Packing for Japan is a little different from preparing for a typical vacation. Unlike a beach resort where you may stay in one place most of the time, Japan often means moving between train stations, walking through temple grounds, exploring traditional neighborhoods, and carrying your essentials throughout the day.
The good news is that Japan is incredibly convenient. If you forget something, you can usually find quality replacements at convenience stores, pharmacies, and department stores. But bringing the right items from home can still make your trip much more comfortable—especially for senior travelers.
After years of planning Japan journeys for older travelers, we've learned that the small details matter. The right shoes, a well-organized medication bag, lightweight luggage, and a few practical travel accessories can make long sightseeing days feel much easier.
In this guide, we'll share the essential items to pack for every season, seasonal packing tips for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, important medication considerations, and useful electronics that can make your Japan trip smoother and more enjoyable.
5 Key Takeaways
1. Ten items are non-negotiable in every season: passport with 6+ months validity and copies, prescription medications in original packaging with a Japanese translation, slip-on walking shoes, a credit card plus small cash, a 10,000 mAh power bank, a coin purse, a foldable umbrella, an insulated water bottle, face masks, and a bilingual emergency card.
2. Pack light on purpose. Japanese stations are full of stairs, narrow passages, and limited luggage space. Anything you forget, convenience stores and drugstores can supply within walking distance. If you over-pack, ship the excess to your next hotel with luggage forwarding (Takkyubin).
3. Medications carry the highest risk of any item in your bag. Japan bans several common Western ingredients, including pseudoephedrine and codeine. Prescription medications are limited to 30 days without paperwork. Have UME Travel check your full medication list before you fly.
4. Pack by season, not by guesswork. Spring needs pollen masks and layers, summer needs heat protection plus an indoor air-conditioning layer, autumn needs rain gear, and winter needs slip-resistant boots and thermal layers. Each season's checklist is below.
5. One-bag philosophy for electronics: a 10,000 mAh power bank, your phone with offline translation, and a plug adapter only if you come from outside North America. Japan runs on 100V Type A sockets, so US and Canadian plugs fit directly.
Table of Contents
Ⅰ. Quick Summary: 10 Packing Essentials for Senior Travelers
Ⅱ. The Senior Packing Mindset: Travel Light, Travel Easy
Ⅲ. Season-by-Season Japan Packing Checklists
Ⅳ. Essential Medication & Health Guide for Japan
Ⅴ. Tech & Electronics Made Simple for Senior Travelers
Ⅵ. Frequently Asked Questions About Packing for Japan
Ⅰ. Quick Checklist: Top 10 Must-Have Items for Older Adults
These ten items belong in every bag, whether you travel in March cherry blossom season or December snow. They cover the three things that go wrong most often on senior trips to Japan: documents, medications, and unexpected weather. Each card explains why the item matters, so you can decide what applies to your trip.
1. Passport with 6+ months validity & a photocopy
Japan requires a passport valid for the duration of your stay; airlines usually ask for 6 months of remaining validity. Carry a photocopy separate from the passport itself, and store a digital scan in your email or cloud drive. If the passport is lost, the copy makes replacement at your embassy much faster. See our Visa & Document Guide for the full passport rules.
2. Prescription medications (original packaging + prescription + Japanese translation)
Japan checks medications by active ingredient, not by brand. Keep every medicine in its original packaging with the pharmacy label, carry a copy of your prescription, and bring a Japanese translation of each drug name and dose. Do not transfer pills into a weekly organizer for the flight. More on the rules in Section IV.
3. Comfortable slip-on walking shoes
Most Japan itineraries involve 4,000 to 12,000 steps per day, and temples often sit at the end of uneven stone paths. Slip-on shoes let you take them off quickly at temple entrances and ryokan, and they save you from bending over to tie laces. Break them in at home for at least two weeks before departure.
4. Credit card + a small amount of yen cash
Cards work in most city hotels, restaurants, and department stores, but temples, small shops, and rural towns are cash-first. Carry 20,000 to 40,000 yen (about $150 to $300) in cash plus your card. Do not exchange money at the airport counter for the whole trip; ATM rates at 7-Eleven are better. See our Budget Guide for cash strategy details.
5. Portable power bank (10,000 mAh)
Navigation, translation, and photos drain a phone by mid-afternoon. A 10,000 mAh power bank charges a phone two to three times. It must go in your carry-on; airlines do not allow power banks in checked luggage. See Section V for the electronics list.
