Japanese Pain Relief Patches Explained: Salonpas & Beyond

Japanese drugstores group many compact products near the pain-relief shelf, but they are not interchangeable. A medicated adhesive sheet, an anti-inflammatory tape, a roll-on lotion, a magnetic device and a press needle can look like variations on the same idea while belonging to different product and regulatory categories.

This guide compares six active YUBI100 product pages that represent those formats. It does not diagnose pain, replace the package leaflet or tell you which treatment is appropriate for you. Product descriptions below are limited to current store information and manufacturer materials reviewed on September 4, 2026. If pain is severe, follows an injury, keeps returning, or is accompanied by swelling, weakness, numbness, fever or another concerning symptom, seek professional care instead of relying on a self-care product.

Quick comparison: what are you actually buying?

The key lesson is simple: choose by category before you compare pack count. A familiar-looking adhesive square does not tell you whether the product contains a medicine, a magnet or a small needle. The front, back and enclosed leaflet of the exact package are more important than a translated nickname such as “Japanese patch” or “coin patch.”

Medicated patch, lotion, magnet or press needle?

English shopping terms flatten several Japanese categories into the word “patch.” That can create unsafe assumptions. The most useful first step is to identify what supplies the intended action.

Medicated adhesive products

Salonpas sheets, Loxonin EX Tape and Roihi Tsuboko products are external-use medicines. Their ingredients, directions and warnings differ. A small patch is not automatically milder than a large tape, and a warming sensation is not a numerical measure of strength. Never combine products merely because they use different shapes or brand names. Read the complete labels and ask a pharmacist when more than one medicine is involved.

Topical liquid

Salonpas Lotion is a medicine applied as a liquid. It avoids an adhesive sheet, but it is not a neutral cosmetic massage roll-on. Hisamitsu's Japanese label gives its own directions and warnings, including precautions around eyes, mucous membranes, damaged skin, bathing, sweating and external heat. The absence of a patch does not remove the need to follow dosage and safety instructions.

Magnetic device

Pip Elekiban is classified by Pip as a controlled medical device. The 130 and MAX200 names refer to magnetic flux density, expressed in millitesla, rather than a drug concentration. It does not contain the active ingredient of Salonpas or Loxonin EX. Its suitability must be assessed under its device instructions, especially when implanted electronic medical equipment or other contraindications may be relevant.

Press-needle device

Spoallvans is also a controlled medical device, but it is not magnetic. Yutoku describes it as a sterile needle device used for acupuncture. A tiny needle projects from the center of a pressure element under an adhesive backing. That makes sterile, single-use handling and contraindication checks essential. It should never be treated like a reusable sticker.

Salonpas sheets: the familiar adhesive format

The Salonpas sheet listing combines 80-, 120-, 140- and 240-sheet options on one active YUBI100 page. That makes pack count the first visible choice, but count alone is not enough to identify a medicine. Before use, match the received package name and leaflet to the exact variant you selected.

Hisamitsu's Japanese Salonpas range includes several Class 3 OTC adhesive products with different constructions and sensory profiles. The range page distinguishes standard sheets, Salonpas Ae, mild, hot, flexible, translucent, roll and pinpoint formats. Because those names are not interchangeable, this article does not assign one ingredient list to every pack count on the store page.

The practical advantage of a small adhesive sheet is targeted placement without handling a liquid. The tradeoff is that adhesive stays in prolonged contact with skin. Apply only as the received label directs. Do not place it on broken, irritated or infected skin, around the eyes or on mucous membranes. Stop and consult a pharmacist or clinician if the package-listed skin reactions occur.

For shoppers, the safest way to compare pack sizes is to treat quantity as the final decision, not the first. Confirm the product identity, OTC classification, ingredients, directions, age limitations and warnings first. Then choose the count that matches lawful personal use and the package's storage period. A bigger carton is not permission to apply more patches at once or more frequently.

Hisamitsu's official Salonpas product site is the manufacturer reference for the current Japanese range. Use the leaflet inside the delivered package as the final instruction source because formulations, packages and regional versions can change.

Salonpas Lotion 85mL: the non-adhesive option

Salonpas Lotion 85mL is useful in this comparison precisely because it is not a patch. Hisamitsu identifies the Japanese product as a Class 3 OTC medicine and lists glycol salicylate as an active ingredient, with l-menthol contributing to the cooling sensation. The bottle is designed to apply liquid directly rather than leave an adhesive sheet on the skin.

That format can make it easier to cover an awkward contour or an area where an adhesive edge would move, but it creates different handling questions. A wet application can transfer to hands, eyes, fabrics or another surface if the directions are ignored. The manufacturer says it is for external use only and should not be used around the eyes, on mucous membranes, eczema, rashes, sores, wounds or infected areas.

The official instructions also deserve attention in hot weather. Hisamitsu warns that bathing, rubbing the skin or sweating in summer can make the stimulation feel stronger. It advises avoiding use around bathing and not heating the treated area with a kotatsu or electric blanket. It also says not to cover the area with something that has poor breathability. These are product-specific label directions, not general rules that can be copied onto every topical medicine.

The lotion therefore is not simply “Salonpas without glue.” It has a defined active formula and its own application limits. Choose it only after checking the current Hisamitsu Salonpas Lotion information and the received package. If you have reacted to medicines before, the official label directs you to consult a doctor, pharmacist or registered seller before use.

