10 weird and wonderful things you can find in a Japanese drugstore

As we all know, Japan is full of many weird and wonderful things. A simple trip to the supermarket can turn into hours of wondering what this is and what that does, and the same goes for the drug store. We picked up 10 things from our local drugstore that might shock, amuse, or confuse foreign visitors.

1. Ear cleaners

Japan goes a step further than your usual cotton buds with these devices that claim to get all that icky wax out of your ears.

2. Warming eye masks

Available in a range of soothing scents, these are more than mere ordinary eyemasks. When you put them on the pads over the eyes start to warm up, and the combination of heat and smell works together to send you drifting off into the land of nod. It actually felt really relaxing when I tried it, and I’m definitely going to be purchasing some of these for my next long-haul flight.

3. Hot pink anti-constipation pills

They may look like candy but you don’t want to eat them like they are or you’ll be spending a whole lot of time on the squatter. Surprisingly, Japanese people tend to be more open about their bowel movements than Westerners and, rather than hiding behind plain, unobtrusive packaging, these anti-constipation pills come in a bright pink packet that appeals to women.

4. Anti-hangover drinks

This is something I’m sure would be a hit in Europe if they could market it right. Drink this “power of turmeric” drink before you go out on the town, and you’re supposed to wake up with a clear head the next day. (Whether it actually works or not is debatable, and something I plan to put to the test in the future. For science, of course.) I was put off by the bottle and the bright orange liquid it contained, but it was actually surprisingly tasty! It tasted a little like Calpol, that medicine from my youth that many a child would fake illness for in order to get a sip of.

5. Hand warmers

Japanese people buy disposable hand warmers by the dozen during the cold winter months. They contain chemicals that produce heat thanks to exothermic oxidation, and these particular ones claim to stay warm for up to 9 hours. Many people like to stick them in their gloves or in their waistbands to stave off a chill.

6. Anti-allergy spray

Kafunsho, or hay fever, is a huge problem here in Japan with millions of sufferers sniffling through the spring and summer months. Many people cover up with a mask and take tablets, but there’s a new defensive treatment on the market that promises to protect you from allergies just by spraying it on your face.

7. Moist face masks

We’ve all seen the pictures of Japanese people hiding their faces behind their trusty masks. As I’m sure our readers are already aware, this is usually to avoid passing on an illness rather than avoid catching one, or to protect against pollen allergies. Apparently behind at least some of these masks a rather strange secret is lurking. This brand comes with moist pads that are supposed to stop your throat from drying out during the day. They’re also very useful on long flights for the same reason – give them a try.

8. Ghostly face masks

Face masks are a popular beauty treatment the world over, involving slathering a usually green (why is it always green?) mud-like goop onto your face and leaving it to sit. However, the ones you usually find in Japan are a paper-like mask soaked in an essence.

9. Eyelid tape

We’ve already written a lot about the desire for double eyelids in Asian countries. For those not wanting to take the surgical route there’s always the marginally less painful-looking eyelid tape sold at drug stores all over Japan.

10. Themed bath salts

Stores like Lush have proved the appeal of smelly things to put in your bath, but Japan takes it a step further with anime-themed bath salts.

Japanese drugstores can be a wonderland of beauty and health products, ranging from incredibly useful things that you then wonder how you ever lived without, to the most pointless things that have you questioning why anyone ever thought they were necessary. And many stores, such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, are now offering tax-free shopping to tourists so you can stock up on things you won’t find anywhere else!

If you’re in Japan make sure to drop by and check out what’s on offer – I’d definitely recommend picking up some of those warming eyemasks for the long flight home.

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