Getting sick or feeling unwell during a trip can be stressful.
In Japan, drugstores are useful places where you can find medicine, masks, tissues, skincare items, daily goods, and health products.
However, when you need medicine, it can be difficult to explain your symptoms in Japanese.
Do not worry.
With a few simple phrases, you can ask drugstore staff for help more easily.
In this guide, Keiko will show you 5 useful Japanese phrases to use at a drugstore in Japan.
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}🌟 3 Key Points to Remember
Before buying medicine in Japan, keep these simple points in mind.
1. Show your symptoms clearly
If you cannot explain your symptoms in Japanese, showing them on your phone can help a lot.
You can use a translation app, a symptom list, or a photo of the medicine you usually take.
2. Ask before taking medicine
Do not guess if you are unsure how to take a medicine.
Ask staff or a pharmacist about the dosage, timing, and warnings.
3. Be careful with allergies and medical conditions
If you have allergies, are pregnant, take regular medication, or have a medical condition, tell the staff clearly before buying medicine.
For serious symptoms, strong pain, breathing trouble, allergic reactions, or emergencies, seek medical help instead of relying only on drugstore medicine.
💊 1. 痛み止めはありますか？
Itamidome wa arimasu ka?
This means, “Do you have pain medicine?”
This phrase can be useful if you have a headache, toothache, muscle pain, period pain, or other mild pain during your trip.
Drugstore staff may guide you to the pain reliever section or ask about your symptoms.
If you want to explain the type of pain, you can say:
- “Atama ga itai desu.” — I have a headache.
- “Onaka ga itai desu.” — My stomach hurts.
- “Nodo ga itai desu.” — My throat hurts.
- “Ha ga itai desu.” — My tooth hurts.
If you are not sure which medicine is right for you, ask staff instead of choosing only by the package design.
🤧 2. 風邪薬はどこですか？
Kazegusuri wa doko desu ka?
This means, “Where is the cold medicine?”
This phrase is useful when you have mild cold symptoms, such as a cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever.
In many Japanese drugstores, cold medicine is displayed in a medicine section, but there may be many different types.
Some medicine is for coughs, some is for fever, and some is for several symptoms together.
If you are unsure, explain your symptoms as simply as possible.
You can say:
- “Seki ga demasu.” — I have a cough.
- “Hana mizu ga demasu.” — I have a runny nose.
- “Netsu ga arimasu.” — I have a fever.
- “Nodo ga itai desu.” — My throat hurts.
Showing your symptoms on your phone can also make the conversation easier.
📋 3. これは一日何回飲みますか？
Kore wa ichinichi nan-kai nomimasu ka?
This means, “How many times a day should I take this?”
This is a very important phrase when buying medicine in Japan.
Even if the medicine looks familiar, the dosage and timing may be different from what you expect.
You can point to the medicine and ask this phrase before buying or taking it.
You may also want to ask when to take it:
- “Itsu nomimasu ka?” — When should I take it?
- “Shokugo desu ka?” — Is it after meals?
- “Shokuzen desu ka?” — Is it before meals?
- “Nemuku narimasu ka?” — Will it make me sleepy?
Always follow the package instructions and staff guidance carefully.
⚠️ 4. アレルギーがあります。
Arerugii ga arimasu.
This means, “I have allergies.”
This phrase is very important if you have allergies to medicine, food ingredients, pollen, animals, or other substances.
If you know the name of your allergy, show it clearly on your phone in Japanese or English.
For example, you can prepare a note that says what you are allergic to before your trip.
You can also say:
- “Kusuri no arerugii ga arimasu.” — I have a medicine allergy.
- “Tamago arerugii ga arimasu.” — I have an egg allergy.
- “Kafunshou desu.” — I have hay fever.
If your allergy is serious, make sure to communicate it clearly and seek medical help when needed.
🙏 5. ありがとうございます
Arigatou gozaimasu.
This means, “Thank you very much.”
You can use this phrase after staff help you find medicine, explain instructions, or guide you to the right section.
Drugstore staff may be busy, so a simple polite thank you is always appreciated.
You can also say “Sumimasen” before asking a question.
Together, these two phrases are very useful:
“Sumimasen.” — Excuse me.
“Arigatou gozaimasu.” — Thank you very much.
💡 Useful Drugstore Phrases
Here are more simple phrases that can help you at a Japanese drugstore.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| すみません | Sumimasen | Excuse me |
| 痛み止めはありますか？ | Itamidome wa arimasu ka? | Do you have pain medicine? |
| 風邪薬はどこですか？ | Kazegusuri wa doko desu ka? | Where is the cold medicine? |
| これは一日何回飲みますか？ | Kore wa ichinichi nan-kai nomimasu ka? | How many times a day should I take this? |
| いつ飲みますか？ | Itsu nomimasu ka? | When should I take it? |
| 眠くなりますか？ | Nemuku narimasu ka? | Will it make me sleepy? |
| アレルギーがあります | Arerugii ga arimasu | I have allergies |
| 薬剤師さんはいますか？ | Yakuzaishi-san wa imasu ka? | Is there a pharmacist? |
📌 Keiko’s Tip
If you feel unwell in Japan, showing your symptoms on your phone can help a lot.
You can show a translation app, a symptom checklist, a photo of your usual medicine, or a note about your allergies.
When buying medicine, check the dosage, timing, warnings, and whether it may cause sleepiness.
If your symptoms are serious, getting worse, or difficult to explain, do not rely only on drugstore medicine.
Ask hotel staff, station staff, or local support services for help finding a clinic or emergency care.
Final Thoughts
Japanese drugstores are useful places for travelers, especially when you need basic health items during your trip.
With simple phrases, you can ask for pain medicine, find cold medicine, check how often to take medicine, explain allergies, and thank the staff politely.
You do not need perfect Japanese.
Prepare a few key words, show your symptoms clearly, and ask for help when you are unsure.
These small steps can make your trip in Japan feel safer and less stressful.
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