Prescription medicine in Japan: a guide for tourists

1. 01

   Choose a time

   Select “Online” on the booking form and choose an appointment in Japan Standard Time.

2. 02

   Check the fee

   Review your estimate, language arrangements and cancellation terms. A card authorization secures the booking.

3. 03

   Join your video call

   Follow the joining instructions from Travelers Hospital. The doctor will discuss your concerns and any next steps, including prescriptions or a clinic visit.

4. 04

   Collect medicine, if prescribed

   If the doctor prescribes medicine, Travelers Hospital will explain the pharmacy arrangements. Confirm where and when to collect it; stock and opening hours vary.

Travelers Hospital offers consultations 24/7. Pharmacy hours and stock are separate: a night-time consultation does not guarantee medicine that night.

Can I use a prescription from my home country?

A prescription issued abroad cannot be filled directly at a Japanese pharmacy. Bring it, along with your medicine packaging or medication list, to a doctor in Japan. These records help explain what you take; they do not guarantee a refill or the same brand.

What should I prepare for a prescription consultation?

Keep the medicine name, packaging and any existing prescription ready. Tell the doctor about medicines you currently take and any allergies. Explain when you are leaving your hotel or Japan so that collection arrangements can be discussed. A doctor may recommend an in-person visit instead of prescribing online.

How do I find a pharmacy that fills prescriptions?

Look for the sign 処方せん受付, meaning prescriptions accepted. Follow the provider’s instructions for where and how to collect your medicine. Before travelling there, check the dispensing counter’s hours, whether it has received your prescription, stock and when the medicine will be ready.

What if I am changing hotels or leaving Japan?

Tell the provider your next address and departure time before agreeing on a collection location. Confirm any delivery arrangements directly; do not assume the medicine will reach your hotel before checkout. Ask the pharmacy to confirm the deadline on your prescription.

What do I pay at the pharmacy?

Check Travelers Hospital’s current estimate before booking, including any charge for issuing a prescription. Ask the pharmacy to confirm the separate medicine charges and its payment methods. Keep the receipts if you plan to submit an insurance claim; your insurer decides what is covered.

What should I check when collecting medicine?

Ask the pharmacist to explain the instructions and clarify anything you do not understand before leaving. If a companion will collect the medicine for you, ask the pharmacy what information or identification they need.

Before you book