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Ultimate Guide to Japanese Drugstore & OTC Medicines: Taught
140 students

Ultimate Guide to Japanese Drugstore & OTC Medicines: Taught

Navigate Japanese drugstores with confidence. A complete guide for Tourists & Expats covering Skin, Cold, Pain, & more.
Created byJUN HAGIWARA
Last updated 1/2026
English
English

What you'll learn

  • Understand the Japanese drugstore system and how to categorize OTC medicines. （
  • Identify the best Japanese medicines for specific symptoms like skin trouble, pain, and colds.
  • Learn the medical causes behind common health issues in simple, easy-to-understand English.
  • Master key active ingredients to choose the right product without relying on translation apps.

Course content

2 sections • 10 lectures • 1h 56m total length

  • Japanese Pharmacist Explains: How to Read Medicine Labels & Drugstore Guide | EP11:39

    Learn to read Japanese medicine labels and navigate OTC products, including medicines, quasi-drugs, and health foods, with clear categorization of Pharmaceuticals Requiring Guidance, Class 1–3, FOSHU, and FFC.

  • Pharmacy vs Drugstore in Japan: Do You Know the Difference? | EP212:50

    Explore the differences between pharmacies and drugstores in Japan, and why drugstores are the best source for otc medicines (class 1-3), with online options and limited convenience store availability.

  • 5 Things You Must Know Before Buying Medicine in Japan (Pharmacist Guide) | EP311:44

    Explore the top five features of Japanese OTC medicines, from multi-ingredient formulas and a vast product variety to safety, Kampo formulations, and PTP packaging.

  • How to Choose Medicine in Japan: 3 Easy Steps (Pharmacist Explains!) | EP412:21

    Discover how to choose medicine wisely in Japan using three tips: decide on the product before you go, read the label for ingredients and warnings, and tell staff your symptoms.

Requirements

  • An interest in Japan and a desire to learn about its high-quality healthcare products.
  • No medical background is required. Everything is explained in simple English.

Description

Have you ever walked into a Japanese drugstore, surrounded by thousands of products, and felt completely lost?

Getting sick or having skin trouble in a foreign country is stressful. The packages are full of complex Kanji characters, and Google Translate doesn't always tell you the medical nuances. "Is this the right medicine for my symptom?" "Is this safe to use?" "Why are there so many different types?"

Stop guessing at the pharmacy. This course is your ultimate survival guide to Japanese healthcare, taught by a Licensed Pharmacist in Japan.

Why take this course? Unlike other guides that just translate product names, this course teaches you the "Logic" behind choosing medicines. I use a unique 3-step approach: "Pathology (Cause) → Active Ingredients → Best Products". By understanding the Why and How, you will be able to find the right cure for yourself or your family without relying on translation apps.

What you will learn:

  • The System: How to distinguish between OTC medicines, Class 1 drugs, and products requiring a prescription.

  • The Labels: How to read key Japanese medical terms on packages.

  • The Logic: Understand the mechanism of symptoms (e.g., Why do pimples form? What causes dry skin?) and identify the specific ingredients needed to fix them.

  • The Best Products: A curated list of the most effective Japanese medicines for Skin trouble, Pain, Cold, and more.

About the Instructor: My name is Jun. I am a Licensed Pharmacist and MBA holder with nearly 10 years of experience in the Japanese pharmaceutical industry. I am also a published author and run a popular YouTube channel dedicated to healthcare education. My mission is to make Japanese high-quality medicines accessible and understandable for everyone.

Who is this course for?

  • Tourists: Who want to travel safely and handle sudden illness during their trip.

  • Expats & Residents: Who live in Japan and want to navigate drugstores like a local.

  • Japan Lovers: Anyone interested in Japanese culture and healthcare products.

No medical background is required. I explain everything in simple, easy-to-understand English. Join me in this course, and let's make your stay in Japan safer, healthier, and stress-free!

Who this course is for:

  • International tourists planning a trip to Japan who want to travel safely.
  • Expats and residents living in Japan who find Japanese drugstores confusing.
  • nyone interested in Japanese culture and maintaining their health while in Japan.

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