Coming home from Japan with “I should have bought more!” is one of the most common travel regrets. Japan’s drugstores, convenience stores, supermarkets and department stores carry great-value items you can’t easily find elsewhere, so a solid Japan shopping list really helps.
Whether you’re heading to Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, Fukuoka or Sapporo, this Japan shopping list covers drugstore favorites, snacks, everyday goods and drinks.
1. Japan Drugstore Must-Buys
Japanese drugstores sell a wide range of medicine, supplements and daily essentials at low prices, which makes them a must-visit for travelers. Many effective products are hard to find in Korea, so bring a list.
Top 3 Japanese Eye Drops
- Sante Medical Plus: a must for anyone who stares at phones and monitors all day.
It relieves eye strain and nourishes tired eyes after long hours of screen time.
It can help people with dry eyes or eyes that tire easily keep their eyes healthy with regular use.
- Soft Santear: artificial tears that relieve dryness from contact lenses.
Wearing lenses for long hours can leave your eyes dry and gritty. Soft Santear can be used with lenses in, for both hard and soft lenses, so it’s a must for lens wearers.
- Sante FX Neo: a cool, refreshing drop for tired eyes.
One drop wakes your eyes right up. The menthol feels refreshing and helps reduce redness, so it’s great for office workers, students and long-distance drivers.
Note: the menthol is strong and may sting at first, so take care if your eyes are sensitive.
Drugstore Medicine and Beauty Must-Buys
- Coin patches: small pain patches that are easy to stick on a sore neck or shoulders.
- Salonpas: long-lasting cooling patches for back pain and muscle aches.
- Ohta’s Isan tablets and powder: Japan’s go-to stomach remedy for bloating and overeating.
- EVE Quick: a fast-acting pain reliever for headaches and menstrual cramps.
- Allergil tablets: effective for pollen allergies and itchy skin.
- Pabron cold medicine: works quickly when you feel a cold coming on.
- CHOI masks: so popular they’re called Japan’s national mask.
Compare ingredients and effects before buying, and some items are cheaper during sales.
2. Convenience Store and Supermarket Snacks
Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets have plenty of snacks you can’t easily get in Korea. Japan-only items often leave you craving them long after the trip, so put them on your Japan shopping list.
- Ichiran ramen kit: enjoy the famous Ichiran ramen at home.
- Jersey pudding: a popular dessert with a smooth, rich caramel flavor.
- KitKat: flavors like green tea, sakura and sweet potato that are hard to find in Korea.
- Royce’ chocolate: melt-in-your-mouth nama chocolate, a classic souvenir.
- LeTAO cheesecake: Hokkaido’s famous cheesecake with a deep, rich flavor.
- Luna vanilla yogurt: a creamy yogurt worth grabbing at any convenience store.
Convenience stores also carry many limited-edition desserts, so check the seasonal releases.
3. Department Store and Lifestyle Gifts
- Yuskin hand cream: deeply moisturizing, a must in dry seasons.
- Francfranc homeware: great for stylish decor and pretty tableware.
Department stores sell Royce’ chocolate and LeTAO cheesecake tax-free, which helps you save.
4. Beer and Highballs to Buy at Convenience Stores
Beer and highballs are a big part of any trip to Japan, and convenience stores and supermarkets sell a wide range at low prices.
- Orion beer: Okinawa’s famous crisp, refreshing beer.
- Jim Beam highball: cheaper than Suntory but still delicious, a great-value highball.
Highball price comparison
- Suntory highball: the better-known brand, but a bit pricier.
- Jim Beam highball: the same style at a much lower price.
Comparing prices between convenience stores and supermarkets saves even more.
5. Japan Shopping Tips
- Check drugstore sales
Compare prices at Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Cocokara Fine and Don Quijote before buying.
- Look for regional limited items at convenience stores and supermarkets
Each region has its own limited editions, so pick up items you can only buy there.
- Use department stores and airport duty-free shops
Royce’ chocolate and LeTAO cheesecake can be cheaper at duty-free shops.
- Leave room in your suitcase
The items on a Japan shopping list add up in weight, so save space in your luggage.
Check your Japan shopping list before you go! I hope it helps you shop smarter, avoid the “why didn’t I buy that?” regret and pick up exactly what you need at a good price.
Save this post and refer to it whenever you shop in Japan.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in February 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.