6. Coin purse
Japan is one of the most coin-heavy countries in the world. The yen has coins for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500, and you collect them at every convenience store, vending machine, and temple admission gate. A small coin purse keeps the change from rattling loose in your pockets and speeds up every checkout.
7. Foldable umbrella
Rain showers can appear in any season, and summer typhoons and the June rainy season make umbrellas essential. A compact folding umbrella fits in a daypack. If you forget one, convenience stores sell quality umbrellas for a few hundred yen, but carrying your own from home saves the hassle on arrival day.
8. Insulated water bottle
Japanese summers are hot and humid, and winter air is dry. An insulated bottle keeps water cool in summer and warm tea in winter. Refill it at your hotel each morning. Staying hydrated matters more than people realize on walking-heavy itineraries, and it saves the cost and plastic of buying bottled water all day.
9. Face masks
Masks are worn routinely in Japanese hospitals, clinics, and crowded trains and buses. If you catch a cold or visit a pharmacy for someone who is unwell, you will want one. Spring travelers should also pack pollen masks for the cedar pollen season that peaks in March and April.
10. Emergency contact card (Japanese + English)
Carry a small card with your name, hotel name and address, emergency contacts, blood type, allergies, and current medications, written in English and Japanese. If you need medical help, this card lets staff understand your situation instantly, even without an interpreter. UME Travel provides a printable bilingual template with every booking.
Quick check: If your bag contains these ten items, you can survive the first 48 hours of any Japan trip comfortably. Everything else on this page is about making the rest of the trip smoother. Print the checklist below and tick items off as you pack.
Print-Ready: The 10 Must-Have Items
Passport (6+ months validity) + photocopy + digital scan
Prescription medications in original packaging + prescription + Japanese translation
Comfortable slip-on walking shoes (broken in)
Credit card + 20,000 to 40,000 yen cash
Portable power bank (10,000 mAh) in carry-on
Coin purse
Foldable umbrella
Insulated water bottle
Face masks (plus pollen masks for spring)
Bilingual emergency contact card
Ⅱ. Travel Light, Travel Easy: The Golden Rule for Japan Travel
Before the checklists, one mindset shift makes every other packing decision easier. Japan rewards travelers who pack light, and it punishes those who do not.
Japanese train stations were built decades ago, and many still have stairs instead of escalators, narrow ticket gates, and platforms with limited space. Between the airport and your hotel, and then between cities, every bag you bring is a bag you lift onto trains, carry through ticket gates, and haul up station steps. A single large suitcase plus a daypack is comfortable. A suitcase plus a carry-on plus a tote bag turns every transfer into a small ordeal.
The second reason to pack light is that Japan fills in the gaps better than any country we plan trips in. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are on nearly every corner and stock everything from toothpaste to socks to heat packs. Drugstores such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Sundrug carry quality versions of most toiletries and over-the-counter medicines. The practical difference between what you pack and what you need is small, and almost everything you forgot is a five-minute walk away.
Core principle: Buy what you forgot in Japan. Ship what you over-packed back home or ahead to your next hotel. Japan's luggage forwarding service (Takkyubin) delivers suitcases between hotels for about $15 to $25 per bag, usually by the next morning. See our Transportation Guide for how to use it.
One exception to pack light: Japanese clothing sizes run about one size smaller than Western sizes. Taller and larger travelers should bring enough clothing for the full trip rather than planning to buy replacements in Japan. Shoe sizes above US men's 10 or women's 8 are especially hard to find.
The Right Bag Setup: One Suitcase + One Daypack
After hundreds of senior trips, the setup we recommend is a single checked suitcase plus a daypack that stays with you on the train. The suitcase holds clothing and supplies and travels between hotels through luggage forwarding. The daypack holds the ten must-have items, your medications, and whatever you need for the day: water bottle, umbrella, coin purse, and a light layer.
| Bag | Size | How It Travels |
| Checked suitcase | 26 to 28 inches (66 to 71 cm) height, one per traveler | Airline hold, then luggage forwarding between hotels. Fits the Shinkansen overhead shelf at 63 inches (160 cm) or less total dimensions. |
| Daypack | 20 to 25 liters, shoulder or backpack style | Carry-on for the flight, on your back or in the overhead rack on trains. Holds everything you need for a day out. |
| Carry-on roller | Optional, only if you want a third bag | Skip it. Two bags per traveler is the practical maximum; a third bag turns every station transfer into a balancing act. |
Laundry solves the clothing question. Most mid-range hotels offer a laundry service (typically $8 to $15 per load), and coin laundromats are common in city neighborhoods. Plan for five to six days of outfits, do one wash mid-trip, and you cover even a 14-day itinerary without a second suitcase.The 3-Day Countdown: Last-Minute Checklist
Everything above assumes you have time. In the three days before departure, run through this short list. It catches the mistakes that surface at the airport, not at home.
