[Accessible Japan]

With medication, it is better to play it safe.  Some drugs that are normal in other parts of the world are banned here, even if they only make up part of the chemical combination.

Here is a Q&A on bringing medications from the Japanese government: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa1.pdf

If you are bringing over one months worth, you will need a special import document called a “Yakkan Shoumei”:

Q)  What  kinds of documents are required in order to apply for a “Yakkan Shoumei”?

A)  The following documents are required in order to apply for a “Yakkan Shoumei”.

1. Import Report of Medication (with your signature, and needed 2 copies only as to this document), filled in the blank application form according to the sample application document.
2. Explanation of Product, filled in the blank application form according to the sample application document.  You have to create this document for each product.
   (Alternative documents such as pamphlets by manufacturers can be accepted, if they show the descriptions required in Explanation of Product.)
3. Copy of Prescription or Direction for medicines with doctor’s signature, by which the Pharmaceutical Inspector can confirm the name and the quantity of each medicine only for your own use clearly.

The safest thing to do though is contact the Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare: [email protected] (if you are flying into Narita or Haneda)

Hopefully someone else can write about their personal experiences as well, since this is just the theory.