.

I entered S. Korea twice in the last 18 months, both times through Incheon. As with Japan, there was no specific "drug check". Again as with Japan, there is a body temperature checkpoint as you approach immigration. You simply walk past and temperature is automatically registered - not visible to the traveler. This is not unusual in Asia. I've encountered it in other Asian countries as well.

All that said, Seoul has some fascinating spots to visit. I find it a bit easier to get around than Tokyo.

Take the cruise the direction you prefer. For Japan, if any of your meds or amounts require a Yunyu Kakunin-sho, obtain one and offer it at Immigration and/or Customs (you can present it first at Customs and will undoubtedly be told to show it at customs along with the meds). If your meds and amounts are all unrestricted, there is no need to declare anything.

Back to the original question. I always travel with a bottle of Tylenol when headed to Japan (or any where else).

Hi Ed

FYI. soon to be 80 ... I still can not believe it.

ORDtraveler

Thank you. I missed it. Going to have to think about this.

I may end up doing Europe again. Maybe Barcelona again or how about entering through Sweden or Finland.

The world is my oyster. I may have to begin a different discussion about where to go next.

well, I sent an email to [email protected]

Here is a copy of what I said:

"I am an American who is hoping to visit Japan.

I am very confused when it comes to bringing in prescription drugs

I take three which are all allowed under Japanese law.

I will bring in less than a one month supply

So my question is. Do I really need to bring. A letter from my doctor ?

And re original prescriptions. I never see them. My doctor sends my prescription electronically to a mail order pharmacy which mails me my prescriptions.

One more question. I receive a three month supply for all my prescriptions because that way I do not have to pay anything extra. My bottles say 90 days supply but I will count out only a month or less supply. Is that allowed?"

If I hear back, I will post the response.

I am on another site and there are similar concerns. One person sent an email asking for further clarification but never got a response back.

So maybe I will and maybe I won't

I can answer your questions...

So my question is. Do I really need to bring. A letter from my doctor ?

No. You only need the letter if you are requesting to bring in more than a 30 day supply.

And re original prescriptions. I never see them. My doctor sends my prescription electronically to a mail order pharmacy which mails me my prescriptions.

The label attached to your pill bottles is a copy of your prescription. Usually, pharmacies include extra paperwork including a copy of the label. If not, contact them and ask to have a copy emailed to you.

One more question. I receive a three month supply for all my prescriptions because that way I do not have to pay anything extra. My bottles say 90 days supply but I will count out only a month or less supply. Is that allowed?"

Yes. All that matters is the actual number of pills.

Frank II

I appreciate you putting up with my nervousness about visiting Japan.

I have read and re-read all the information sent me many time over.

And I am finally relaxing.

At first it was a shock learning about restrictions on bringing in prescription meds but now I have gotten used to the information and it is feeling ok.

Back to working on the next cruise. I bought a certificate from NCL where I paid $250 but when I am ready to book, it is good for a $500 deposit.

My companion wears an insulin pump and he filled out the authorization form beforehand. He was bringing extra needles and an extra pump. No problem at Customs when he arrived. However, it's always good to be fully prepared.

I will be in Japan in Nov 2025 and look forward to it. It's fall and the weather should be nice (cool and dry). Foliage season is the perfect time to see this beautiful and fun country.

Hi Barkinpark

I usually travel in October. If and when i get to Japan, I hope that I will be able to experience fall color. I am hoping there is a chance that i will. be able to go this up coming October.

I almost always write some reviews while still on my cruise with a more in depth trip report when I get home.

Oct is foliage season in some parts of Japan: Hokkaido, Tohoku, and in the Japanese Alps. It's very scenic and you can avoid the mad foliage chasers in Kyoto in November.

Japan is very happy to have tourism opening up again. Before we went in the Fall of 2024, we studied everything on allowed medications and were completely in compliance. Admission to the country through arrivals was the fastest, most efficient I've ever seen anywhere. No one was remotely interested in anything we might or might not have in our luggage. The whole process took less than half an hour. Just recounting our experience, but I think you will find that there is no real scrutiny - comply for sure, but don't worry needlessly. (Also, don't put your foot on the do not cross line while waiting for a train - that is enforced!)

Thank you for the information Loreen

I am hoping to be able to book. a trip to Japan for October 2025.

Feeling much more relaxed about the situation.