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Japanese drugstores have whole shelves of vitamins: Chocola BB, Alinamin, Q&P Kowa, DHC, FANCL and more. Some are medicines, some are quasi-drugs, and some are foods sold as supplements. The box tells you which, but only in Japanese.
This guide explains the labels, how to read the box, and 7 widely sold products with Japanese names and prices on 6 November 2026. For medicine in general, see our Japanese drugstore OTC medicine guide.
We did not test these products, and there is no ranking. Facts come from the makers’ pages, package inserts (添付文書) and official Japanese pages. Follow the label and ask the pharmacist or registered seller, especially if you are pregnant, take other medicine or are buying for a child.
📌 What you will learn
In a hurry? Japanese drugstores sell vitamins in two very different groups. Vitamin medicines (第3類医薬品) and quasi-drugs (指定医薬部外品) are approved for the uses printed on the box. Supplements such as 栄養機能食品 are foods, not medicines. Check the category, the age limit and the daily amount, and do not take several vitamin products at once. Follow the label and ask the pharmacist (薬剤師) or registered seller (登録販売者).
- The labels on the box
- How to read the box
- 4 vitamin medicines
- 3 supplements (foods)
- Before you buy, tax-free and taking home
- Frequently asked questions
- The short version
※ Prices include tax and were checked on 6 November 2026: makers’ suggested prices (メーカー希望小売価格), makers’ online shops, 価格.com (kakaku.com) lowest prices and a large drugstore’s online shop. Shop prices are often lower than the maker’s price. This is not medical advice.
The labels on the box
One of these labels, in small print on the box, tells you what the product is.
| Label on the box | What it is | What the label means |
|---|---|---|
| 第3類医薬品 / 第2類医薬品 (OTC medicine) | Medicine | Approved for the uses (効能・効果) written on the box. Sold by a pharmacist or registered seller. All 4 vitamin medicines in this guide are class 3 |
| 指定医薬部外品 (designated quasi-drug) | Quasi-drug | Each product is approved by the government. Vitamin “health aids” (ビタミン含有保健剤) for tiredness and nutrition are in this group. Some are also sold at convenience stores |
| 特定保健用食品 (トクホ, FOSHU) | Food | The government checked the health claim and the safety of this product, then approved it |
| 機能性表示食品 (food with function claims) | Food | The company told the Consumer Affairs Agency before selling it. The government does not review each product. The box shows a notification number (届出番号) and says it is not for diagnosing, treating or preventing disease |
| 栄養機能食品 (food with nutrient function claims) | Food | Contains set amounts of certain vitamins or minerals and may use fixed wording about them. No approval or notification needed. The box says it was not individually reviewed |
| No label: 健康食品 / サプリメント | Food | An ordinary food. It may not claim any health function |
※ From the Consumer Affairs Agency (消費者庁), Sapporo City’s food-labelling page (updated 30 January 2025), PMDA and a Ministry of Health notice on vitamin quasi-drugs (2017). Medicine risk classes: Sakai City (updated 1 May 2026).
The Ministry of Health’s guide says health foods and medicines are completely different things (健康食品と薬とは全く別のものです). A supplement capsule may look like medicine, but it is a food and cannot treat illness.
How to read the box
Medicines show approved uses, dose and ingredients. Foods show a daily amount and an ingredient list.
✅ Japanese words on vitamin boxes
- 効能・効果 = what the medicine is approved for (medicines and quasi-drugs only)
- 用法・用量 = how to take it and how much, by age
- 成分・分量 = ingredients and amounts, usually for the whole day (2錠中 = in 2 tablets)
- 15歳未満の小児は服用しないこと = do not take if under 15
- 食後 = after meals; 1日2回 = twice a day; 1日1回 = once a day
- 1日の摂取目安量 = daily amount for a food supplement (for example 1日2粒 = 2 a day)
- 原材料名 = ingredient list of a food; ゼラチン = gelatin
- 錠 = tablets; 粒 = pieces (tablets or capsules); 日分 = days’ supply
What the makers and the Ministry of Health say
⚠️ Points from the inserts and official guides
- More is not better. Keep to the daily amount. The Consumer Affairs Agency says taking too much can harm your health
- Do not stack products. Eisai warns about taking too much when you also use other vitamin products
- On medicine? The Ministry’s guide says supplements can make medicine stronger or weaker. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first
- Children: the Ministry’s guide says not to give tablet or capsule supplements to children
- Pregnant or breastfeeding? The Ministry’s guide does not recommend supplements. Ask a doctor or pharmacist
- Feel unwell? Stop and see a doctor. The medicine inserts say stop and ask an expert if you get a rash or stomach trouble, or see no change after about a month
- Yellow urine is common with vitamin B2. The makers say this is not a cause for worry
4 vitamin medicines (第3類医薬品)
These four are class 3 OTC medicines with approved uses (from the makers’ pages), for ages 15 and over only.
