Like aspirin, these are not prohibited unless they have some extra powerful drug mixed with them like Pseudoephedrine (which is illegal!). Most over-the-counter medicines are legal to bring into Japan such as Tylenol, Asprin, Claritin, Tums, Ibuprofen, Advil, and generic version.

No, aspirin is not illegal in Japan, and you can buy it over-the-counter (OTC) at any Japanese pharmacy (typically under the brand name "Bayer" or local equivalents). However, Japan has extremely strict laws regarding other common Western medications, which often leads to confusion. For example, medications containing pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) or codeine are strictly prohibited or require a "Yunyu Kakunin-sho" (import certificate). While you can bring up to a one-month supply of aspirin for personal use without any paperwork, you should always keep it in its original packaging to avoid suspicion at customs. If you are bringing a large quantity or a prescription-strength version, carrying a copy of your doctor's note is a smart precaution. In 2026, Japanese customs remain highly vigilant, so if your "aspirin" is actually a "combination cold medicine," you must double-check the ingredients to ensure there are no "Stimulant Raw Materials" which could lead to detention.