JapanMedGuide
Simple medicine and travel health guides for visitors to Japan.
Find safe, simple guidance for Japanese drugstores, OTC medicines, and when to seek medical care.
Start Here
Learn when to call 119, how to find clinics or hospitals, what to bring, and what medical costs travelers may need to prepare for.
Learn where to buy OTC medicine in Japan, what to check on labels, and when to ask pharmacy staff before taking medicine.
Show This at a Japanese Pharmacy
Use bilingual English and Japanese phrases to explain your symptoms, medicine questions, and safety concerns at a pharmacy.
Latest Guides
New practical medicine and medical care guides for travelers in Japan.
- Lost or Forgot Your Prescription Medicine in Japan? What Travelers Should Do
A quick guide for travelers who lost, forgot, or ran out of prescription medicine in Japan, including urgent care, insurance, documents, clinics, pharmacies, and import-rule checks. - Which Pabron Should I Buy in Japan? A Quick Guide to Japanese Cold Medicine
A quick guide to comparing common Pabron cold medicines in Japan by age, main symptom, dosage form, ingredients, drowsiness, and pharmacist checks. - Where Should I Go If I Feel Sick in Japan? Drugstore, Pharmacy, Clinic, Hospital, or 119
A quick guide for travelers who feel sick in Japan and need to choose between a drugstore, pharmacy, clinic, hospital, 119, English-friendly care, and travel insurance cost checks.
Browse by Health Topic
Choose a topic to find practical medicine and medical care guides for travelers in Japan.
Cold & Respiratory Symptoms
Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, phlegm, and cold medicine.
Pain & Fever
Headache, fever, body aches, pain relievers, and heat-related symptoms.
Stomach & Digestive Symptoms
Stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and digestive medicine checks.
Skin & Insect Bites
Rash, itching, hives, insect bites, topical creams, and warning signs.
Allergy-like Symptoms
Runny nose, sneezing, itchy skin, hives, and allergy-like reactions.
Eye Symptoms & Eye Drops
Dry eyes, itchy eyes, redness, eye drops, and when to seek care.
Travel Medical Care
How to find medical care, use pharmacy cards, and prepare for clinic visits.
For hotels, tourism businesses, or guest support teams, see our partner information page: For Hotels and Tourism Partners.
Why Trust JapanMedGuide
Pharmacist Perspective
Content is created with a pharmacist’s perspective in Japan.
Safety First
We focus on safe choices, careful wording, and when to seek professional help.
Simple English
Information is written in clear, simple English for travelers.
Official Sources
We refer to reliable sources such as Japanese public health and medicine information when appropriate.
Important Notice
This website provides general information only. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your symptoms are severe, unusual, or getting worse, please seek medical care.
Have a question about Japanese OTC medicines?
For general questions or pharmacist-led guidance, please use the Contact page.