Semaglutide in Japan: Ozempic, Wegovy & Import Rules

Quick reference

Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes, in Japan
Available locally: Yes. Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are all approved and sold in Japan.
Storage: Refrigerated (2–8°C) before first use; room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 56 days after first use (Ozempic pen)
Max supply to carry: No statutory cap for personal import; bring documentation for your full trip supply plus a buffer
Key document: Doctor's letter in English with Japanese translation recommended; original pharmacy labels on all packaging
Emergency alternative: Visit a diabetes or internal medicine clinic in Japan; Ozempic and Rybelsus are stocked at major hospital-affiliated pharmacies in Tokyo and other large cities.

Travelling to Japan with semaglutide: what changes

Semaglutide, sold in Japan as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, is approved by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)^[1] and available on prescription at hospital-affiliated pharmacies. Japan does not classify semaglutide as a controlled substance, so there is no import permit requirement. The main challenges are cold-chain management during a long-haul flight and securing a local prescription if your supply runs out.

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 semaglutide

Japan Customs requires that prescription medications be accompanied by documentation confirming the medical need. A doctor's letter is the most practical document to carry. Semaglutide is not a controlled substance in Japan, so no import permit (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) is required.

What your doctor's letter must include

Full name matching your passport; medication name (semaglutide, plus brand name Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus); dose and frequency; quantity carried; diagnosis (one word is sufficient); doctor's signature and professional registration number; clinic letterhead. An English-language letter is acceptable at Japanese customs, but carrying a Japanese translation is recommended for any interaction with local pharmacists or clinicians.

No notarisation or apostille is required for a personal-use medication letter entering Japan. A clear English-language letter from your prescriber, printed on clinic letterhead, is sufficient at customs.

How much semaglutide to bring

Japan has no statutory maximum quantity for personal-use prescription medication, but bringing a quantity consistent with the declared trip duration is the standard customs guidance. Bring your full trip supply plus a 20% buffer to account for travel delays or pen malfunctions. Because semaglutide is dosed weekly (Ozempic, Wegovy) or daily (Rybelsus), calculate carefully before you pack. Obtaining a local refill requires a Japanese prescription, which adds time and cost.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and place one backup pen or tablet pack in checked luggage. If one bag is delayed or lost, you still have medication. Keep both in original packaging with pharmacy labels intact.

Packing and storing semaglutide for travel

Unopened Ozempic pens must be kept at 2–8°C. According to the EMA-approved product information, an in-use pen can be kept at room temperature up to 30°C for a maximum of 56 days^[2]. Use an insulated medication travel wallet with a reusable cooling insert for long-haul flights and any period outside refrigeration. During layovers in warm climates, avoid leaving the bag in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle.

Airport security with semaglutide

Injectable semaglutide pens and associated needles are permitted in cabin baggage at most airports when accompanied by documentation. The National Police Agency and Japan Customs do not restrict sharps carried for documented medical use^[3].

Declare your pens and needles proactively at security and present your doctor's letter if asked. Pre-filled pens are exempt from the standard 100 ml liquid limit at most airports, but check the departure airport's national security authority rules before you fly.

Customs and medication import rules for Japan

Semaglutide is not a controlled or narcotic substance under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, so no advance import permit (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) is required. Declare the medication on the Japan Customs Declaration form if carrying a quantity above a personal-use amount.^[5] Carry all medication in original packaging with pharmacy labels; customs officers may inspect the packaging against your documentation.

Keep original packaging at all times

Semaglutide is not a controlled substance in Japan, but transferring pens to unlabelled containers creates unnecessary complications at customs. Keep each pen in its original box with the pharmacy label visible. Rybelsus tablets should remain in the original blister pack with the lot number and expiry date intact.

Semaglutide availability in Japan

All three brands, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, are approved by the PMDA and dispensed through hospital pharmacies^[1]. Walk-in community pharmacies in Japan do not typically stock these medications; you will usually need to visit a hospital outpatient clinic or a specialist-linked pharmacy to obtain them. A Japanese prescription is required for any local purchase.

Without Japanese public health insurance (which travellers cannot access), Ozempic costs approximately ¥10,000–¥15,000 per pen (~$63–$95 / ~€55–€83) at self-pay rates. Rybelsus tablets are similarly priced. Check whether your travel insurance covers prescription medication costs abroad before you depart.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe semaglutide in Japan

Diabetes and internal medicine clinics in Tokyo and Osaka typically have English-speaking staff or access to interpreters. Tokyo has several international clinics that serve travellers and expatriates, including Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic^[6] and International Clinic Tokyo. A consultation to obtain a local prescription costs approximately ¥5,000–¥15,000 (~$32–$95 / ~€28–€83) at private clinics, depending on whether blood work is required.

