Family Dining · Practical guide
Kusuri no Aoki
Groceries, Pharmacy Products and the Hokuriku Store Network
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | クスリのアオキ (Kusuri no Aoki) |
| Brand Name | Kusuri no Aoki / クスリのアオキ (株式会社クスリのアオキ / Kusuri no Aoki Co., Ltd. / Kusuri no Aoki Holdings) |
| Store Type | Food-and-drug retail chain; some stores have expanded fresh-food departments or a dispensing pharmacy. The group also operates separate supermarket and pharmacy formats. |
| Target Audience | Self-driving tourists touring Hokuriku (Kanazawa, Toyama, Fukui), Central Japan (Nagano, Gifu), and Kanto, camper van travelers, and vacationers seeking fresh groceries and health remedies |
| Ordering Style | Self-service drugstore and grocery aisles; meat, fish, prepared-food counters and prescription dispensing vary by branch. |
| Membership Required? | No membership or local registration required for general retail shopping; open to all visitors |
| Approximate Price Range | Prices and availability differ by item, branch and date. Check displayed shelf labels; visit the store to confirm prices on medicines, groceries and toiletries. Check the chosen branch for tax-free eligibility. |
| Multilingual Support | English-speaking assistance and multilingual in-store signage are not guaranteed. A translation app can help when identifying medicines or checking directions. |
| Payment Methods | Yen cash, Aoca prepaid card, major credit cards and supported electronic or QR payments, including PayPay and Rakuten Pay, according to the company's payment guide. Check the particular checkout for any restrictions. |
| Store Network | 1,167 group locations: 1,148 drugstores, 14 supermarkets and 5 standalone dispensing pharmacies (company monthly disclosure dated November 5, 2026). The 1,167 is not a count of drugstores alone. |
What it is
Kusuri no Aoki traces its history to a medicine merchant founded in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1869; the present drugstore company was established in 1985. It now runs a food-and-drug network across Japan. The company release dated November 5, 2026 records 1,167 group locations on October 20: 1,148 drugstores, 14 supermarkets and 5 standalone dispensing pharmacies. Prescription counters inside drugstores are included in the drugstore figure, not counted again.
The chain's stores can be useful for travelers around Kanazawa and other Hokuriku destinations seeking medicines, cosmetics, drinks and groceries. The depth of fresh produce, seafood, meat, hot deli items and sake depends on the branch. Confirm the location and its food departments before making a special detour for seafood or prepared meals.
How to order
Step 1: Find the Right Store Format
The company reported 1,167 locations across its group, including drugstores, supermarkets and standalone dispensing pharmacies. Use the official branch search for the format and current services:
- Look for the bold red-and-white roadside signs displaying クスリのアオキ along major national highways and suburban bypasses.
- Many roadside drugstores offer parking; check the exact location and the facilities listed for it.
- Opening hours differ among drugstores, supermarkets and prescription counters. Check the selected branch.
Step 2: Exploring Fresh Foods & Pharmacy Sections
- Pick up a full-sized two-tier grocery cart at the entrance.
- Fresh and Prepared Food: In branches equipped for fresh foods, look for vegetables, chilled meats, fish, takeaway meals and snacks. Product ranges differ significantly.
- Regional Beverages: Some shops may stock local sake from Hokuriku; check stock and pricing for the branch. Alcohol purchases are age-restricted.
- Medicines and Health Products: Look for eligible over-the-counter medicines, eye drops and skin care. Prescription counters, where present, operate on their own schedules.
- Consulting On-Site Staff: Ask a pharmacist or registered salesperson when one is on duty. Some medicines cannot be sold without the appropriate qualified professional; follow the label and staff instructions.
Step 3: Cashier Checkout & Payment
- Push your cart to the cashier checkout registers.
- Follow the store's checkout instructions; cashier and payment equipment differ by store format.
- The official payment guide lists cash, Aoca, credit cards and cashless options including PayPay; check the logo or ask the cashier if your method works at that counter.
- Payment Note: Aoca is the chain's own prepaid card; travelers need not obtain it to buy ordinary retail items. Standard cash or available card payments can be used.
Step 4: Tax-Free Exemption Clarification
- Tax-free status varies by individual shop. Check the official branch listing or ask staff before relying on a tax refund.
- Prices include consumption tax at checkout: generally 8% for eligible take-away foods and non-alcoholic beverages and 10% for medicines, cosmetics, alcohol, and other standard-rated goods. Only authorized tax-free stores can process an eligible export refund after customs confirmation.
