Zeria Pharmaceutical offers two types of this medicine: an ointment (the green packaging) and a cream (the blue packaging). It’s a rather famous product in Japan and helps against eczema, dermatitis, heat rashes, and other kinds of skin issues in everyday life. According to Mr. Yamanaka, the shop manager, it is particularly sought-after during the rainy season and summer, when people tend to sweat more than usual.

When your skin is itching and inflamed, we often pluck at it and scratch without even realizing, making the symptoms even worse. Prevaline α Ointment is a steroidal drug with PVA anti-inflammatory components that are quickly broken down once absorbed by the body and thus has a low activation. It also has few side effects. Additionally, the drug features Vitamin E that promotes blood circulation and accelerates the healing process, as well as Lidocaine that helps against the itch and isopropylphenol that sterilizes the affected area and thus prevents secondary infection. The ointment-type of Prevaline α boasts a long moisturizing effect while the cream is not sticky at all. The active ingredients of both products are the same, so choose whichever suits you best.

Price: ointment, cream (18g) for 1,677 yen

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical’s Feitas is widely known as a transdermal patch against pain. The Zα Jikusasu variety contains the highest concentration of Diclofenac sodium with 2%, an antiphlogistic analgesic component, as well as 3.5% L-Menthol. This makes the patch particularly effective for intense pain at the shoulders, neck, hip area, and even for indirect use. The pain relief lasts a full 24 hours. It is also very stretchable, fitting whichever body part you need it for just right. Also, it is rather gentle to the skin as it is peeled off. With a slight fragrance, you won’t have to worry about any medicinal smell either. According to Mr. Yamanaka, there are a lot of people who buy Feitas as their first choice when they have a stiff neck or shoulder pain. Even plenty of international shoppers opt for this patch.

Price: 7 patches for 1,000 yen / 14 patches for 1,700 yen / 21 patches for 2,400 yen / 7 patches (large) for 1,650 yen

Hepalyse GX promotes liver function as a medicine based on hepatic hydrolysates with nutritive analeptic effects. It works on the liver, promoting bile secretion and digestion of fat. It also promotes the movement of the digestive tract and boasts a nutritive analeptic effect. According to Mr. Yamanaka, a lot of Japanese businesspeople drink this before going out with colleagues to prevent hangovers. This medicine helps to protect the liver, as well as supporting the digestion and breakdown of alcohol, so it doesn’t matter whether you take it before or after enjoying some drinks. Besides the hangover prevention, Hepalyse GX also supplies nutrition in the case of a busy and stressful lifestyle, if you have to do a lot of overtime, lack of sleep, irregular meals, nutritional issues, if you feel tired, if you’re not very fit, and so on – all sorts of issues that modern people have to deal with.

Price: 360 tablets for 8,640 yen

Chondrobe Up Tablets is an internal medicine for joint pain relief. It protects the cartilage tissue and relieves joint pain. On top of that, it features four vitamins. There’s vitamin E for improved blood circulation, relief against a stiff neck and shoulders, and numbness of the limbs. Vitamin B1 and B6 activate the nerves, stimulate the metabolism of muscle tissue, and relieve back pain. Vitamin B12 has an effect on the peripheral nerves and helps with neuralgia. According to Mr. Yamanaka, these tables are effective for muscle and joint pain and seem to be a popular choice for not only Japanese shoppers but also international tourists.

Price: 90 tables for 2,839 yen / 180 tablets for 4,743 yen / 270 tablets for 6,648 yen / 360 tablets for 8,381 yen

White EX II Bihaku Tablets were developed by the major pharmaceutical manufacturer Daiichi Sankyo and Matsumoto Kiyoshi and they’re an incredibly popular product among Japanese women. According to Mr. Yamanaka, this drug enjoys a very high rate of repeat purchases. Vitamin C lightens the dark color of melanin. Furthermore, vitamin E improves the peripheral blood flow, has a smoothing effect on the metabolism, and works against blemishes and taint. L-cysteine works together with vitamin C and E to suppress the melanin production, which is the cause for spots and freckles. On top of that, this medicine also promotes the metabolism of the skin and through the release of melanin, it reduces the pigmentation of spots, freckles, and tan. Meanwhile, vitamin B2 and B6 work to promote the metabolism and the regular function of the skin. It is said that ‘a fair complexion hides all faults,’ but White EX II Tablets do not only prevent and heal external sunburn but also strengthen the body inside and out for fair skin. Let's become a beautiful woman with a fair complexion.