3 Days Before Departure
Check your passport's validity against the 6-month rule and note where the photocopy is packed.
Print prescriptions and Japanese translations, and put them with your medications, not in a separate folder.
Download offline packs: Google Translate (Japanese) and offline maps for the cities on your route. Do this on WiFi at home; downloads fail at the airport.
Charge the power bank fully and confirm it is in your carry-on, not your checked suitcase.
Notify your bank and credit card company of the travel dates, so cards are not blocked on the first day.
Pack the bilingual emergency card and confirm your hotel's address in Japanese is written on it.
Print or download your travel insurance documents and medical evacuation contact number.
Check the 10-day weather forecast for your first city and adjust the season checklist if needed.
Ⅲ. Seasonal Packing Guide: Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter
Japan has four distinct travel seasons, and each one changes what belongs in your bag. The overview below shows what to expect; the four tables that follow give the full checklist for each season.
| Season | Months | Typical Temperatures | Main Concern |
|---|
| Spring | March to May | 45 to 75°F (7 to 24°C) | Cedar pollen, sudden showers, cherry blossom crowds |
| Summer | June to August | 77 to 95°F (25 to 35°C), high humidity | Heatstroke, rainy season, strong indoor air conditioning |
| Autumn | September to November | 50 to 82°F (10 to 28°C) | Typhoon season in September, cool evenings |
| Winter | December to February | 14 to 50°F (-10 to 10°C) | Dry air, ice on northern roads, strong indoor heating |
Spring (March to May)
Spring is cherry blossom season, which means two things: the most beautiful scenery of the year and the heaviest crowds. March is still cold, May is single-layer weather, and the swing between them happens within weeks. Cedar pollen peaks in March and April, so travelers with allergies should pack masks and antihistamines even if they rarely need them at home.
| Category | Must Pack | Optional | Notes |
| Outerwear | Light windbreaker + thin down jacket | Medium-weight coat | March stays cold at 45 to 54°F (7 to 12°C); May is fine in a single layer |
| Tops | Long-sleeve tees x 3 to 4 + thin sweaters x 2 | Shirts | Layering is essential; daytime temperature swings can reach 27°F (15°C) |
| Bottoms | Long pants x 2 | Jeans | Comfortable walking pants with stretch work best |
| Rain gear | Foldable umbrella | Water-resistant jacket | Spring showers are frequent and brief |
| Footwear | Slip-on walking shoes | Backup pair | Cherry blossom viewing means long walking days |
| Special attention | Pollen masks | Allergy medication | Cedar pollen season peaks March to April |
Summer (June to August)
Japanese summers are hot, humid, and punctuated by the rainy season in June and typhoons through August. Heatstroke prevention is the first priority for senior travelers in July and August. Less obvious: indoor air conditioning in trains, department stores, and hotels is set very cold, often around 72°F (22°C), so a thin long-sleeve layer belongs in every daypack even on the hottest day.
| Category | Must Pack | Optional | Notes |
| Outerwear | Thin long-sleeve top x 1 | Light cardigan | Indoor air conditioning can drop to 72°F (22°C) |
| Tops | Short-sleeve tees x 5 to 6 (one per day) | Quick-dry fabric | Cotton absorbs sweat but dries slowly in the humidity |
| Bottoms | Light long pants or capri pants x 2 | Shorts | Temples expect covered shoulders and knees; shorts are not appropriate |
| Rain gear | Lightweight rain jacket + foldable umbrella | Waterproof shoe covers | June rainy season plus summer typhoons |
| Footwear | Breathable slip-on shoes | Sandals with arch support | Avoid flip-flops; they are slippery on wet pavement |
| Heat protection | Sunscreen SPF 50+, sun hat, sunglasses | Cooling towel, handheld fan | Salt candy is sold at every convenience store; keep some in your daypack |
| Special attention | Electrolyte powder or salt candy | Insect repellent | Heatstroke prevention is the number one priority in July and August |
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the second peak season, when the maples turn red across Kyoto and Nikko. September can still feel like summer and is also typhoon season. November turns genuinely cold, especially in the mountains. The wide temperature range makes this the easiest season to over-pack; the table keeps it simple.