1. チョコラBBプラス (Eisai Chocola BB Plus)
A vitamin B2 medicine with B6 and B1. Eisai’s approved uses include relief of rough skin, acne, mouth ulcers, cracked lips, eczema, rashes and red or itchy eyes, and vitamin B2 supply when tired, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and after illness. No change after about a month? Ask a doctor or pharmacist. The drink チョコラBBローヤル2 is a 指定医薬部外品.
| Japanese name | チョコラBBプラス |
|---|---|
| Maker | エーザイ (Eisai) |
| Category | 第3類医薬品 |
| Form | Small tablets, 60 / 120 / 180 |
| Main ingredients (2 tablets) | ビタミンB2リン酸エステル 38 mg, ビタミンB6 50 mg, ビタミンB1硝酸塩 20 mg, ニコチン酸アミド 40 mg, パントテン酸カルシウム 20 mg |
| Daily amount | 1 tablet twice a day, after breakfast and dinner |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only |
| Price | Maker: ¥1,694 (60), ¥3,146 (120), ¥4,466 (180). 価格.com lowest ¥1,137 for 60 (6 Nov 2026) |
2. アリナミンEXプラス (Alinamin EX Plus)
A vitamin B1, B6 and B12 medicine with vitamin E. The approved uses include relief of eye strain, muscle and joint pain (such as stiff shoulders and lower back pain), nerve pain and numbness in the hands and feet, and vitamin supply when tired, after illness, and during pregnancy or breastfeeding. No change after about a month? Ask a doctor or pharmacist. Swallow the tablets whole.
| Japanese name | アリナミンEXプラス |
|---|---|
| Maker | アリナミン製薬 (Alinamin Pharmaceutical) |
| Category | 第3類医薬品 |
| Form | Sugar-coated tablets, 60 / 120 / 180 / 270 |
| Main ingredients (3 tablets) | フルスルチアミン (vitamin B1) 100 mg, ビタミンB6 100 mg, ビタミンB12 1,500 μg, ビタミンE 100 mg, パントテン酸カルシウム 30 mg, γ-オリザノール 10 mg |
| Daily amount | 2–3 tablets once a day, after a meal (no more than 3) |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only. Ask first if you are under a doctor’s care or have had a drug allergy |
| Price | Maker: ¥2,398 (60), ¥4,488 (120), ¥6,578 (180), ¥8,778 (270). 価格.com lowest ¥1,839 for 60 (6 Nov 2026) |
3. キューピーコーワゴールドα (Kowa Q&P Kowa Gold α)
A tonic (滋養強壮) tablet with herbal extracts, vitamins and caffeine. Kowa’s approved uses: nourishment and strength, a weak constitution, and nutrition when tired, after illness, with poor appetite or fever, and during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Take it any time; if twice, leave 6 hours. The additives include gelatin. The older “ゴールドα-プラス” has no current prices on 価格.com. The convenience-store キューピーコーワゴールドα錠 is a 指定医薬部外品.
| Japanese name | キューピーコーワゴールドα |
|---|---|
| Maker | 興和 (Kowa) |
| Category | 第3類医薬品 |
| Form | Tablets, 90 / 160 |
| Main ingredients (2 tablets) | エゾウコギ and オウギ extracts, オキソアミヂン 50 mg, L-アルギニン 50 mg, ビタミンB1 10 mg, B2 4 mg, B6 10 mg, E 20 mg, C 100 mg, ニコチン酸アミド 25 mg, 無水カフェイン (caffeine) 50 mg |
| Daily amount | 1 tablet, once or twice a day |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only |
| Price | Open price (no maker price). 価格.com lowest ¥1,453 for 90, ¥2,250 for 160 (6 Nov 2026) |
4. ハイシーL (Hi-C L)
A chewable vitamin C medicine with vitamin B2. The approved uses: relief of pigmentation from spots, freckles, sunburn and rashes; prevention of bleeding gums and nosebleeds; and vitamin C supply when tired, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, after illness and in old age. No change after about a month? Ask a doctor, pharmacist or dentist. It can affect urine and stool tests, so tell your doctor.
