Opioid Pain Medication Japan: NCD Permits & Brands

Quick reference

Drug class: Opioid analgesics; narcotics under Japanese law except tramadol and codeine at or below 1%
Controlled substance: Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, tapentadol, fentanyl: narcotics under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. Codeine: narcotic above 1%. Tramadol: not a narcotic.
Prescription required: Yes. Carry a prescription and doctor's letter for all; narcotics also need advance NCD permission and a medical certificate.
Available locally: Tapentadol: Tapenta. Tramadol: Tramal, Onetram, Tramcet. Oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, codeine: local brands not verified; ask a Japanese prescriber. Hydrocodone: no Japanese brand listed.
Storage: Original labelled packaging in cabin baggage; follow your product leaflet's temperature limits.
Max supply to carry: Narcotics: permission needed at any quantity. Tramadol: up to one month without an import certificate.
Key document: NCD import certificate plus a doctor's medical certificate issued within 3 months.
Emergency alternative: Any alternative is for a Japan-licensed doctor to decide; tramadol is the one ingredient here outside the narcotics system.

INN (Generic Name)Brand Name(s)

Opioid pain medication in Japan: rules differ by active ingredient

Japan sorts opioid pain medication by active ingredient, not by brand. under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, and hydrocodone sits on the same schedule. Tramadol is not a narcotic.^[1]

The highest-stakes catch is import. Private import of a narcotic is prohibited unless it is for your own medical use and approved by the regional bureau. A valid foreign prescription alone does not make the import lawful.^[2]

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Documentation for travelling to Japan with opioid pain medication

Narcotics need advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department (NCD) at the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare nearest your arrival airport.^[1] Our guide to Japan's medication import rules covers the general framework.

You submit an import application form and a medical certificate from your prescriber. If you will leave Japan carrying the medicine, a separate export form is also needed. The certificate must be dated within 3 months of the application and may be in English or Japanese.

What your doctor's letter must include

The NCD requires the signature of the prescribing doctor and the date of issue. Add your full name and current address, the specific reason for the medicine, and each medicine with its INN, brand, dose and strength in mg. Add the doctor's printed name and clinic details. If you take more than one opioid, list every one. Photos of the packaging showing name and strength go with the application.

If you take only tramadol, no NCD permission applies. So, carry your prescription and a doctor's letter naming the INN. Low-strength codeine products fall outside the narcotic rules, so check the concentration on your label.^[1]

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Bring this list to your appointment.

Can you issue a medical certificate dated within 3 months of my NCD application, listing every opioid I take with INN, brand, dose and strength in mg?
Is my product a narcotic under Japanese law, and what is its codeine or other active-ingredient concentration if it is a combination tablet?
If my brand is not stocked in Japan, which Japan-licensed doctor or clinic should I contact, and can you share my records with them?
Do I need a backup prescription or a record of my dose schedule in case my trip is extended beyond the permit period?
If I use a patch, does hot-spring or bath use change how it works, and what should I avoid?
How can I reach you or your clinic from Japan if I need advice on a dose change?

How much opioid pain medication to bring

For narcotics, the application form lists each medicine by name and quantity, so decide your quantity before you apply. Base it on trip length plus a buffer for delays, not a large surplus. For tramadol, up to one month's supply needs no import certificate, and Japan Customs sets the same limit for prescription drugs. A longer supply needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho.

Carry the medicine yourself

The NCD states that you cannot post the medicine to Japan or entrust it to someone else, such as a family member. Keep narcotics in your cabin baggage in original packaging with pharmacy labels, and keep the permit and certificate with them.

Packing and storing opioid pain medication for travel

Keep every product in its original pharmacy packaging, with your name and the INN visible. Follow the temperature limits on your product leaflet, because storage differs between tablets, liquids and patches. Do not leave medication in a parked vehicle or in checked baggage. Photocopy the permit and certificate, and keep digital copies in your International Patient Summary.

Airport security with opioid pain medication

Security rules at your departure and transit airports are set by each country's national aviation security agency, not by Japan. Carry tablets, patches and any liquid in your cabin baggage with prescription labels. Keep the NCD import certificate and doctor's certificate where you can reach them, because screening staff may ask what the medicine is. Check transit-country rules separately if you change planes, since a narcotic permit for Japan does not cover other countries.

Customs and import rules for opioid pain medication in Japan

Declare narcotics to the customs officer on arrival and show your import certificate. Customs states that narcotics such as morphine and fentanyl need the approval of the regional bureau director. Apply to the NCD office covering your arrival airport; contact details are published in English.^[2]^[1]^[14]

Narcotics without advance permission

Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, tapentadol and fentanyl are narcotics under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, as is higher-strength codeine. Import by a private individual is allowed only for your own medical use with prior approval. Arriving without the NCD permission and medical certificate means the import is not authorised, whatever your home prescription says. Apply before you book non-refundable travel.

