I’ve seen a lot of posts asking about entering Japan with controlled medications, so thought I’d provide my experience.
We arrived three days ago to Narita from Canada. I have a prescription of Ativan (lorazepam) that I got for flight anxiety. I filled out the customs/immigration online about 3 days before departing Canada. (I was able to do this for my whole family of three, under one account). I checked yes that I was bringing narcotics with me even though I am well under the allowable limit. I get anxious with authority, so I just wanted to be safe than sorry.
After arrival, we went straight through to customs where my husband and Child got through no problem. Then when my QR was scanned, he confirmed the possession of a controlled medication, filled out a form, and sent me off with a customs officer. My husband and Child went through to baggage claim. I sat on a bench, in an open area, beside a customs office, to wait. They took my passport away from me to do whatever they needed to do in their office. At no point was I worried, and I was waiting in an area where it was open to everyone arriving (not a secure room or anything). An officer came out after about 3 minutes, had me sign a form, looked at my prescription bottle, confirmed why I had the prescription, then went back into the office with my passport. About 2 minutes after that, she came out, gave me my passport, guided me through a separate area to meet up with my husband and Child (who already had the bags), then went through immigration. We had to scan one QR code for immigration, and were waved through.
It was no problem at all, it was quick, and extra screening added maybe 6 minutes. We were through security, getting bags, getting our wifi, our bus tickets and a quick snack all in about an hour!
Also…a note…we decided to take the bus from Narita to Ikebukuro and it was so easy! It was cheap and we didn’t need to deal with any transfers or rush hour on the train. Highly recommend since we were so sleep deprived and a little overwhelmed.
by Just_A_Noodle_Beast