Job Discussion Forums

[Ella76]

Hi girls,

I'm coming over to Japan soon and am starting to pack my stuff and think about what i need to bring with me.
I know there have been lots of posts about what to bring etc, but there is one sensitive subject i'm wondering about....tampons.

Are tampons widely available in Japan and are they of good quality? can you find leading brands like O.B. or Kotex? and are they the regular kind or ones with applicator?

I know this may seem like a weird question but from my experience of travelling around India and South East Asia, the norm regarding feminine products varies quite a bit and you never know what you can find, or not, as the case may be....

so any info would be very much appreciated!!!

[denise]

They're hard to find, come in ridiculously small boxes when you can find them (like, boxes of eight), and are expensive. I don't think I saw any applicatorless OB when I was there. Either bring a bunch with you or have someone from back home send them to you.

And it's not a weird question at all! Such things are important for us!

d

[Le Creature]

How about sanitary towels (or pads)? Are they widely available? I'd figure they would be if tampons aren't hugely popular. I've never used a tampon in my life and didn't plan to start such a journey in Japan. I hope toiletries aren't too expensive...any advice on that?

This is a good topic by the way. Female hygiene is important!

[johanne]

Pads are easily found in every drug store and many convenience stores - not so with tampons. As mentionned above they come in packs of 8 and are not very comfortable. During my Christmas vacation in Hawaii I stocked up on a year's worth of OB and am much happier now.

[nawlinsgurl]

japanese pads come in wayyyy more varieties and sizes than the ones in the US. they have tiny tiny ones to diaper styles. but like everyone said tampons are far and few!

[sallycat]

I've seen applicatorless ones, but they're not great. the pads are excellent, and super-cheap.

[Ella76]

wow, it's a good thing I asked!

I never use pads, and prefer tampons without an applicator. From what you say, I'm going to have a hard time finding those!

So, I guess I'm just going to have to stock up on a year's supply of OB. Good thing they're not heavy!....

Thanks a lot, girls! that was really helpful.

any other tips or useful information?

[Sherri]

The Japanese women that I have talked to tell me that they hate tampons. I think that is why pads are more available. It is really hard to find the kind without applicators too but if you look in the bigger drugstores you can find them and then stock up. Also the quality is just not as good as what you would find in the US (or NZ, Australia or UK).

Best
Sherri

[angiestar]

thanks for posting this - now i know that i should plan to pack a couple boxes of ob.

[Lynn]

It's kind of hard to distinguish which box is tampons, but tampons do exist in Japan. I was able to buy applicatorless tampons at any convenient store.

You might want to bring your own at first though. Your first month is going to be very busy setting up your new apartment, bank account, new job and adjusting to a new culture. It's just one less thing to worry about.

[JimDunlop2]

Not a woman -- but married to one.

My wife seems to be able to find pretty much all the feminine hygiene products she needs, but she's not buying her tampons from a convenience store either. Usually large, chain drugstores (like Sun Drugs) carry a good variety of everything...

However, having said that, she has also stocked up on EVERYTHING when we went to Europe and Canada, as her main complaints are that Japanese products fit a Japanese anatomy. She keeps telling me that the pads are EITHER so small (short) that they would barely fit a Canadian 5-year old, or so huge, they are like diapers.. Nothing in-between.