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Medications & Customs

What you can and cannot bring into Japan — and how to get approval

Verified by Keigo · September 5, 2026Source: www.iryou.teikyouseido.mhlw.go.jp ↗

Sick child? Call first

Advice · evenings & weekends

#8000Pediatric advice line (小児救急) — a nurse/doctor, evenings, nights & weekends

Not sure?

#7119Emergency advice (救急安心センター) — "should we call an ambulance?", adults too (where available)

Life-threatening

119Ambulance — life-threatening signs: trouble breathing, a seizure over 5 min, unresponsive

Usually not an emergency

A high fever alone, if the child is drinking and responsive.

Seek care

  • Fever under 3 months old
  • Seizure over 5 min
  • Hard breathing
  • Limpness
  • Stiff neck

Keep records in the 母子健康手帳 (Maternal & Child Health Handbook — free at city hall, multilingual versions exist). Routine vaccinations (定期予防接種) are free and come with 予診票 forms.

What you can and cannot bring into Japan — and how to get approval

Can I bring my medicine?

Critical Warning Some common medications that are legal in your home country are strictly ILLEGAL in Japan. Bringing them without proper authorization can result in arrest, detention, and deportation — even if you have a valid prescription from your doctor.

Your medicineProhibitedWith Yakkan ShoumeiFreely (personal use)
StimulantsAdderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, VyvanseAlways — no exemption, even with a prescription
Recreational drugsMDMA, methamphetamine, cannabisZero tolerance — prison and entry ban
PseudoephedrineCold medicine, e.g. SudafedLarge amounts — confiscation or legal troubleSmall amounts may be tolerated
CodeinePainkillers, cold medicineOver certain quantitiesPrescription-strengthSmall amounts in OTC cold medicine may be OK
Prescription medicineOver 1 monthUp to 1 month
Over-the-counter medicineOver 2 monthsUp to 2 months
InjectablesInsulin, EpiPens, growth hormonesAny quantity
Creams, patches, eye dropsUp to 24 pieces
Vitamins, supplementsReasonable quantities

Filled dot: the rule.Dashed dot: tolerated in small amounts, not guaranteed.

How to Get a Yakkan Shoumei

The Yakkan Shoumei — officially renamed the Import Confirmation Certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) — is an import certificate issued by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). It authorizes you to bring controlled medications through customs.

4–6 weeksapply at least this long before travel
3–5 weeksprocessing — longer in peak travel seasons

Filed 6 weeks out, even a 5-week processing lands before departure. Apply as early as you can.

  1. 01

    Submit the application form

    From the MHLW website, to the regional bureau — Kanto-Shin'etsu for Tokyo arrivals.
  2. 02

    Prepare required documents

    Prescription in English, doctor's letter, each medication's name, dosage and quantity, passport copy.
  3. 03

    Apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel

    Some bureaus accept applications by email or fax.
  4. 04

    Keep the certificate with you at customs

    Printed, with your medications in their original packaging.

How much you can bring

For personal use, no Yakkan Shoumei is needed up to these limits. Even within them, excessive quantities raise suspicion.

1 monthPrescription medicineNon-controlled
FreeYakkan Shoumei
01 month2 months
2 monthsOver-the-counter medicineAllergy pills, pain relievers, cold medicine
FreeYakkan Shoumei
01 month2 months
24 piecesCreams, patches, eye dropsPer item — cosmetics included

Practical Tips

Bring your prescription in EnglishHave your doctor write or translate your prescription into English. Include the generic drug name, dosage, and reason for use. This helps customs officers and Japanese doctors understand your medications.
Keep medications in original packagingNever transfer pills to unmarked containers. Japanese customs may confiscate unidentified medications. Original packaging with pharmacy labels is your best protection.
Carry a doctor's letterA signed letter from your doctor explaining your condition and medication needs can prevent misunderstandings at customs and help if you need to see a doctor in Japan.

Official Links

A hospital stay is capped

The most you pay in a month

¥36,900 – ¥270,300New ceilings since 1 August 2026

The High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (高額療養費) refunds anything you pay above your monthly ceiling, and there is now a yearly ceiling too.

Ask the hospital for a 限度額適用認定証 before you are admitted, so you only pay the capped amount at the counter.

See the ceilings by income bracket

Monthly ceiling by annual income · under 70

Exempt from residence tax¥36,900
Up to about ¥3.7M¥61,500
About ¥3.7M – ¥7.7M¥85,800+1%
About ¥7.7M – ¥11.6M¥179,100+1%
About ¥11.6M and above¥270,300+1%

+1% of the medical cost above the threshold.

Find hospitals & clinics in Where to go

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Medicines & Pharmacies in Japan (Foreigner Guide)

What medications are allowed in Japan, how to fill prescriptions, and finding equivalents at the pharmacy.

Prohibited Substances

The following substances are banned or heavily restricted under Japanese law. Do NOT bring them into Japan under any circumstances without explicit authorization.

Stimulant medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, Vyvanse)

Strictly illegal under the Stimulants Control Act. These medications contain amphetamines or methylphenidate, which are classified as stimulants in Japan. There is NO exemption, even with a foreign prescription.

Cold medicines with pseudoephedrine (over certain quantities)

Products like Sudafed containing pseudoephedrine are restricted. Small quantities for personal use may be tolerated, but large amounts will be confiscated or may lead to legal trouble.

Painkillers with codeine (over certain quantities)

Codeine-containing medications are controlled. Small amounts in OTC cold medicine may be acceptable, but prescription-strength codeine painkillers require a Yakkan Shoumei.

MDMA, methamphetamine, and other recreational drugs

Japan has zero tolerance for recreational drugs. Penalties include lengthy prison sentences and permanent entry bans. This includes cannabis, which is illegal in Japan regardless of your home country's laws.

Controlled — Allowed with Yakkan Shoumei

These medications can be brought into Japan, but you must apply for a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate before traveling.

Prescription medications (over 1 month supply)

You can bring up to a 1-month supply without a certificate. ANY quantity over 1 month — even a few extra weeks — requires an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei, officially the Import Confirmation Certificate) obtained in advance. There is no separate '2-month' allowance for prescription drugs.

OTC medications in large quantities

Over-the-counter medicines exceeding a 2-month supply require a Yakkan Shoumei. This includes common items like allergy pills, pain relievers, and cold medicine.

Injectable medications (insulin, etc.)

Self-injection devices and medications like insulin, EpiPens, or growth hormones require a Yakkan Shoumei regardless of quantity. Bring your doctor's letter and prescription.

Download the application form from the MHLW website and submit it to the appropriate regional bureau. For Tokyo arrivals, this is the Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare.

You need: a copy of your prescription (in English), a letter from your doctor explaining the medical necessity, details of each medication (name, dosage, quantity), and a copy of your passport.

Processing now typically takes 3–5 weeks (longer in peak travel seasons). Apply as early as you can — some bureaus accept applications by email or fax.

Print and carry the approved Yakkan Shoumei document. Present it to customs officers if asked. Keep medications in their original packaging alongside the certificate.

What You Can Bring Freely

The following can be brought into Japan without a Yakkan Shoumei, as long as they are for personal use:

Up to 2 months supply of over-the-counter medications

Up to 1 month supply of prescription medications (non-controlled)

Up to 24 pieces per item of external-use medicines or cosmetics (creams, patches, eye drops)

Vitamins and health supplements in reasonable quantities

Respect quantity limits

Even for allowed medications, bringing excessive quantities raises suspicion. Stick to the personal-use limits: 1 month for prescription drugs, 2 months for OTC, and a maximum of 24 pieces per item for external-use medicines and cosmetics (creams, patches, eye drops).