In Japan, the doctor does not give you medicine. You get a paper prescription (処方箋) and take it to a pharmacy, which is usually a separate business a short walk away. There are 61,398 pharmacies in the country.
Drugstore ≠ pharmacy
- ドラッグストア (drugstore) — sells over-the-counter medicine, cosmetics and daily goods. Often open late. Cannot fill a prescription unless licensed to dispense.
- 調剤薬局 (dispensing pharmacy) — staffed by a pharmacist, fills prescriptions. Look for the word 調剤 or 処方せん受付 on the sign.
The four-day rule
A prescription is valid for four days, counting the day it was issued. Weekends and public holidays are included. Miss the window and you generally need to see a doctor again.
Opening hours are the real constraint
4,787 pharmacies nationwide are open until 20:00 or later on weekdays, but only 356 stay open past 22:00. 1,991 open by 08:00. If you are seen in the evening, check that a pharmacy is still open before you leave the clinic.
Bring your medicine notebook
Japanese pharmacies issue a お薬手帳 (medicine notebook) recording what you have been prescribed. Bringing it lets the pharmacist check for interactions. If you take regular medication, carrying a list in English is worth doing.
Find pharmacies near you
Browse by prefecture and filter by early morning, evening, Sunday or holiday opening.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I fill a prescription at a drugstore in Japan?
- Not usually. A ドラッグストア (drugstore) sells over-the-counter medicine, cosmetics and daily goods; only a 調剤薬局 (dispensing pharmacy), staffed by a pharmacist, fills prescriptions. Look for the word 調剤 on the sign.
- How long is a Japanese prescription valid?
- Four days, counting the day it was issued. Weekends and public holidays are included. Miss the window and you generally need to see a doctor again.
- How late are pharmacies open in Japan?
- 4,787 pharmacies nationwide are open until 20:00 or later on weekdays, but only 356 stay open past 22:00. 1,991 open by 08:00.
- What is a medicine notebook?
- A お薬手帳 is a booklet Japanese pharmacies issue that records what you have been prescribed. Bringing it lets the pharmacist check for interactions. If you take regular medication, carrying it is worthwhile.