The Complete Guide to Japanese Drugstores: How to Ask for Popular Items
Japanese drugstores (ドラッグストア - doraggusutoa) are a paradise for travelers. They're packed with not only medicine but also high-quality cosmetics, skincare products, snacks, and daily necessities, often at great prices. For many tourists, a trip to a Japanese drugstore is a key part of their shopping itinerary.
However, with aisles packed with unfamiliar products and packaging entirely in Japanese, finding what you need can be a challenge. While you can spend hours browsing, knowing how to ask for specific items can save you a lot of time.
This guide will give you the essential phrases to find popular items like cold medicine, pain relievers, and famous Japanese beauty products, so you can navigate the drugstore like a pro.
1. The Basic "Where Is...?" Phrase
This is the most important pattern. You can use it to ask for almost anything. Simply find a staff member (店員 - ten'in) and ask:
The Key Question:
すみません、[Item] はどこですか？
(Sumimasen, [Item] wa doko desu ka?)
"Excuse me, where is the [Item]?"
Now, let's learn the Japanese words for popular drugstore items to fill in the blank.
2. Asking for Common Medicines
When you're feeling unwell, you don't want to be guessing. Here are the terms for common remedies.
| Item | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (in general) | 薬 | Kusuri |
| Cold medicine | 風邪薬 | Kazegusuri |
| Pain reliever | 痛み止め | Itamidome |
| Stomach medicine | 胃薬 | Igusuri |
| Eye drops | 目薬 | Megusuri |
| Band-Aids | 絆創膏 | Bansōkō |
Example conversation:
すみません、風邪薬はどこですか？
(Sumimasen, kazegusuri wa doko desu ka?)
"Excuse me, where is the cold medicine?"
3. Finding Cosmetics and Skincare
"J-Beauty" is world-famous. Here's how to find some popular items.
| Item | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | 化粧品 | Keshōhin |
| Sunscreen | 日焼け止め | Hiyakedome |
| Face wash | 洗顔料 | Senganryō |
| Face mask / sheet mask | フェイスマスク / パック | Feisu masuku / Pakku |
4. If You Can't Say It, Show It!
Don't worry if you can't remember or pronounce the words. Technology is your friend!
💡 Pro Tip:
Find a picture of the product you want on your phone. Then, show it to a staff member and ask:
You (showing phone): すみません、これはありますか？
(Sumimasen, kore wa arimasu ka?)
"Excuse me, do you have this?"
This is a foolproof method that works every time!
Conclusion
Japanese drugstores are a highlight of any trip to Japan. Armed with these simple phrases—or just a picture on your phone—you can confidently find the products you're looking for. The staff are almost always kind and willing to help. Happy shopping!