Price: 180 tablets for 1,886 yen / 270 tables for 2,667 yen

Daiichi Sankyo’s LULU series is a famous Japanese general cold medicine brand and is particularly popular in Taiwan. Among all products, the LULU Attack series is especially effective against the symptoms of a common cold. LULU Attack IB Ace was jointly planned by Daiichi Sankyo and Matsumoto Kiyoshi, blending 10 active ingredients in total. The two anti-inflammatory components are ibuprofen and tranexamic acid that suppress inflammation. As this is the root of painful symptoms, it works extraordinarily well against a sore throat, fever, and so on. Isopropamide iodide is a component that suppresses nasal secretion, as well as the antihistamic substance d-chlorpheniramine maleate that helps against a painful runny nose. Dihydrocodeine phosphate and dl-methylephedrine hydrochloride bring relief for heavy coughing.

Price: 30 tablets for 1,950 yen

The secret to Japanese health is natto, made from fermenting soybeans with the help of Bacillus natto. It is rich in nutrients such as vitamin K and protein. It’s a Japanese health food that has become more popular than old rice (rice harvested in the previous year). However, the unique stickiness and intense smell of natto are unacceptable for most Non-Japanese. However, foreigners also want to become healthy with natto’s nutritional value, just like the Japanese! So, what to do? Mr. Yamanaka especially recommends a product called “Nattokinase” by the Noguchi Medical Research Institute. It’s a health food made directly from natto’s nutritional components. 2000FU (Fibrinolysis Units) Nattokinase contains the daily recommended dosage of the natto-specific enzyme Nattokinase that helps to dissolve blood clots. There’s also 3000FU Nattokinase DX and 4000FU Nattokinase Premium. Of course, this supplement doesn’t have the strong natto smell, so by all means, enjoy natto’s amazing nutrients smell-free with the Nattokinase series!

Price: Nattokinase 60 tablets for 2,839 yen / Nattokinase DX 90 tablets for 3,791 yen / Nattokinase Premium 120 tablets for 4,743 yen.

Gastrointestinal balance is an important key to human health. Once the intestinal system is running, it absorbs nutrition from food properly and keeps the body healthy. However, factors such as modern eating habits and aging, Lactobacillus bifidus that are inherent to the human body are decreasing and it becomes necessary to improve the gastrointestinal environment with probiotics. Morishita Jintan’s Health Aid “Bifina S” is a lactic acid bacteria supplement that launched more than 20 years ago and had enjoyed immense popularity ever since. One bag contains 50 billion Lactobacillus bifidus (longum BB536), 10 billion lactic acid bacteria, and 0.3g oligosaccharide. All of this is contained in Morishita Junkan’s own patented capsule that is acid-resistant and protects the bacteria inside from gastric acid, delivering them to the bowels in an unharmed state. Once there, they take care of balancing the intestinal flora, promoting smooth bowel movements and improving one’s constitution, to name two effects. According to Mr. Yamanaka, this supplement is a popular item that a lot of tourists come to buy and it is especially recommended for those who tend to eat irregularly or have issues with their bowel movement.

Price: 30 granulate sticks for 2,839 yen

Svelty Pakkun Bunkai Yeast is an immensely popular product among Japanese women who are interested in dieting. According to Mr. Yamanaka, it is bought by people who are mindful of overeating, as it contains a yeast fungus that loves carbohydrate decomposition. This involves the new idea of a time capsule system that awakens the yeast with both food and temperature, causing it to start breaking up the carbohydrates. On top of that, this formula contains six kinds of herbs and other ingredients that help to prevent sugar absorption and the deposition of fat. Those include chitosan, which is known as a fat absorber in the United States for more than 10 years, navy bean extract, gymnema sylvestre, and oolong tea extract. People who are concerned about their body, people who want to diet, people with irregular eating habits, and especially people who enjoy carbohydrates such as pasta and rice – this diet food is a recommendation for you!