What to order first
These are suggested product categories, not a guarantee of inventory. Check the actual shelf price and product label at your branch.
1. Fresh Seafood Where Available
- What it is: In branches with fish counters, look for seasonal sashimi or other seafood trays; species and origin must be checked on the actual product label.
- Why buy it: Prepacked seafood can be convenient for self-catering if it is available. Keep it chilled and follow the label's storage and consumption instructions.
2. Hokuriku Sake Where Stocked
- What it is: Japanese sake, including possible Hokuriku brands, at branches licensed and stocked for alcohol sales.
- Why buy it: A local bottle may make a regional souvenir; check the label, volume, storage requirements and alcohol-sales eligibility.
3. Travel Eye Drops & Soothing Thermal Eye Masks
- What it is: Vitamin-infused Japanese eye drops (Rohto, Santen) and self-warming steam eye masks (MegRhythm).
- Why buy it: Eye care products may be useful during travel; follow their indications and check with a qualified seller if unsure.
4. Kusuri no Aoki Private-Brand "A&" Essentials
- What it is: Proprietary private-label food and household goods, including mineral waters, snacks, and daily toiletries.
- Why buy it: The house-brand range offers an alternative to national brands; compare ingredients, size and current shelf price.
5. Bento and Ready-Made Deli Foods (Selected Branches)
- What it is: Ready-made rice meals, fried side dishes or other deli food where the branch carries them; some products are prepared off site.
- Why buy it: A packaged meal can be convenient during a long travel day; check sell-by time and whether it requires refrigeration.
Payment & practical info
Prices and details checked: October 2026.
- Accepted Payment Modes: Yen cash, Aoca and the company-listed credit cards, e-money and QR apps. Check the outlet and payment counter for supported methods.
- Tax-Free Exemption: Tourist tax-free participation is not established for all outlets; do not assume the chosen store offers this service. At a participating, authorized tourist tax-free shop, purchases from November 1, 2026 are paid tax-inclusive. Eligible purchases generally total at least ¥5,000 before tax at the same store on the same day. The traveler completes customs export confirmation within 90 days, before checking baggage, and must take all goods in the purchase record out of Japan; food or cosmetics consumed in Japan cannot be refunded. The retailer or its refund provider returns the tax equivalent after customs confirmation, not the customs officer.
- Operating Hours: Hours vary by branch, and dispensing-pharmacy hours may differ from retail hours. Check the official store locator before visiting.
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. Pharmaceutical Consultation Guidelines
Over-the-counter medicines have different sales requirements. A pharmacist is needed for certain categories; a registered salesperson can advise on some others. Staff cannot provide a medical diagnosis. Check the label, age restrictions, and instructions before purchasing.
2. Reusable Bag Policy
Bring a reusable shopping bag. Bag availability and charges may differ by branch; ask at checkout.
3. Promotional Discount Coupons
Campaigns and coupons change. Check the official store or chain notices for current offers, eligibility, and exclusions.
FAQ
Q1: Is Kusuri no Aoki easy to access from Kanazawa Station?
The chain has branches in and around Kanazawa, but access from the station depends on the exact address. Use the official store finder and transit directions rather than assuming a branch is walkable from Kanazawa Station.
Q2: Can I find Japanese beauty cosmetics at Kusuri no Aoki?
Many drugstore branches stock skincare and cosmetics, but the specific brands and counters vary by location. Check the store or current shelf stock if you need a particular item.
Q3: Can I microwave my purchased bento inside the store?
A microwave is not a confirmed chain-wide amenity. Ask staff at the branch; otherwise plan to eat a ready-to-eat meal without reheating or use facilities at your accommodation.
Sources
- Kusuri no Aoki Co., Ltd. Official Corporate Portal (Official source; reviewed 2026-11-13)
- Kusuri no Aoki: company store directory and service information (Reviewed 2026-11-13)
- MHLW: restrictions on OTC medicine categories and qualified personnel (Accessed 2026-11-13)
- Issuer release PDF: source link verified, original PDF bytes not fetched; full disclosure text cross-checked via FinancialFilings reproduction (Issuer listing verified 2026-11-13; original PDF not directly retrieved)
- Official company evidence (Reviewed 2026-11-13)
- Official company evidence (Reviewed 2026-11-13)
- Official company evidence (Reviewed 2026-11-13)
- Japan Customs: refund method effective 2026-11-01 (Reviewed 2026-11-13)
- Japan Tourism Agency: refund method traveller Q&A (Reviewed 2026-11-13)