Japanese Drugstore Chains: A Guide for Visitors
What to expect at Matsukiyo, Welcia, Sugi, Sun Drug, Daikoku, and Tomod's — the major chains you'll find across Japan.
Walk down almost any shopping street in Japan and you'll spot one. The ドラッグストア (drugstore) is a daily staple here — part pharmacy, part convenience store, part beauty shop. Cold medicine, face wash, snacks, vitamin drinks, laundry detergent — all in one place.
Japan has several major chains, each with its own personality and regional strengths. Here's a quick rundown of the six you're most likely to come across.
Tax-Free Shopping (免税)
Most major chains offer tax-free shopping for foreign visitors. You'll generally need to spend ¥5,000 or more (before tax) in a single visit and show your passport at the register. Look for the Tax Free sign near the entrance. Conditions can vary by store, so it's worth checking on the day.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi (マツモトキヨシ)
If you've spent any time near a train station or tourist area in Japan, you've almost certainly walked past a Matsukiyo. The yellow and green signage is hard to miss. It's probably the most internationally recognized drugstore brand in the country, and for good reason — locations are everywhere tourists tend to be.
Cosmetics and skincare are a particular strength here, alongside a solid OTC medicine selection. Stores in busy tourist areas sometimes have multilingual signage.
- Unmistakable yellow storefront
- Very strong in tourist areas and major stations
- Tax-free shopping available
- Point card: matsukiyo LALAcard, dポイント
Official site: matsukiyo.co.jp
Welcia (ウェルシア)
Welcia is one of the biggest drugstore chains in Japan by both store count and sales. You'll find it less in the heart of tourist districts and more in everyday neighborhoods and suburbs — especially around Tokyo and the Kanto region. Stores tend to be spacious, with a broad mix of medicines, food, and daily goods.
Many locations have a pharmacy counter with a licensed pharmacist on site, which is handy if you need a prescription filled or want to ask a detailed question about a medicine.
- One of Japan's largest chains
- Common in suburbs and residential areas
- Tax-free shopping available
- Point card: T-Point / Vポイント
Official site: welcia-yakkyoku.co.jp
Sugi Pharmacy (スギ薬局)
Sugi Pharmacy has its roots in the Tokai region — Aichi Prefecture in particular — and has expanded significantly into Kansai and other parts of Japan. It has more of a neighborhood pharmacy feel than some of the bigger chains, with a licensed pharmacist on staff at most locations.
If you're living in Nagoya or the surrounding area, Sugi is likely your go-to. Visiting Osaka or Kyoto? You'll see it there too.
- Strong in Tokai (Aichi) and Kansai regions
- Licensed pharmacist on staff at most stores
- Tax-free shopping available
- Point card: Sugiポイント
Official site: drug-sugi.co.jp
Sun Drug (サンドラッグ)
Sun Drug is a no-frills, reliable option that turns up in shopping malls, near train stations, and in residential neighborhoods across Japan. The product range covers all the basics — OTC medicines, cosmetics, food, and household goods — and it's generally known for keeping prices competitive.
Sun Drug also has an online store if you're looking to order something for delivery within Japan.
- Found nationwide in malls and near stations
- Competitive pricing
- Tax-free shopping available
- Online store: sundrug-online.com
Official site: sundrug.co.jp
Daikoku Drug (ダイコクドラッグ)
Daikoku Drug has been around since 1957 and is deeply rooted in Osaka. If you're heading to Namba or Shinsaibashi, you'll almost certainly walk past one. It's a popular stop for visitors to the Kansai region, with a good selection of cosmetics, skincare, and medicines at competitive prices.
Tax-free shopping is available, making it a common stop for tourists stocking up before heading home.
- Concentrated in Kansai (Osaka, Namba, Kyoto)
- Popular with tourists visiting Osaka
- Tax-free shopping available
Official site: daikokudrug.com
Tomod's (トモズ)
Tomod's is a Tokyo chain — you won't find it much outside the capital and surrounding Kanto area. It's smaller in scale compared to the nationwide names, but if you live in or around Tokyo, it's probably one you'll encounter regularly. The chain puts an emphasis on health and pharmacy services alongside the standard drugstore lineup.
Tomod's is part of the Sumitomo Corporation group, and its ST Point loyalty card can also be used at Summit Store and Colmopia supermarkets.
- Tokyo and Kanto area only
- Tax-free shopping available
- Point card: ST Point (also usable at Summit Store and Colmopia)
Official site: tomods.jp
A few things worth knowing
OTC medicines are labeled by drug class
Every OTC medicine in Japan is classified as 第1類, 第2類, 指定第2類, or 第3類. Class 1 products require a pharmacist (薬剤師) at the counter. Classes 2 and 3 can be sold by a registered salesperson (登録販売者). Don't be surprised if staff approach you with questions before ringing up certain items — that's standard practice, not suspicion. See our guide to Japan's drug class system for the full picture.
Bring your passport for tax-free
A copy won't do — you need the original. The cashier will record your details directly from your passport at the register, so have it handy before you get to the checkout.
Not sure what you're looking at?
Japanese medicine packaging can be hard to read even if your Japanese is decent. Before heading to the store, use OTC Guide Japan to look up common products — you'll find English explanations of ingredients, dosage, and warnings for the medicines you're most likely to need.
Check for an app
Most major chains have their own smartphone app where you can collect points and access coupons for discounts. If you're planning to shop at the same chain more than once, it's worth downloading before you visit.