Bringing Medicine to Japan: What’s Allowed, What’s Not (MHLW Rules)
Pseudoephedrine cold meds and ADHD stimulants like Adderall/Vyvanse are high-risk. Personal-use limits, Yunyu Kakunin-sho, MHLW contacts, and Japanese pharmacies.
Do not pack Sudafed-style cold pills or ADHD stimulants “just in case.” Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) restricts many meds that feel ordinary in the U.S., Canada, the UK, or Australia. Verify your exact drug on official pages before you fly — this guide is orientation, not a customs ruling.
Official starting points:
- Bringing medicines for personal use into Japan (MHLW)
- Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) — ImpConf
Also check your nearest Embassy of Japan page — and, for U.S. travelers, embassy/consulate medication notices — before departure.
Personal-Use Amounts (Commonly Cited)
Per MHLW’s English personal-use page (confirm before travel — rules can change):
| Category | Often allowed without Import Confirmation |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs (non-prohibited) | Up to 1 month supply |
| Other drugs / quasi drugs | Up to 2 months supply |
| External-use items (with exceptions) | Up to 24 per item |
| Injectables / syringes | Up to 1 month — only certain pre-filled / self-injection kits |
Need more than that? Apply for Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) via ImpConf before you leave home, then show it at customs.
Prohibited and controlled substances stay prohibited — quantity and a foreign prescription do not override that.
Well-Documented Problem Cases
| Situation | Practical advice |
|---|---|
| Pseudoephedrine cold/allergy meds (many Sudafed formulas) | Often treated as stimulant raw materials — leave at home |
| Adderall / amphetamine products | Illegal to bring or use in typical tourist cases |
| Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and similar | Listed among stimulants’ raw materials — special government permission frameworks exist for some prescribed narcotics/stimulant materials; many travelers cannot bring them at all. Check MHLW narcotics guidance before assuming your Rx helps |
| Unlisted OTC brands | Read ingredients. Brand names differ; the active ingredient matters |
Do not invent a full banned list from blogs. If your drug is not clearly allowed, email MHLW or ask the Japanese embassy with the generic name and strength.
Who to Contact
From the MHLW personal-import page:
- Narita / Haneda (and related Kanto arrivals):
yakkan@mhlw.go.jp(Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare) - Kansai / Centrair / Fukuoka / Naha, etc.:
kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp(Kinki Regional Bureau) - Narcotics / stimulants’ raw materials: follow the separate MHLW narcotics procedures linked from the same page — not the same path as a casual OTC bag
Japanese embassies and consulates also publish traveler medication FAQs. Use them for contacts and checklists, then confirm against MHLW.
Buy Cold Meds in Japan Instead
Japanese ドラッグストア (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Sundrug, and similar) sell cold, fever, and allergy products widely. Point to your throat or nose, or show: 「かぜ薬ください」 (cold medicine, please). Typical OTC cold packs run roughly ¥800–¥2,000. For what else is worth buying there beyond medicine, see the Japan drugstore guide.
Keep chronic meds you are allowed to bring in original packaging with a copy of the prescription or doctor’s letter. Generic names in English or Latin help pharmacists and customs.
Once you are here and need a clinic, see Japan healthcare.
FAQ
Can I bring Sudafed?
Many pseudoephedrine products are a hard no. Leave them home and buy a Japanese cold medicine after arrival.
Can I bring Adderall or Vyvanse with my U.S. prescription?
Assume no until MHLW/narcotics procedures explicitly clear your exact drug. A foreign Rx alone is not a free pass.
What is Yunyu Kakunin-sho?
Import Confirmation — advance permission for personal imports above the small personal-use thresholds (or as otherwise required). Apply via ImpConf before travel.
How much OTC can I pack?
MHLW commonly cites up to about 2 months of other drugs/quasi drugs without Import Confirmation — verify for your items.
Who do I email for Narita or Haneda questions?
yakkan@mhlw.go.jp per MHLW’s English contact list.
Where is the official rule page?
MHLW personal-use medicines and ImpConf English about page.
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Alex Rivera
Travel & Living Editor
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Moved from London to Tokyo in 2018. Went through the full gaijin experience—visa, housing, banking, the works. Now writes the guide he wished he had.
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