Japan's Kampo & Traditional Medicine Complete Guide

⚡ 30-second answer: Tsumura, Kracie, and Matsuura are Japan's big three Kampo makers. A consultation at a Kampo pharmacy costs ¥3,000-15,000, and over-the-counter extract granules run ¥1,500-4,000 per box. Kampo originated in China but evolved independently in Japan, with 148 formulas covered by national health insurance, including Kakkonto (cold remedy) and Hochuekkito (fatigue formula).

Quick reference	Value
Major makers	Tsumura / Kracie / Matsuura / Kotaro
Pharmacy consultation	¥3,000-15,000
OTC extract granules	¥1,500-4,000 / box
Insurance-covered formulas	148 types
Payment	Cash / card / IC / QR
Last verified	June 2026

30-Second Answer

Kampo (漢方) is a traditional medical system brought from China in the 5th-6th centuries and developed independently in Japan. It differs from Chinese TCM in that prescriptions are built around a Japanese-specific constitution diagnosis called "sho" (証). Tourists can buy OTC extract granules or receive a consultation at a Kampo pharmacy. Expect ¥3,000-15,000 for a pharmacy session and ¥1,500-4,000 per box for OTC products.

Top 10 Kampo Brands & Consultation Pharmacies

1. Tsumura — 80% domestic share; makes 129 prescription extract formulas, the doctor's go-to brand
2. Kracie Pharmaceutical — OTC extract granules like Kakkonto and Kikyoto are widely available at drugstores
3. Matsuura Yakugyo — Nagoya-based, broad lineup from decoctions to OTC products
4. Kotaro Kampo — Osaka HQ, makes both prescription and OTC products
5. Kotaro Kampo Pharmacy — Nationwide chain of around 50 stores for Kampo consultations
6. Nihondo Kampo Boutique — Flagship stores in Ginza and Shinjuku; consultations from ¥3,300
7. Seishindo Pharmacy — Kanto-focused, strong in fertility and women's health
8. Kampo Kotaro Shinsaibashi — Central Osaka, experienced with foreign visitors
9. Isetan Shinjuku 6F Kampo counter — Premium department-store setting for peace of mind
10. Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia and other drugstore Kampo counters — The largest OTC channel; English signage is increasingly common

💰 Pricing

Kampo pharmacies typically charge "consultation fee + medicine cost."

• First consultation: ¥3,000-5,500 (30-60 min)
• Follow-up visits: ¥1,500-3,300
• Decoction (one month): ¥15,000-30,000
• Extract granules (one month): ¥6,000-15,000
• Drugstore OTC Kakkonto: ¥1,200-2,500 (10 days)
• Insurance prescriptions (via a doctor): ¥1,000-3,000/month at 30% co-pay

Tourists pay 100% out of pocket since insurance does not apply. Card and QR payments are increasingly accepted, though small private pharmacies may still be cash-only.

🌐 For Foreign Visitors

English support varies widely by store.

• Nihondo: English menus and English-speaking staff at select stores
• Matsumoto Kiyoshi Ginza, Shinjuku East, Dotonbori: Multilingual POP and tablet translation
• Yakuju Pharmacy Shibuya Scramble Square: Staff trained for inbound visitors
• Independent Kampo pharmacies: Bring a translation app to be safe

Constitution diagnosis involves detailed questions about cold sensitivity, hot flashes, bowel movements, sleep, and menstruation, so jotting your symptoms in Japanese via Google Translate beforehand makes the visit smoother.

⏰ Hours

Consultations are generally by appointment. Some shops accept walk-ins, but booking by phone or via the official website the day before is safest.

💳 Payment

• Cash: Accepted everywhere, required at small private pharmacies
• Credit cards: VISA / Mastercard at large chains and department stores
• JCB / AMEX: Major chains only
• Transit IC (Suica/PASMO): Widely accepted at drugstores
• PayPay / Rakuten Pay: Mid-size and larger
• Alipay / WeChat Pay: Available at inbound-focused stores

For pricier decoctions, prefunding with Wise rather than withdrawing yen on the spot keeps fees down.

⚠️ Important Notes

• Drug interactions: Always tell the pharmacist what Western medicines you take
• Customs at the airport: Some ingredients like ephedra (麻黄) are restricted in certain countries
• Don't self-prescribe by "it sounds effective": Kampo only works when matched to your constitution (sho)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Some formulas like Keishi-bukuryo-gan are off-limits; always consult
• Shelf life: Extract granules last about 3 years; decoctions should be used quickly

Five Common Tourist Mistakes

1. Mistaking Kampo for supplements and buying in bulk — useless if it doesn't match your constitution
2. Struggling to explain symptoms in English, leading to a rough diagnosis — bring notes
3. Assuming you can buy at airport duty-free — most Kampo isn't sold there
4. Treating OTC drugstore products as identical to pharmacy-compounded formulas — they differ in concentration and recipe
5. Wanting more after you go home — international shipping is restricted, so stock up while in Japan

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Write your symptoms and constitution in English and Japanese
• Pick and book 1-2 Kampo consultation pharmacies
• Check your home country's rules on ephedra, licorice, etc.
• List your current medications and supplements (for interaction checks)
• Set aside ¥10,000-30,000 (consultation + 1 month supply)

FAQ

Q1. Is Kampo the same as Chinese TCM? A. Similar but different. Japan uses its own "sho" diagnostic system, and doses and combinations differ from Chinese practice.

Q2. Can I buy Kampo on a tourist visa? A. Yes — OTC freely, and pharmacy consultations are also available out of pocket. Insurance does not apply.

Q3. How long until I feel the effects? A. Acute conditions (cold, gastroenteritis): a few hours to 3 days. Chronic conditions: 2 weeks to 3 months.

Q4. Can I bring Kampo on the plane? A. Extract granules and tablets are generally fine. Liquid decoctions over 100ml should go in checked luggage.

Q5. Can I reorder online from abroad? A. Some pharmacies ship internationally, but ingredient restrictions block shipping to certain countries. Check first.

Editorial info: Yen Finder Editorial / last verified June 2026. Prices and hours may change.