| Category | Must Pack | Optional | Notes |
| Outerwear | Medium-weight coat | Thin down jacket | September is still warm; November requires a real coat |
| Tops | Long-sleeve tops x 3 to 4 + sweaters x 2 | Shirts | Layering handles the big morning-to-evening temperature swing |
| Bottoms | Long pants x 2 to 3 | — | Lightweight wool or fleece-lined pants add warmth without bulk |
| Rain gear | Foldable umbrella | Light water-resistant jacket | Typhoons are most likely in September |
| Footwear | Slip-on walking shoes | — | Autumn is the best walking season in Japan; good shoes matter most now |
| Special attention | Thin scarf (from late October) | Moisturizer | The air turns dry from November onward |
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Tokyo is cold but dry, at 36 to 50°F (2 to 10°C). Northern destinations such as Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps drop below 14°F (-10°C), with ice and heavy snow. The key to winter in Japan is layers, because indoor heating in trains, hotels, and shops is strong, and you will want to peel layers off indoors and put them back on outside.
| Category | Must Pack | Optional | Notes |
| Outerwear | Thick down jacket or wool coat (knee-length preferred) | — | Tokyo runs 36 to 50°F (2 to 10°C); Hokkaido drops below 14°F (-10°C) |
| Base layer | Thermal underwear x 2 sets (top and bottom) | Heat-tech style fabric | Indoor heating is strong, so layer for easy removal |
| Tops | Sweaters x 2 to 3 | — | Wool or cashmere blends pack warm without bulk |
| Bottoms | Thick pants x 2 | Thermal leggings | Fleece-lined pants are worth the space |
| Footwear | Waterproof, slip-resistant boots | Indoor slippers | Roads in the north can ice over; grip is not optional |
| Accessories | Gloves, scarf, knit cap | Heat packs (buy in Japan) | Disposable heat packs cost a few dollars at 100-yen shops |
| Special attention | Lip balm, moisturizer | — | Winter air in |
Packing season-specific but not sure about the weather on your dates? Tell us your travel dates and we will send a weather note plus a tailored packing reminder for your route. Plan My Trip
Ⅳ. Prescription Medicines in Japan: Rules You Cannot Ignore
Read this section twice. Medications are the single highest-risk item in a senior traveler's bag. Japan regulates medicines by active ingredient, not by brand or intended use. A cold medicine you have taken for years may contain an ingredient that Japan classifies as a controlled substance, and a valid prescription from your doctor does not override Japanese law. Confiscation at customs is common; being denied entry happens in serious cases.
Japan's Strict Medication Import Rules
The table below summarizes what you can bring, the limits that apply, and what paperwork you need. When in doubt, the safe move is to send your full list to UME Travel before booking flights.
Medication
| Allowed? | Limit | What You Need |
| Common prescription drugs (blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) | Yes | Up to 30 days' supply | Original packaging + prescription + Japanese translation |
| Over-the-counter drugs (pain relievers, etc.) | Yes | Up to 2 months' supply | Original packaging |
| Medicines containing pseudoephedrine (some cold medicines) | No | — | Prohibited from entering Japan |
| Painkillers containing codeine | No | — | Prohibited from entering Japan |
| ADHD medications (such as Adderall) | No | — | Prohibited from entering Japan |
| Insulin | Yes | Reasonable supply for the trip | Keep refrigerated; carry a doctor's letter |
| Traditional Chinese medicine / herbal preparations | Needs confirmation | Some ingredients are banned | Check Japanese customs rules in advance |
| More than 30 days' supply of prescription drugs | Needs application | — | Apply in advance for a Yakkan Shoumei (import certificate) |
Two paperwork routes matter. For more than one month's supply of ordinary prescription medicines, apply for a Yakkan Shoumei (import certificate) through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website, ideally at least two weeks before departure. For controlled substances such as strong painkillers or psychotropic medicines, a separate Yunyu Kakunin-sho (import approval) is required, and some of these are banned outright. The full process, including the four medication categories and the banned-ingredient list, is covered in our Visa & Document Guide.
