What is a Drugstore and What Can You Buy There?

What is a ドラッグストア(Drugstore)?

Drugstores in Japan sell not only medicines but also daily necessities and cosmetics, among other things needed for daily life.

Drugstores can be found all over Japan. They are convenient for quickly buying what you need, making them indispensable in Japanese daily life.

What You Can Buy at a Drugstore

Medicines

You can find medicines for colds, headaches, stomachaches, and more.

If you're unsure which medicine you need, you can ask the pharmacists or registered salesclerks at the drugstore for advice.

Besides oral medicines, they also have consumables like band-aids and masks.

Daily Necessities

Drugstores carry daily necessities like toilet paper and toothpaste.

Detergents and cleaning tools are often organized by use, such as "kitchen," "bathroom," and "toilet," making it easy to find what you need.

Skincare and Cosmetics

You can also find skincare, cosmetics, and hair care products.

Large stores often have a wide range of cosmetics, from affordable items known as "プチプラ(puchi-pura)" to famous brand products. You can browse and try various products.

Food

Drugstores are convenient for small purchases like instant foods, snacks, juice, and tea.

Large stores may also carry fresh foods and health or diet foods that are not available in supermarkets.

Baby Products

You can find baby diapers, baby food, skincare products, and more.

It's convenient for parents as they can buy these items along with their daily necessities.

What is the Difference Between Pharmacies and Drugstores?

Pharmacies sell over-the-counter medicines but mainly handle prescription medicines.

When you visit a clinic or hospital, the doctor gives you a prescription based on your symptoms.
You take the prescription to a pharmacy, and a pharmacist dispenses the medicine.

Recently, some drugstores also have attached "prescription pharmacies."

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Medicines

Prescription Medicines: 
These are medicines that a pharmacist dispenses based on a doctor's instructions for specific symptoms. You cannot buy these medicines without a doctor's prescription.

Over-the-Counter Medicines: 
These are medicines you can buy at a drugstore without a prescription. They include various medicines for colds, stomach issues, headaches, and more.

You can choose and buy these medicines yourself, although some may require a pharmacist's confirmation. Drugstores also have pharmacists who can provide advice on medicines.

Keeping Records with a "おくすり手帳"

Whether you buy medicines at a pharmacy or drugstore, it's recommended to keep a record in a "おくすり手帳(Medicine Record Notebook)". This helps you and your healthcare providers keep track of what medicines you've been taking.
When you buy prescription medicines, pharmacists will ask if you have a "medicine record notebook." There are also apps available for keeping track of your medicines, which you can download and use.

More information about the Medication Record Book: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare page (link)

Lastly

Drugstores are convenient and essential in Japanese daily life.

You can buy not only medicines but also daily necessities and other items you need. Many stores also offer their own point service, making shopping more economical.

Some drugstores also handle prescription medicines. You can take prescriptions from clinics or hospitals to these stores to get your medicines.

If you haven't been to a drugstore before, give it a try!