| Japanese name | ハイシーL |
|---|---|
| Maker | アリナミン製薬 (Alinamin Pharmaceutical) |
| Category | 第3類医薬品 |
| Form | Chewable tablets, 40 (with case); 60 / 100 refills |
| Main ingredients (3 tablets) | ビタミンC 2,000 mg (アスコルビン酸 and L-アスコルビン酸ナトリウム), 酪酸リボフラビン (vitamin B2) 12 mg |
| Daily amount | 1 tablet, 1–3 times a day, after meals. Chew or let it dissolve |
| Age (label) | 15 and over only |
| Price | Maker: ¥2,002 (40), ¥2,398 (60), ¥3,883 (100). 価格.com lowest ¥1,411 for 40 (6 Nov 2026) |
3 supplements (foods, not medicines)
These three are foods with no approved medical uses. The fixed label wording only says what a nutrient does in the body. They usually cost less per day than the medicines.
5. DHC ビタミンC ハードカプセル (DHC Vitamin C hard capsules)
A simple vitamin C supplement labelled 栄養機能食品 (ビタミンC). The label says vitamin C helps keep skin and mucous membranes healthy and has antioxidant action. The capsule is gelatin. The shop page says ask a doctor first if you take medicine, see a doctor regularly or are pregnant.
| Japanese name | DHC ビタミンC ハードカプセル 60日分 |
|---|---|
| Maker | DHC |
| Category | 栄養機能食品 (food) |
| Form | Hard capsules, 120 (60 days); 20-day and 90-day packs too |
| Main ingredients (2 capsules) | ビタミンC 1,000 mg, ビタミンB2 2 mg. Capsule: ゼラチン (gelatin), colourings |
| Daily amount | 2 capsules a day |
| Age (label) | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| Price | ¥527 at the Create SD online shop; 価格.com lowest ¥381 (6 Nov 2026) |
6. ファンケル マルチビタミン (FANCL Multi Vitamin)
A one-a-day multivitamin with 12 vitamins. FANCL’s page shows nutrient function wording (栄養機能表示) for vitamin B2, biotin and vitamin E. The allergen list shows soy (大豆). FANCL says skin may rarely look yellow (carotenoids).
| Japanese name | ファンケル マルチビタミン |
|---|---|
| Maker | ファンケル (FANCL) |
| Category | Food with nutrient function claims |
| Form | 30 pieces (30 days); 90-day pack (3 bags) |
| Main ingredients (1 piece) | ビタミンA 770 μg, D 5.5 μg, E 6.3 mg, B1 1.2 mg, B2 1.4 mg, ナイアシン 13 mg, B6 1.3 mg, 葉酸 240 μg, B12 2.4 μg, ビオチン 50 μg, パントテン酸 4.8 mg, C 100 mg |
| Daily amount | 1 a day |
| Age (label) | Not stated on the page we checked |
| Price | FANCL online shop: ¥712 (30 days), ¥2,031 (90 days) (6 Nov 2026) |
7. ネイチャーメイド スーパーマルチビタミン&ミネラル (Nature Made Super Multi Vitamin & Mineral)
12 vitamins and 7 minerals in one piece a day, labelled 栄養機能食品 (亜鉛・銅・ビオチン). The fixed wording says zinc helps keep the sense of taste normal, copper helps form red blood cells, and biotin helps keep skin and mucous membranes healthy. Otsuka lists no gelatin and no allergens. It contains iron.
