Traveling with Medications to 🇯🇵 Japan
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | One month supply without permit; permit required for larger quantities | YES |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | One month supply without permit | NO |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | One month supply with Yunyu Kakunin-sho | YES |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | One month supply | YES |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | One month supply | YES |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance | NO |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | PROHIBITED | Zero tolerance for products containing any THC | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | One month supply without import certificate | NO |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal use; generally 2 months OTC supplement | NO |
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed, Actifed, Clarinase | decongestant | RESTRICTED | Personal use only, limited quantity | NO |
Amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin (with clavulanic acid) | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Azithromycin Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metformin Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Insulin (injectable) Humalog, NovoLog, Lantus | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Atorvastatin Lipitor | lipid-lowering | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amlodipine Norvasc | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Levothyroxine Synthroid, Eltroxin, Euthyrox | thyroid-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Omeprazole Prilosec, Losec | proton-pump-inhibitor | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Prednisone (Prednisolone) Deltasone, Sterapred | corticosteroid | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir | bronchodilator | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven | anticoagulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nurofen | nsaid | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol | analgesic | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Morphine MS Contin, Sevredol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 30-day supply with permit | YES |
Sertraline Zoloft, Lustral | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Betaloc | beta-blocker | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Esomeprazole Nexium | proton-pump-inhibitor | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Codeine-containing preparations under certain concentrations may be imported without permit for personal use up to one month supply.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter if controlled substance
- —Yakkan Shoumei for quantities exceeding one month
Permit Required
Yunyu Kakunin-sho (Import Confirmation) from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Tramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol became a designated drug in Japan in 2012. Small personal quantities with prescription generally accepted.
- —Prescription
- —Yakkan Shoumei for larger quantities
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Amphetamines are strictly prohibited in Japan under the Stimulant Drug Control Act. No exceptions for personal medical use. Even residual traces can result in arrest. Alternative ADHD medications should be arranged with a Japanese physician before travel.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Unlike amphetamines, methylphenidate can be imported to Japan with proper documentation. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
- —Prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Yakkan Shoumei import certificate
Permit Required
Narcotics Control Department, Ministry of Health
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Modafinil is a controlled psychotropic in Japan. Import certificate required for quantities exceeding personal use.
- —Prescription
- —Yakkan Shoumei
Permit Required
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Testosterone is controlled as an anabolic steroid in Japan. Import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei) required. Testosterone gels and patches may have stricter requirements than oral or injectable forms.
- —Prescription
- —Yakkan Shoumei import certificate for testosterone products
Permit Required
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Cannabis is strictly prohibited in Japan under the Cannabis Control Act. No exceptions for medical use. Severe penalties apply.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
CBD isolate products with zero THC are technically legal but proving zero THC content at the border is extremely difficult. Strong risk of detention.
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Diazepam can be imported for personal use up to one month supply. Carry prescription and keep in original packaging.
- —Prescription
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Melatonin is not approved as a pharmaceutical drug in Japan and is not sold OTC. Travelers may bring melatonin as a personal supplement in reasonable quantities. Keep in original labeled packaging. Large amounts may be questioned at customs.
- —Original packaging
Pseudoephedrine
WHO: Precursor chemical (listed in Table I of the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988)
Products containing pseudoephedrine are controlled due to methamphetamine precursor concerns. Small personal quantities in original packaging generally accepted.
- —Original packaging showing pseudoephedrine content
Amoxicillin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (penicillin antibiotic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metformin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (oral antidiabetic)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Insulin (injectable)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (hormone)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Atorvastatin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (statin)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Lisinopril
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (ACE inhibitor)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amlodipine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (calcium channel blocker)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Levothyroxine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (thyroid hormone)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Omeprazole
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (PPI)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Warfarin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (anticoagulant)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ibuprofen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (NSAID)
Ibuprofen is OTC in most destinations.
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (analgesic)
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is OTC in most destinations.
Morphine
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
Yakkan-Shoumei (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)Oxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
Yakkan-ShoumeiAlprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
Yakkan-ShoumeiLorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Permit must be obtained at least 14 days before travel.
- —Original prescription
- —Doctor's letter
- —Authority pre-approval
Permit Required
Yakkan-ShoumeiSertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Fluoxetine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metoprolol
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (beta-blocker)
Standard prescription-only medication; carry in original container with prescription label.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Esomeprazole
WHO: PPI (related to omeprazole)
Rx-only in this market.
- —Prescription