Some international telemedicine platforms can provide bridge prescriptions to travellers, but a Japanese-licensed prescriber is required for any in-country pharmacy dispensing. Confirm your travel insurance covers outpatient consultations before booking.

Search for providers near your destination

Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in Japan.

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Storing semaglutide while in Japan

Most Japanese hotels and business hotels (business hoteru) have in-room refrigerators; request one when booking if it is not listed as standard. An in-use pen may be stored at up to 30°C for up to 56 days without refrigeration^[2].

Tokyo's average summer temperature reaches 30–35°C in July and August, so unopened pens should stay refrigerated throughout your stay. If your accommodation loses power, move your unopened pens to a convenience store or hotel lobby refrigerator as soon as possible. For more practical advice on cold-chain management, see Nomedic's GLP-1 travel guide.

What to do if something goes wrong with your semaglutide in Japan

If your medication is lost or damaged, contact your travel insurer's emergency assistance line immediately and ask for written confirmation of the loss for any insurance claim. Then go to the nearest hospital with a diabetes or internal medicine outpatient department and present your doctor's letter.

If you run out unexpectedly, a Japanese clinic can issue a local prescription for Ozempic or Rybelsus after a brief consultation. Hospital-affiliated pharmacies in Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities stock both products. Allow at least half a day for the consultation and dispensing process.

“1. 「オゼンピックが必要です」 (Ozempic ga hitsuyou desu) (I need Ozempic. 2. 「薬局はどこですか？」 (Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?)) Where is the nearest pharmacy? 3. 「医師を呼んでください」 (Ishi wo yonde kudasai) (Please call a doctor. 4. 「糖尿病の薬を持っています」 (Tounyoubyou no kusuri wo motte imasu)) I have diabetes medication.”

1. I need Ozempic. 2. Where is the nearest pharmacy? 3. Please call a doctor. 4. I have diabetes medication.

Call 119 for ambulance services in Japan^[4]. For non-emergency medical guidance, the Japan Health Info line (+81-3-5285-8181) offers multilingual support for travellers.

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Frequently asked questions

Is semaglutide legal in Japan?

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is legal in Japan and approved by the PMDA for use with a valid prescription. It is not a controlled substance, so no special import permit is required to bring your personal supply into the country.

Can I bring semaglutide into Japan without a prescription?

You can bring semaglutide into Japan for personal use, but you should carry a prescription confirming the medical need alongside your original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Japan Customs does not require an advance import permit for semaglutide, but documentation confirming the prescription is strongly recommended.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with Ozempic pens?

A doctor's letter is not a legal requirement to board a flight with Ozempic pens, but it is strongly recommended for both airport security and Japanese customs. The letter confirms the medical need for the medication and the needles, reducing the risk of delays at screening.

Is Ozempic available at pharmacies in Japan?

Ozempic is available in Japan but is dispensed primarily through hospital-affiliated pharmacies rather than community pharmacies. You need a Japanese prescription to purchase it locally; walk-in community pharmacies do not typically stock it.

What if I run out of semaglutide in Japan?

Visit a diabetes or internal medicine outpatient clinic in any major Japanese city; Ozempic and Rybelsus are both PMDA-approved and stocked at hospital-affiliated pharmacies. You will need a local prescription from a Japanese-licensed doctor, which requires a consultation costing approximately ¥5,000–¥15,000 (~$32–$95 / ~€28–€83).

Is Wegovy available in Japan?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is approved in Japan by the PMDA and available on prescription. Availability may be more limited outside major cities compared to Ozempic, so bring your full supply rather than planning to refill locally.

How should I store semaglutide during a long-haul flight to Japan?

Use an insulated medication wallet with a reusable cooling insert to keep unopened pens at 2–8°C during the flight. An in-use pen can tolerate temperatures up to 30°C for up to 56 days, so a single long-haul flight does not compromise an already-opened pen provided it is not left in direct sunlight or a hot overhead bin.

Related practical guide

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Your Ozempic pen survives the flight but gets confiscated at the border. Here is how cold chain failures, customs rules, and approval gaps catch GLP-1 travellers off guard.

Semaglutide in Japan: GLP-1 Brands, Import Rules and Pharmacy Access