| Japanese name | ネイチャーメイド スーパーマルチビタミン&ミネラル |
|---|---|
| Maker | 大塚製薬 (Otsuka Pharmaceutical) |
| Category | 栄養機能食品 (food) |
| Form | 120 pieces (120 days) |
| Main ingredients (1 piece) | Calcium 200 mg, magnesium 100 mg, zinc 6 mg, iron 4 mg, copper 0.6 mg, selenium, chromium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C 125 mg, D 10 μg, E 9 mg, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid |
| Daily amount | 1 a day |
| Age (label) | Not stated on the page we checked |
| Price | Maker: ¥2,850 before tax (about ¥3,078 with 8% tax). 価格.com lowest ¥1,930 (6 Nov 2026) |
All 7 at a glance
| Product | Category | Main ingredients | Daily amount | Age (label) | Price (6 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| チョコラBBプラス | 第3類医薬品 | B2, B6, B1 | 2 tablets | 15+ | ¥1,137–¥1,694 (60) |
| アリナミンEXプラス | 第3類医薬品 | B1, B6, B12, E | 2–3 tablets | 15+ | ¥1,839–¥2,398 (60) |
| キューピーコーワゴールドα | 第3類医薬品 | Herbal extracts, B group, C, E, caffeine | 1–2 tablets | 15+ | From ¥1,453 (90) |
| ハイシーL | 第3類医薬品 | C 2,000 mg, B2 | 1–3 tablets | 15+ | ¥1,411–¥2,002 (40) |
| DHC ビタミンC | 栄養機能食品 | C 1,000 mg, B2 | 2 capsules | Not stated | ¥381–¥527 (60 days) |
| ファンケル マルチビタミン | Food (nutrient claims) | 12 vitamins | 1 piece | Not stated | ¥712 (30 days) |
| ネイチャーメイド スーパーマルチ | 栄養機能食品 | 12 vitamins, 7 minerals | 1 piece | Not stated | ¥1,930–¥3,078 (120 days) |
※ Higher = maker’s price; lower = 価格.com lowest or a drugstore online shop. Shipping not included.
Before you buy, tax-free and taking home
✅ Check before you buy
- Category: 医薬品 (medicine), 指定医薬部外品 (quasi-drug) or a food such as 栄養機能食品
- Age: the 4 medicines here say 15 and over only. For children, ask the pharmacist
- Daily amount: 用法・用量 or 1日の摂取目安量. Do not take more
- Overlap: a multivitamin plus a vitamin C product plus a vitamin drink can add up. Count the vitamins on each box
- Other medicine, pregnancy or a long-term illness: ask the pharmacist, registered seller or your doctor first
- Caffeine: キューピーコーワゴールドα contains caffeine
- Gelatin or soy: read 原材料名 and 添加物
For other drugstore buys, see our Japan drugstore shopping guide. Have a cold? See our Japanese cold medicine guide.
Halal and vegan
None of the maker pages we checked says a product is halal or vegan, so treat this as not confirmed. Read the ingredient list and contact the maker.
Can I buy vitamins tax-free?
Since 1 November 2026, Japan uses a refund system. You pay the full price with tax, and you get the tax back after customs checks the goods when you leave Japan. You need to spend at least ¥5,000 (before tax) in one shop on one day, show your passport at the tax-free terminal within 90 days, and do it before you check in your bags.
The Japan Tourism Agency says consumables such as food, drinks and cosmetics that are used in Japan cannot get the refund, and you must tell the customs officer about anything you used. Its page does not name vitamins or supplements, so ask the shop if you are not sure. Read more in our Japan tax-free shopping guide.
Taking vitamins home
Rules for bringing medicines and supplements into a country differ. Check your own country’s official rules before you buy, and keep the box and insert.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a vitamin is a medicine or a supplement?
Look at the label. 第3類医薬品 (medicine) and 指定医薬部外品 (quasi-drug) have approved uses. 栄養機能食品, 機能性表示食品, トクホ or no label means it is a food.
Why is my urine bright yellow?
Many vitamin products contain vitamin B2. The makers say this can make urine yellow and is not a cause for worry.
Can I take two vitamin products together?
Be careful. The same vitamins can be in several products, and the Consumer Affairs Agency says taking too much can harm your health. Show the boxes to the pharmacist or registered seller and ask.
Can children take these?
The four medicines here are for 15 and over only. The Ministry of Health’s guide says not to give tablet or capsule supplements to children. Ask the pharmacist.
Can I buy vitamins tax-free?
Yes, if you spend at least ¥5,000 (before tax) in one shop on one day. You get the tax back when you leave Japan, and items used in Japan are not eligible.
Are these vitamins halal or vegan?
Not confirmed by the makers’ pages. Gelatin is listed for キューピーコーワゴールドα and DHC ビタミンC.
The short version
Japanese vitamins come in two groups. チョコラBBプラス, アリナミンEXプラス, キューピーコーワゴールドα and ハイシーL are class 3 medicines with approved uses on the box, for ages 15 and over. DHC ビタミンC, ファンケル マルチビタミン and ネイチャーメイド スーパーマルチ are foods, not medicines. Check the category, age limit and daily amount, do not stack vitamin products, and follow the label. If you are pregnant, take other medicine or are buying for a child, ask the pharmacist or registered seller first.
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