Price: 56 tablets for 1,380 yen / 3x Premium 56 tablets for 1,680 yen

Shinnihonseiyaku’s PERFECT ONE Moisture Gel is famous in both Japan and Taiwan, mainly because of its anti-aging properties and effect against skin troubles such as dryness, wrinkles, sagging, spots, and so on. All in all, it’s a cosmetic product for people that start to care about their age. The popular Moisture Gel features seven types of collagen that are part of 50 different moisturizing components! It’s an all-in-one serum that unites face lotion, milky lotion, cream, essence, face mask, and makeup base into one. The shop front features a skincare and moisturizing display, showcasing those products that are especially popular in Japan. According to Mr. Yamanaka, Matsumoto Kiyoshi’s Ginza Miyuki Ave. location is the first drugstore to feature a PERFECT ONE corner selling limited trial sets. If you want to try for yourself why this product is so popular, this is the best chance!

Price: Limited Trial Set for 2,000 yen (makeup remover, beauty essence, moisture gel)

Cell Pure is a dermatologic cosmetics series supervised and developed by the dermatologist Mayuka Miura, the director of Tokyo Ginza Skincare Clinic. It was created with her dermatological knowledge and carefully selected ingredients. Those are all-natural, free of fragrance, coloring, and mineral oils to bring healthy and beautiful skin to people of all skin types – it has become a rather hot topic in many Japanese women’s magazines. Upon hearing “aging care,” a lot of people imagine products geared towards older ages, but it does, in fact, require younger skin. According to Mr. Yamanaka, Matsumoto Kiyoshi’s Ginza Miyuki Ave. location is the first drugstore to feature a Cell Pure corner that let you try the product on the spot. For first-timers, we especially recommend the skincare starter kit.

Price: Skincare Starter Kit for 2,000 yen (makeup remover, cleansing foam, lotion, essence, cream)

Last but not least, Mr. Yamanaka recommends Matsumoto Kiyoshi’s most popular whitening series called BLANC WHITE. It’s a whitening cosmetic product that was jointly developed under Matsumoto Kiyoshi’s venture brand and Naris Cosmetics. It uses arbutin as its whitening active ingredient that suppresses the melanin production, prevents spots and freckles, and makes the skin all bright and glowing from the inside. Additionally, it combines highly moisturizing ingredients for a translucent feeling of your skin. It’s a great choice even for people who have never used the BLANC WHITE series before. Mr. Yamanaka especially recommends the “Bihaku Pack” (Whitening Mask) of the series that concentrates all whitening in one, so try it in summer if you’re worried about a tan. Those that strive for that fair complexion, don’t miss this limited sale!

Price: Whitening Mask, 5 sheets for 2,500 yen / 12 sheets for 6,000 yen

Matsumoto Kiyoshi is Japan’s leading drugstore chain, offering a massive selection for affordable prices. It’s one of those shops that pretty much every tourist stops by when coming to Japan. Matsumoto Kiyoshi opened the Ginza Miyuki Ave. Store in June 2018 as the seventh store in the Ginza, Yurakucho, and Hibiya area. Leave the Tokyo Metro Ginza Station and cross Ginza 5-Chome Intersection, and you’ll find Miyuki Ave. near GINZA SIX. The shop boasts very convenient access, so make sure to drop by!

Matsumoto Kiyoshi Ginza Miyuki Ave. Store has a main floor and a basement floor, mainly selling drugs, health food, medicine, drinks, masks, and supplements on the main floor. The basement floor is all about cosmetics, supplements, and beauty corners! It’s also the first Matsumoto Kiyoshi in Tokyo that has its own “supplement bar” and boasts a variety of massively popular items such as Perfect One, Cell Pure, and Matsumoto Kiyoshi exclusives. The staff can speak Chinese and there’s a tax exemption service, so enjoy shopping without worrying about a language barrier.

On top of all that, everyone who is interested in skincare can have their own skin checked at the beauty counter on the basement floor. Measuring instruments provide detailed data that can be used as a reliable reference as you shop. Another corner showcases makeup and cosmetics not by brand but by color, which is particularly convenient if you’re looking for something specific. To all the women out there – go check it out for yourself!
(All cosmetics introduced in this article can be found on the first floor.)

*All prices are without tax.
*The information in this article is as of June 2018.
*Products may be out of stock, varying by store.
*Product prices and are based on the display price at the store.
*The efficacy of the products is based on the information given by the manufacturer. The above information is for reference only.