Japan Drugstore Guide: What to Buy at Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Daikoku Drug

Correction, 7 October 2026: an earlier version said the November 2026 tax-free change lets you use tax-free medicine and skincare before you fly home. Sealed packaging is no longer required, but goods must still leave Japan with you, and customs can check them at departure before any refund is paid. It also named a Hisamitsu "Sesamin" line; Sesamin is an unrelated supplement.

Japan's drugstores (ドラッグストア) are on almost every visitor's shopping list. They sell eye drops, pain-relief patches and skincare that are hard to find, or more expensive, at home. Here is which chain to go to, what is worth buying, and what to check before you buy medicine to take home.

The chains

You will see these on nearly every shopping street in Tokyo and Osaka, often two or three in one block:

• Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マツモトキヨシ), with yellow signs, is the most visible chain in tourist areas, and its busiest branches in places like Shibuya and Shinsaibashi often have multilingual signs. Since 2021 it has been part of the same group as Cocokara Fine (ココカラファイン).
• Daikoku Drug (ダイコクドラッグ) has its heaviest presence in Osaka, especially Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, with loud storefronts aimed at visitors.
• Sundrug (サンドラッグ) is a national chain used mostly by local shoppers, with good prices on everyday items.
• Welcia (ウエルシア) and Tsuruha (ツルハ) are common outside the main tourist streets, useful if you are staying somewhere less central.

Don Quijote (ドン・キホーテ) is a discount variety store, not a drugstore, but it has a medicine and skincare section and many branches are open around the clock. Use it as a backup; a dedicated drugstore has more choice.

What is worth buying

Eye drops. Japanese eye drops such as Santen's Sante FX and the Rohto range come in many strengths of cooling menthol, which many visitors seek out.

Pain-relief patches. Salonpas, made by Hisamitsu, is the best-known brand for sore muscles after long days of walking, and it is cheaper here than abroad.

Headache and cold medicine. Eve (for headaches), Pabron (colds) and Ryukakusan (throat lozenges) are household names. Read the section below before buying cold medicine to take home.

Itch cream. Muhi is the standard cream for insect bites and itching.

Skincare. Hada Labo (hyaluronic acid lotions), Bioré (cleansers and sunscreen) and Curel (for sensitive skin) are the classic drugstore brands, and they cost much less here than imported versions abroad.

Before you buy cold or allergy medicine

Some Japanese cold and allergy medicines contain pseudoephedrine or codeine, which are restricted in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Check your home country's rules before you buy a large supply, or ask staff for a version without these ingredients. Japan has strict rules in the other direction too: see bringing medicine into Japan if you are traveling with your own medication.

Tax-free shopping at drugstores

Drugstores follow the same tax-free rules as other shops. Bring your passport and spend at least ¥5,000 before tax in one store on one day.

The rules change on 1 November 2026:

• Through 31 October, eligible visitors have the tax removed at the till, and medicine and cosmetics are sealed in special bags that must stay closed until you leave Japan.
• From 1 November, you pay the full price including tax. You then keep the goods with you and take them out of Japan within 90 days of purchase, and customs confirms them at the airport before the tax is refunded. The sealed bags are abolished, but the goods still have to leave the country with you. If customs can't confirm them, there is no refund.

Full details: Japan tax-free shopping guide.

Where to find the most drugstores

• Osaka: Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. Daikoku Drug and Matsumoto Kiyoshi branches a few doors apart, many open until late.
• Tokyo: Shibuya, Shinjuku and Akihabara. Dense clusters around every major station exit.
• Airports. Narita and Kansai have drugstore counters, handy for a last purchase, but choice is smaller than in the city.

If you don't read Japanese, the camera mode in Google Translate handles ingredient lists and dosage instructions well enough to shop with confidence. See our Japan travel apps guide.

---

FAQ

Do I need a prescription for medicine at a Japanese drugstore? Not for anything on the open shelves, which is all over-the-counter. Prescription medicine is dispensed at a separate pharmacy counter (調剤薬局), often inside larger drugstores, and needs a prescription from a doctor in Japan.

Is Matsumoto Kiyoshi cheaper than Don Quijote? Prices are similar for the same items, and either may be cheaper on a given product. Drugstores usually have the wider, better-organized choice.

Can I bring Japanese cold medicine home? Usually, in small personal quantities. But some products contain ingredients restricted in certain countries, including the US and Australia, so check your destination's rules before buying in bulk.

What's the minimum purchase for tax-free at a drugstore? ¥5,000 before tax, in one store on one day, as at any other shop.

Can I use tax-free skincare or medicine before I leave Japan? Not if you want the refund. From 1 November 2026 the goods must leave Japan with you and may be checked by customs at departure.

Are drugstores open late? Many branches in Shinjuku, Shibuya and Dotonbori stay open until late, and a few never close. Neighborhood branches usually close around 9–10 p.m.

Is Don Quijote a real drugstore? No. It is a discount variety store with a medicine and skincare section: fine for a quick purchase, but a drugstore has more choice.