Japanese drugstore shopping: skincare, sunscreen and what to skip

Japanese drugstores (look for the word drug on bright signs) sell skincare, makeup, snacks, toiletries and over-the-counter medicine under one roof. Big chains sit next to most busy stations and stay open late.

Reading sunscreen labels

Japanese sunscreens are the best-known drugstore buy. The labels use two ratings:

• SPF measures protection against UVB (sunburn). SPF50+ is the top rating.
• PA measures protection against UVA (skin ageing), from PA+ to PA++++. Four plus signs is the highest.

Formulas labelled "milk" are light and liquid; "gel" and "essence" are lighter still. "Water resistant" or "super waterproof" versions are made for the beach and need a cleanser to remove.

What visitors buy most

• Sunscreen in milk and gel textures.
• Sheet face masks, sold in boxes of 30 or more.
• Cleansing oils and gentle face washes.
• Lip balms and medicated lip care.
• Eye drops (check your home country's rules on medicines first).
• Snacks and regional sweets, which are often cheaper here than at souvenir shops.

Getting a good price

• Prices can differ by several hundred yen between chains. Check two stores before buying a lot.
• Discount stores (big, cluttered, open late) sometimes beat drugstores on cosmetics but have less choice.
• Look for the "tax-free" sign at the entrance. Larger stores have a separate tax-free till with staff who speak English or Chinese.

Tax-free from November 2026

• Spend ¥5,000 or more before tax in one store.
• From 1 November you pay full price and claim the tax back at the airport after a customs check.
• Consumables like cosmetics must stay unopened until you leave Japan.
• The ¥500,000 daily cap on consumables is gone, and stores no longer seal them in bags.

Packing it home

Bottles over 100 ml go in checked luggage. Do the airport customs check for tax-free goods first, then repack liquids and check in your suitcase.