Medication Packing Checklist
How to Pack Medications Safely
Keep all medications in their original packaging. Do not transfer pills into a weekly organizer.
Bring a copy of each prescription plus a Japanese translation of drug names and doses. UME Travel provides a free translation template with every booking.
Prepare a one-page medication list: drug name, dose, purpose, and your doctor's contact details, in English and Japanese.
Split medications into two sets: one in your carry-on, one in your checked suitcase. Checked luggage can be delayed or lost.
Pack the full trip supply plus 3 extra days, in case of flight delays.
Keep the medication list with your emergency card, and hand both to customs if you are asked.
What to Bring vs. Buy in Japan
Not every medical item belongs in your suitcase. Japanese drugstores are excellent, and many everyday supplies are cheaper and higher quality there than in airport shops. The table separates what you must bring from what you can buy after arrival.
| Item | Bring or Buy? | Notes |
| Prescription medications | Bring | Japanese pharmacies cannot refill foreign prescriptions. Bring the full supply. |
| Band-aids / plasters | Buy in Japan | Japanese drugstores sell high-quality ones at low prices |
| Motion sickness medicine | Bring or buy | Japan has its own brand (Travelmin / Toraberumin) |
| Anti-diarrheal medicine | Bring or buy | Japan has Seirogan and other effective options |
| Cold medicine | Buy in Japan | Check the ingredients; some Western cold formulas are banned |
| Blood pressure monitor | Bring a portable one | Japanese hotels do not always provide one |
| Blood glucose meter | Bring | Pack enough test strips for the whole trip plus extras |
Recommended drugstore chains: Matsumoto Kiyoshi (the largest, with English signage in major cities), Daikoku Drug (discount pricing), and Sundrug (wide selection). Most have pharmacy counters with staff who can help using picture cards.
Ⅴ. Stay Connected: Essential Chargers, Adapters & Travel Tech
Japan is a digital-friendly country, but the details matter: sockets run at 100V, pocket WiFi needs booking in advance, and translation apps work offline only if you download the language packs before you leave home. The table below settles each decision.
| Item | Must Bring? | Notes |
| Portable power bank (10,000 mAh) | Yes | Navigation, translation, and photos drain phones fast. Must stay in carry-on luggage. |
| Smartphone + translation apps | Yes | Google Translate (download the offline Japanese pack at home) and VoiceTra for voice translation |
| Plug adapter | Depends on country | Japan uses Type A at 100V. US and Canadian plugs fit directly. Europe, UK, and Australia need a Type A adapter. |
| Camera | Optional | A modern phone camera is enough for most travelers; a compact camera is fine if you prefer one |
| Pocket WiFi router or travel router | Optional | Or rent a pocket WiFi device in Japan (see below) |
Connectivity options: An eSIM such as Airalo is the simplest option for newer phones. Buy it before departure and it activates on landing, no physical SIM swap needed. If your phone does not support eSIM, rent a pocket WiFi device from providers such as Japan Wireless or Ninja WiFi; both offer airport pickup and return counters at Narita and Haneda, and the devices support GPS maps and translation for two to five devices at once.
One voltage note for travelers bringing appliances: Japan runs on 100V, while the US uses 120V and Europe and Australia use 220 to 240V. Phone and camera chargers are almost always dual-voltage (marked 100 to 240V) and work fine with a simple adapter. Devices without the dual-voltage marking, such as some hair dryers, need a step-down converter, which is bulky. The practical answer for most senior travelers: leave the hair dryer at home and use the hotel's, which is already set up for Japanese voltage.
Ⅵ. Japan Travel Packing FAQs for Seniors
Q1: Can I bring my prescription medication to Japan?
Yes, up to 30 days' supply in original packaging with your prescription and a Japanese translation. More than 30 days requires a Yakkan Shoumei application in advance.
Japan allows most common prescription medicines such as blood pressure and diabetes drugs without paperwork, as long as the supply does not exceed 30 days. Keep the original packaging and pharmacy labels intact, and carry a copy of the prescription plus a Japanese translation of each drug name and dose. For longer trips or larger supplies, apply for a Yakkan Shoumei through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website at least two weeks before flying. UME Travel provides a free translation template and checks your list against Japan's rules before departure. The full breakdown is in our Visa & Document Guide.
Q2: What painkillers are banned in Japan?
