Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions I hear most often. If yours isn't here, feel free to reach me through the contact link in the footer.
What do I get with the Entry Check?
A pharmacist licensed in Japan checks each medicine you plan to bring and sends you a written report with the result for each item. You also get a Medication List in English and Japanese and a Japanese-format medication record. See the Entry Check →
How much is it, and what counts as an item?
The check is US$100 (tax incl., ~¥15,000) for up to 5 items. Each prescription medicine, OTC medicine, supplement or device counts as one item; from the 6th item, it's US$30 each (tax incl., ~¥4,500). See the Entry Check →
How soon will I hear back?
Our first reply comes within 24 hours (Japan business days). Your report arrives within 3 business days of receiving your completed form. See the Entry Check →
Do you file the application for me?
You apply in your own name. The Application Map (+US$50) is a private page made from your report: what to prepare, where to apply and by when. If you'd prefer us to submit what you've completed, Filing (+US$150) is offered by email to a limited number of travelers after their Map. We do not prepare or rewrite the forms. See the Entry Check →
What if I need to cancel?
If you cancel before we send your report, the check is refunded in full. The Application Map is refunded in full if you ask before we send it. For Filing and the other conditions, please see the refund policy. Refund policy →
Is Kampo safe?
Kampo medicines are medicines. Like any medicine, they can cause side effects when they don't suit your constitution or condition — 'natural, therefore safe' is not true. OTC Kampo sold in Japan is approved as medicine by the Japanese government, with indications, dosage, and precautions stated in the package insert. Please read the insert carefully, and ask a pharmacist whenever something is unclear.
Can I take Kampo alongside Western medicine?
Some combinations call for care — overlapping ingredients or interactions. For example, formulas containing licorice (kanzo) with certain diuretics, or formulas containing ephedra (mao) with certain heart medications. If you are currently taking any medication, please don't combine them on your own judgment — whether you can is an individual decision, so always check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Can I use Kampo while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Some formulas contain crude drugs that require caution during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The constitution check is designed to exclude formulas flagged for caution when you tell me you are pregnant or breastfeeding — but this is not a guarantee of safety. Whatever the check shows, whether to use a formula is an individual decision: please always consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Is the constitution check a medical diagnosis?
No. The constitution check is a 'type reading' based on the traditional East Asian view of constitution — it does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a physician. Please use it as a general information tool for narrowing down candidates among the many OTC Kampo formulas.
How soon will I feel a difference?
There is no single answer — how to observe the course is said to differ by formula, constitution, and how your symptoms unfold. OTC Kampo package inserts include guidance on duration (for example: if symptoms do not improve after about one month, stop taking it and consult a doctor or pharmacist) — please follow that guidance. If things persist or worsen, stop and see a medical professional.
Is Kampo vegan-friendly?
It depends on the formula. Some Kampo formulas contain crude drugs of animal origin (such as ejiao/donkey-hide gelatin or oyster shell), and the excipients in tablets and capsules can also include animal-derived ingredients. If this matters to you, please check the ingredients of the specific product, or ask a pharmacist.
Can I buy from outside Japan?
The OTC Kampo formulas shown on this site are medicines sold at pharmacies and drugstores within Japan — I do not provide purchase links. Each country also has its own rules on importing or carrying in medicines — if you live outside Japan, please check your country's regulations.
What's the difference between Kampo and TCM?
Both trace their roots to ancient Chinese medicine, but Kampo is the system that developed independently in Japan. Japanese Kampo medicines are manufactured and sold under Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act, and the composition and philosophy of the formulas carry distinctly Japanese characteristics. This site is about Japanese Kampo.
Can I ask for individual advice?
Yes. I answer one health concern per session, in writing and in English. See how a session works →
This page offers general information and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. If you have symptoms that concern you, please consult a medical professional or a pharmacist.
KAMPO COMPASS (漢方コンパス) is developed by Natsuko Shibata, a pharmacist licensed in Japan.