Buying minoxidil in Japan?

[GoldenMane]

So I'm moving to Japan for a year, I already have a years supply of finasteride and a prescription letter so I can bring it with me, but I'm wondering about minoxidl. I hear it'#s quite hard to find over there, and typically it's 2%, not 5. It's a pain in the *** trying to pack your life into a suitcase, and minoxidil takes up room. A 12 month supply only lasts me about 6 months, so I'll realistically need to bring 24 bottles, which takes up a lot of room... Anyone have any experience buying minoxidil in Japan? Would I have any problems at the airport bringing so much minoxidil with me?

 

[talmoode]

hi, GoldenMane, are you going to Japan to teach English? Not Japan but went to Korea last year and had no problem with getting Rogaine there ( I only took 3 bottles of Rogaine with me). Maybe try a local pharmacy there or ask a friend or family to send some for you?

 

[GoldenMane]

Yeah talmoode, what else! Yeah I've done some reading and it appears it's much easier to get that sort of thing in Korea, Japan can be weird and conservative in many ways regarding medications and drugs, they're very slow to legalise them. I know minoxidil is sold in Japan but under what name, I don't know. I could just buy online when I get there, but a month ago I bought a years supply of minoxidil on ebay from a US seller, and Irish customs seized it and destroyed it because it came from outside the EU, even though the exact same brand (kirkland) is sold over the counter here!

I'm kind of concerned that if I try to buy online there, it will never get through customs. Starting to wonder if I should have gone to Korea instead!

 

[talmoode]

I'm kind of concerned that if I try to buy online there, it will never get through customs. Starting to wonder if I should have gone to Korea instead!

I think a brand called 'ri-up' is sold in some local pharmacies in Japan but apprantly it is not widely available, I guess ?