Entry & exit

Bringing medicine into Japan

Small personal supplies are usually fine. Bigger amounts and some common drugs need paperwork before you leave home.

What to know

Without extra paperwork, a traveler can bring up to a 1-month supply of prescription medicine and up to a 2-month supply of other medicines.
Medicines for external use are limited to 24 per item. Injectables are limited to a 1-month supply, and only as pre-filled syringes or self-injection kits. Disposable contact lenses: up to 2 months.
More than that needs an Import Confirmation, often called yakkan shoumei. Get it before you leave home and show it at customs. Some applications can be made online through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).
Narcotics and stimulant raw materials are strictly controlled. Some can only be brought in with government permission obtained in advance, and some can't be brought in at all. Psychotropic medicines have their own application process.
Carry your prescription or a letter from your doctor explaining what the medicine is, why you take it and the dose.
This page can't tell you whether your specific medicine is allowed. Ask MHLW before you travel: arriving at Narita or Haneda, email yakkan@mhlw.go.jp; arriving at Kansai, Chubu Centrair, Fukuoka or Naha, email kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp.

psst, sort this out weeks ahead, not the night before. Nobody at the arrivals hall can issue the paperwork for you.