Painkillers containing codeine are banned, as are any medicines with amphetamines such as Adderall and Vyvanse. Cold medicines with pseudoephedrine, like Sudafed, are also prohibited.
Japan regulates by active ingredient. Common offenders include codeine-based painkillers, pseudoephedrine cold and allergy medicines, and stimulant medications for ADHD. Even a small supply in a carry-on can be confiscated, and larger amounts can lead to questioning and denial of entry. If you take any of these regularly, contact your doctor before the trip to arrange a Japanese-approved alternative or a temporary substitute. Send your medication list to UME Travel and we will verify every ingredient against the prohibited list before you fly.
Q3: How much cash should I bring to Japan?
20,000 to 40,000 yen (about $150 to $300) covers most 10 to 14 day trips. Cards work in cities; smaller shops and rural areas prefer cash.
Major hotels, restaurants, and department stores accept credit cards, and contactless payment (IC cards and QR payments) is common in cities. But temple entrance gates, small family shops, market stalls, and most of rural Japan are cash-first, so a daily float of about 3,000 to 5,000 yen is practical. ATMs at 7-Eleven stores and Japan Post Bank accept foreign cards and dispense yen around the clock, with better rates than airport exchange counters. For a full daily budget breakdown and currency strategy, see our Budget Guide.
Q4: Do I need a plug adapter for Japan?
Only if you come from Europe, the UK, or Australia. Japan uses Type A outlets and 100V, so US and Canadian plugs fit directly.
Type A is the same flat two-pin plug used in North America, so travelers from the US and Canada need no adapter at all. Travelers from the UK, Europe, and Australia need a Type A adapter. Voltage is the second factor: Japan runs 100V, while the US runs 120V and other regions run 220 to 240V. Phone and camera chargers marked 100 to 240V work fine anywhere. Appliances without that marking need a step-down converter, which is heavy; for senior travelers, the simpler answer is to leave such appliances at home.
Q5: Should I bring my own wheelchair or walker?
If you use one at home, bring it. Airlines check assistive devices free of charge, and Japan's airports, hotels, and major attractions provide step-free routes and assistance.
Assistive devices fly free on most airlines and can be used all the way to the boarding gate. Japan's major airports provide wheelchair assistance through check-in, security, and boarding, and most hotels have step-free entrances and accessible rooms. If you need a wheelchair or walker only for part of the trip, quality equipment can be rented in Japan, and UME Travel can arrange delivery to your first hotel so it is waiting when you arrive. For step-free route planning and rental details, see our Accessibility Guide.
Q6: How big can my suitcase be on the Shinkansen?
No strict limit, but on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, bags with total dimensions over 63 inches (160 cm) need a reserved seat in the oversized luggage area.
For senior travelers, the comfort issue matters more than the rule. A standard 26 to 28 inch suitcase fits on the overhead shelf above the seat. Bags larger than that require a seat reservation in the oversized luggage area at the back of the car, and spaces sell out in peak seasons. Most UME Travel guests avoid the problem entirely by using luggage forwarding (Takkyubin): the hotel sends your suitcase to the next hotel for about $15 to $25, arriving by morning, while you travel with just a daypack. How to book both the oversized luggage seats and the forwarding service is covered in our Transportation Guide.
Q7: Can I buy over-the-counter medicine in Japan?
Yes. Drugstores such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Sundrug, and Daikoku Drug sell quality OTC medicines for colds, pain, stomach upsets, and motion sickness.
Japanese OTC medicines are effective and well regulated, but the active ingredients often differ from Western brands, and some familiar Western formulas are not sold in Japan. If you need a specific type of medicine, a pharmacist can usually help with a picture card or simple English. Two cautions: check the ingredient label of any cold medicine you buy, since Japanese products can also contain regulated compounds, and bring your own supply of any medicine you rely on daily, because Japanese pharmacies cannot refill foreign prescriptions. For the banned-ingredient list and how to verify your own medicines, see the Visa & Document Guide.
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Related Japan Senior Travel Guides
How Many Days in Japan — 7/10/14-day itineraries compared, with daily step counts to plan your walking shoes around
Caregiver Guide — Daily pacing, medication management across time zones, and medical emergencies
Accommodation Guide — Senior-friendly hotels and ryokan with Western beds and seating
Food Guide — Senior-friendly dishes, dietary restrictions, and restaurant picks