Opioid pain medication availability in Japan

Tapentadol is sold in Japan as Tapenta. Tramadol is sold as Tramal capsules and orally disintegrating tablets, and Onetram controlled-release tablets, and Tramcet, a tramadol and paracetamol combination.^[7]

We could not confirm Japanese brand names for oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl or codeine in the sources we checked, so ask your Japanese prescriber what they stock. Hydrocodone is on the narcotics schedule, but no Japanese brand is listed for it. Plan on needing a prescription for every product in this class. Whether a Japanese clinic will prescribe a narcotic to a visitor is the clinic's decision, so phone ahead.

We have no verified self-pay price range for these medicines. Ask the clinic or pharmacy for a quote before the consultation, and check what your travel insurer covers.

Pharmacy phrases in Japanese

Useful at the pharmacy counter when asking about opioid pain medication options.

“私はオピオイド系の鎮痛薬を飲んでいます。日本で使える薬を教えてください。”

I take an opioid pain medication. What options do you have in Japan?

“この成分のジェネリック医薬品はありますか。”

Is there a generic version of this active ingredient?

“この薬は取り扱っていますか。”

Do you carry this medicine?

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Finding a doctor who can prescribe opioid pain medication in Japan

Book with a hospital or clinic that offers English-language support, and say at the start that you take an opioid and hold an NCD permit. Bring the certificate, packaging photos and your prescriber's letter. Ask whether the clinic can see you as a visitor and whether it can prescribe the specific ingredient.

Telemedicine with your home prescriber can help you document your regimen but does not replace a Japanese prescription. Our Japan healthcare guide also lists options for visitors.

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Storing opioid pain medication while in Japan

Keep opioids on you or in a lockable bag, not on a hotel desk or in shared areas. Store them away from heat and humidity, and follow your leaflet. If a product needs particular conditions, ask the hotel for a room with a working fridge or power supply before you arrive. Keep a daily dose log so a Japanese doctor can see your regimen quickly.

What to do if something goes wrong with your opioid pain medication in Japan

If narcotics are lost or stolen, report it to the police on 110 and ask for a written report. Contact your prescriber and your embassy. Keep the NCD certificate, since it documents what you lawfully brought. Replacement means a Japan-licensed doctor, not a courier.^[1]

If your specific medicine is not stocked, a Japan-licensed doctor must decide any alternative, never you or a pharmacist. Tramadol and tapentadol are the two ingredients in this class with confirmed Japanese brands in our sources, but whether either suits you is a medical decision. Our benzodiazepine page for Japan covers a different class with its own limits.

Emergency phrases in Japanese

“この薬が必要です。”

I need this medication.

“私は痛みのために、毎日この薬を飲んでいます。”

I take this medication every day for pain.

“医師を呼んでください。”

Please call a doctor.

“一番近い病院か、夜間も開いている薬局はどこですか。”

Where is the nearest hospital or 24-hour pharmacy?

Call 119 for an ambulance and 110 for police. More detail on emergency care is in Japan's travel guide.

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Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency in your IPS, readable by any clinician worldwide.

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Frequently asked questions

Is opioid pain medication legal in Japan?

Yes, with conditions that depend on the ingredient. Oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, tapentadol and hydrocodone are narcotics and need advance NCD permission for your own medical use. Tramadol follows ordinary prescription rules.

Can I bring opioid pain medication into Japan?

Yes for tramadol within the personal-import allowance. Narcotics are permitted only with NCD permission and a medical certificate, and you must carry the medicine yourself.

Can I bring Percocet or Tylenol with Codeine to Japan?

Percocet contains oxycodone, a narcotic needing NCD permission. Tylenol with Codeine falls under narcotic rules if its codeine concentration is above the narcotic threshold, so confirm the concentration with the NCD first.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with opioid pain medication to Japan?

Yes. Narcotics need a medical certificate with the prescriber's signature and issue date. For tramadol, a letter and prescription are advisable even though no permit applies.

Which opioid pain medications are available in Japan?

Tapentadol is sold as Tapenta, and tramadol as Tramal, Onetram and Tramcet. We could not verify local brands for oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl or codeine, and no Japanese brand is listed for hydrocodone, so ask a Japanese prescriber.

What if my specific opioid pain medication brand isn't available in Japan?

Do not swap ingredients yourself. A Japan-licensed doctor decides any alternative, and narcotic prescriptions for visitors are at the clinic's discretion. Ask your own prescriber for a letter and records before you leave.

What if I run out of opioid pain medication in Japan?

You cannot post a refill to Japan. See a Japan-licensed doctor, bring your certificate and packaging photos, and ask about your options.

Related practical guide

Opioid Pain Medication Abroad: Strict Countries, Required Paperwork and What to Do When You Run Out

Carrying opioid pain medication across borders is legal in most countries, but the paperwork gap between 'legal' and 'detained at customs' is razor thin.

Opioid Pain Medication in Japan: Permits, Brands and Access