A licensed pharmacist in Tokyo handles the Japanese side for you.
Tell us what's happening, in English. A licensed pharmacist finds English-speaking clinics near you, confirms by phone, and explains your prescription after the visit. If a clinic's English is limited, you also get a Japanese patient summary so nothing is lost.
One session
¥8,000 (tax incl., ~US$50) · one health concern · in writing · first reply within 24 hours (counting business days only: Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese public holidays, 29 Dec–3 Jan and 29 Apr–5 May are not counted; Japan time)
- · Licensed pharmacist
- · Replies within 24h (Japan business days)
- · Written, in English
- · Not a diagnosis
- · One health concern · typically 3–4 exchanges · up to 14 days
Full refund if we can't take on your request — we'll tell you in our first reply.
Sound familiar?
- · You're bringing medicine and aren't sure it's allowed
- · You're sick and don't know which clinic to go to
- · You were handed medicine and don't understand it
- · You need to continue a prescription from home
- · You have an appointment and don't know what to say
Who you are talking to
I am Natsuko Shibata, a pharmacist licensed in Japan since 2015.
I have worked in pharmaceutical companies, a dispensing pharmacy and pharmaceutical regulatory consulting, and I still work as a dispensing pharmacist today.
Verification
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare maintains a public register of licensed medical professionals. You can check my registration yourself:
- Open the register: https://licenseif.mhlw.go.jp/search_iyaku/top.jsp
- Enter 柴田 奈津子 in the name field
One result: pharmacist, registered 2015.
What you get
English-speaking clinics near you
carefully selected and confirmed by phone
Your prescription explained in English
what each medicine is for, how to take it, and what to watch for
A Japanese patient summary, when needed
your symptoms, history and current medicines, written for the doctor, in case the clinic's English is limited
How it works
- Book Pay securely, then email us from the address you paid with.
- Send what's in front of you A photo, a medicine name, or your symptoms in English.
- Get your answer First reply within 24 hours (counting business days only: Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese public holidays, 29 Dec–3 Jan and 29 Apr–5 May are not counted; Japan time), follow-ups for up to 14 days.
Example: sinus pain on day 3 of a Tokyo trip
Illustrative example based on typical requests. Not a real client.
01 You tell us what's going on
Write to us in English: your symptoms, roughly where you are, whether you have Japanese health insurance, and any medicine you already take. No forms, no phone call.
You: "Day 3 in Tokyo, sinus pressure and a headache since yesterday. No fever. I take a blood-pressure tablet daily. No Japanese insurance. Where do I go?"
02 We find where you can actually go
We select English-speaking clinics near you that accept new patients and are open when you need them.
Pharmacist: "Two ENT clinics within 10 minutes of your hotel see walk-ins. One has an English-speaking receptionist. Checking both now."
03 We call ahead for you
We confirm with the clinic: whether they see non-Japanese patients, what to bring (insurance card, passport, a referral letter if needed), and if you're paying yourself, the rough cost and whether it's cash only. You get all of it in writing, and only clinics we could actually reach are marked "confirmed".
- ✓ Non-Japanese patients: yes
- ✓ Bring: passport
- ✓ Estimated cost without insurance: ¥8,000–12,000
- ✓ Cash only: yes
Confirmed 14:10
04 You go — with a Japanese summary as backup
We send you a Japanese patient summary by email: your symptoms, how long, and what you take. At the reception desk you just show your screen.
Japanese patient summary: 3日前から副鼻腔の圧迫感と頭痛。発熱なし。降圧薬を毎日服用中（薬名: ○○）。日本の保険なし。可能であれば診断名を教えてください。
The summary asks the doctor for the diagnosis. Your medicines come with a labeled bag — send us a photo and we explain both in English.
05 After the visit
Send us a photo of what you were given. We explain each medicine in English: what it's for, how to take it, what to watch for, and how to get the same thing next time.
You: "Got these two. What are they?"
Pharmacist: "Left: an antibiotic, 3 times a day after meals for 5 days. Right: a pain reliever, take when needed, up to 3 a day. The doctor prescribed both knowing your blood-pressure tablet — if anything feels off, ask the pharmacy that gave them to you. Finish the antibiotic even if you feel better."
Price and policy
¥8,000 (tax incl., ~US$50) · one health concern · in writing · first reply within 24 hours (counting business days only: Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese public holidays, 29 Dec–3 Jan and 29 Apr–5 May are not counted; Japan time)
Typically 3–4 exchanges · up to 14 days
Refunds
- · Cancel before we send your answer: full refund.
- · If we can't take on your request, we tell you in our first reply and refund in full (that reply is not the answer).
- · Once we have sent the answer: no refund.
- · To cancel, email hello@kampo-compass.com. Refunds go back to your original payment method, and we process them within 7 business days of confirming your request. This refund policy does not limit your rights as a consumer under the law.
Questions
Can I use a prescription from my home country in Japan?
No. A pharmacy in Japan can only fill a prescription written by a doctor in Japan. We can look for clinics that may be able to continue your medicine, and prepare a Japanese patient summary for the visit.
Can you check whether my medication can be brought into Japan?
Yes. We check each medicine you plan to bring against Japan's import rules and tell you the result for each item. Medicines containing amphetamine, such as Adderall, cannot be brought in, even with a prescription.
Will you apply for the certificate for me?
You apply in your own name, guided by the Entry Check's Application Map: a step-by-step page made from your report that shows what to prepare, where to apply and by when, with links to the official forms. For a limited number of travelers, we also offer Filing by email after the Map: you send the documents you completed and signed, and we submit them unchanged. The wording on the forms stays yours. → The Application Map is part of the Japan Medication Entry Check (+US$50)
Can you find me an English-speaking doctor?
Yes — this is the core of the session. Clinics are selected for your location, your symptoms and when you need to be seen, and confirmed by phone before you go. English ability varies between staff, so where it's limited, a Japanese patient summary makes sure the clinic has the full picture.
How fast will you reply?
The first reply comes within 24 hours (counting business days only: Saturdays, Sundays, Japanese public holidays, 29 Dec–3 Jan and 29 Apr–5 May are not counted; Japan time). This is a written service, not an urgent one. If your symptoms feel urgent, do not wait for a reply. See "What this is not" below.
Is this medical advice?
No. We give general pharmaceutical information and navigation. We don't diagnose, prescribe, or tell you to change a medicine. If you need a diagnosis, we help you find and reach a doctor.
Your information
What you tell us is stored securely and is not shared with anyone without your request. Please see the privacy policy for details.
What this is not
We give pharmacist guidance and educational information. We do not diagnose, and we do not prescribe prescription medicines or provide treatment. If you need a diagnosis or treatment, please see a physician.
We do not sell or ship medicines at present. Where an over-the-counter Kampo product is appropriate for you, we can introduce you to a licensed pharmacy in Japan; the pharmacy handles the sale.
If your situation is urgent — chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or confusion — call 119 now. Do not wait for a reply here. Emergency: call 119 (interpreter support available).
KAMPO COMPASS (漢方コンパス) is developed by Natsuko Shibata, a pharmacist licensed in Japan.