Feeling Tired While Traveling in Japan? Try These Top Energy and Nutritional Drinks!
Feeling tired during your trip to Japan? Discover the top nutritional and energy drinks to boost your energy, fight fatigue, and stay active while traveling. Learn the key differences and find out which drinks are best for tourists!
raveling in Japan is exciting, but it can also be physically exhausting. Long walks, jet lag, changes in diet, and busy itineraries can take a toll on your body. If you're feeling fatigued or under the weather but don't think it's serious enough to visit a hospital, you might want to try one of Japan's many over-the-counter nutritional drinks or energy drinks.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between the two, and recommend some of the best-selling options you can find at convenience stores and pharmacies across Japan.
What’s the Difference Between Nutritional Drinks and Energy Drinks in Japan?
Japan distinguishes between nutritional drinks and energy drinks, both of which are liquid supplements meant to help boost your energy or support your health. But they are classified differently:
🟢 Nutritional Drinks ("Eiyo Drink")
Legal classification: Quasi-drugs (medicated or semi-medicated)
Purpose: Fatigue recovery, nutritional support
Ingredients: Taurine, vitamins, herbal extracts (like ginseng), royal jelly
Effect: Can legally claim to help with fatigue or energy
Where to buy: Pharmacies, drugstores (some require a pharmacist or registered seller)
🔴 Energy Drinks
Legal classification: Soft drinks (non-medicated)
Purpose: Boost alertness, mental focus
Ingredients: Caffeine, arginine, guarana, B vitamins
Effect: Cannot legally claim medical benefits, but give a noticeable "kick"
Where to buy: Convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines
Top 5 Nutritional Drinks in Japan
These are great options if you're feeling physically drained or mildly sick.
1. Lipovitan D (リポビタンD)
Why it's good: The most iconic Japanese nutritional drink with 1000mg of taurine and B vitamins.
Taste: Sweet and slightly medicinal
Where to buy: Drugstores, some convenience stores
2. Tiovita Drink (チオビタドリンク)
Why it's good: Affordable alternative to Lipovitan D, similar ingredients
Taste: Mild and sweet
Where to buy: Widely available in drugstores
3. Yunker Kotei-eki (ユンケル 皇帝液)
Why it's good: Premium blend with herbal ingredients, good for serious fatigue
Taste: Strong herbal flavor
Where to buy: Pharmacies, sometimes behind the counter
4. Zena F-II (ゼナF-Ⅱ)
Why it's good: Contains Chinese herbs like ginseng and royal jelly
Taste: Earthy, traditional herbal taste
Where to buy: Drugstores
5. Alinamin V (アリナミンV)
Why it's good: Focuses on B vitamins, popular for eye and muscle fatigue
Taste: Sharp vitamin flavor
Where to buy: Drugstores
Top 5 Energy Drinks in Japan
Perfect for when you need a quick mental and physical boost.
1. Monster Energy (355ml)
Why it's good: Big can, high caffeine, wide variety of flavors
Taste: Sweet and carbonated
Where to buy: Convenience stores, vending machines
2. Red Bull (250ml)
Why it's good: Classic global brand, reliable energy boost
Taste: Tart and slightly fruity
Where to buy: Everywhere from airports to corner stores
3. ZONe (500ml)
Why it's good: Large volume, cheaper per ml, e-sports favorite
Taste: Sweet, candy-like
Where to buy: Convenience stores, electronics shops
4. RAIZIN
Why it's good: Unique flavors, often caffeine-free, health-conscious image
Taste: Ginger, citrus, or spiced
Where to buy: Supermarkets, natural product stores
5. Dekavita C (500ml)
Why it's good: Vitamin-heavy, non-caffeinated, good for hydration
Taste: Sweet, similar to soda
Where to buy: Convenience stores, vending machines
Final Tips for Tourists
If you're sensitive to caffeine, go for a nutritional drink instead of an energy drink.
Always read the label – some drinks may not be recommended for children or people with heart conditions.
If you’re unsure, ask a pharmacist or store staff: "Eiyo dorinku wa arimasu ka?" (栄養ドリンクはありますか？)
Whether you're recovering from jet lag or need a little extra boost to keep exploring, Japan has a wide variety of drinks to support your energy and well-being — no prescription needed!
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