Loxonin EX Tape 21 sheets: a loxoprofen OTC tape

Loxonin EX Tape 21 sheets is the most clearly differentiated medicated tape in this store set. Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare classifies the current Japanese product as a Class 2 OTC medicine and lists loxoprofen sodium hydrate as its active ingredient. The YUBI100 page is specifically the EX Tape 21-sheet listing, not the similarly named prescription tape sold in medical channels.

That distinction matters. Brand recognition is not a substitute for reading the complete name. In Japan, related names can appear across OTC and prescription products, and the legal status in another country may differ again. This guide intentionally excludes YUBI100's medical-use Loxonin Tape 100mg listing from the consumer comparison.

Loxoprofen is an anti-inflammatory medicine, so the label contains more than placement instructions. Contraindications and consultation points can involve previous reactions to medicines, asthma associated with pain relievers, pregnancy timing, other health conditions and concurrent medicines. The product should not be treated as a stronger version of a salicylate patch based only on brand familiarity. A pharmacist should assess questions about suitability or combining products.

The tape's larger shape can cover a different area than small coin patches, but size is a physical characteristic, not proof that it is the right medicine for a particular pain. Follow the manufacturer's duration, frequency and maximum-use instructions on the exact current package. Do not cut, layer or secure it under an occlusive wrap unless the official directions explicitly permit that practice.

Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare provides the current classification, pack sizes, label information and warnings on its official Loxonin EX Tape page. Check that source and the leaflet rather than relying on an older image or a similarly named product page.

Roihi Tsuboko: standard, Cool, regular and large

The Roihi Tsuboko collection combines four active variants: standard 156-count, large 78-count, Cool 156-count and Cool large 78-count. Nichiban's manufacturer lineup separates the standard products as warming types and the Cool products as cooling types. It also distinguishes regular and large patch sizes.

This is a useful example of why a variant selector deserves careful reading. “156” and “78” describe counts, while standard versus large changes the patch dimensions and standard versus Cool changes the product. Choosing the largest count without checking the variant name can result in the wrong size or sensory type.

The round format is designed for localized placement. It can be convenient where a large rectangular tape feels excessive, but the same medicine principles still apply. A warm feeling is not evidence that the patch can be used with external heat, and a cooling feeling does not mean the skin is protected from irritation. Do not use standard and Cool variants together as though they were harmless temperature accessories.

Nichiban's official Roihi site lists each variant separately and provides product-specific information for Roihi Tsuboko standard, large, Cool and Cool large. Use that lineup to identify the selected variant, then follow the enclosed Japanese leaflet. Check active ingredients, age restrictions, frequency, skin warnings and circumstances requiring professional advice.

For international shoppers, the Japanese word “tsubo” is often translated loosely as “pressure point,” but that nickname does not turn this product into an acupuncture device. Roihi Tsuboko is a medicated patch range. It is categorically different from Spoallvans, which contains a needle, and Pip Elekiban, which contains a magnet.

Pip Elekiban 130 and MAX200: magnetic devices, not drug patches

The Pip Elekiban page offers Elekiban 130 in a 48-piece pack and MAX200 in a 24-piece pack. Pip classifies both as controlled medical devices in Japan. The official product pages list separate medical-device certification numbers, 130 mT magnetic flux density for Elekiban 130 and 200 mT for MAX200.

Those numbers describe the magnetic devices. They are not milligrams of medicine, and they should not be compared with the amount of an active ingredient in a medicated tape. The manufacturer states the intended effect in terms of improving circulation and stiffness at the application site under the Japanese device approval. This guide does not extrapolate that approved statement to other conditions or promise an individual result.

Pip says the adhesive materials are stretchable and breathable and that the devices can remain attached while bathing. That instruction is notably different from Salonpas Lotion's advice to avoid use around bathing. Product-specific directions therefore take priority over general internet advice about “Japanese patches.”

Controlled medical devices also have different warnings from OTC medicines. Magnetic products can be inappropriate around certain implanted medical electronic equipment. Read the official instructions and consult the relevant clinician before using any magnetic device if you have a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, insulin pump or another implanted or attached medical device. Do not assume that “drug-free” means warning-free.

Use Pip's official pages for Elekiban 130 48 pieces and Elekiban MAX200 24 pieces to confirm the selected version. The manufacturer provides the instructions and certification details there.

Spoallvans 30-piece: a sterile press-needle device

Spoallvans 30-piece sits furthest from the ordinary meaning of a medicated patch. Yutoku Pharmaceutical identifies Spoallvans as a controlled medical device for acupuncture use. The manufacturer lists 10-, 20- and 30-piece packages and describes a needle-and-pressure-element structure under adhesive tape.

The adhesive exterior can make it look simple, but the product penetrates the skin. That changes the hygiene requirements. The official package and instructions govern site preparation, placement, duration, removal and disposal. It is supplied sterile and is for one-time use. Do not reuse a removed piece, share it, move it from one site to another or improvise placement from a diagram found on a marketplace page.

The current Japanese leaflet says the device must not be used by people who are pregnant, have an allergy to stainless-steel components such as nickel or chromium, or use an implanted electronic medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker. The precise contraindications on the current leaflet control; this summary is not a substitute for it.

Yutoku's official Spoallvans product information identifies the Japanese category, sterile status, pack counts and intended acupuncture use. Because regulations for needles and medical devices can be stricter than rules for ordinary consumer goods, verify both destination-country importability and lawful personal use before ordering.

How to compare these products without guessing

Start with the exact package, then work outward. The following sequence prevents most category errors.

1. Identify the format. Is it a medicated sheet, medicated tape, liquid medicine, magnetic device or sterile press needle?
2. Confirm the exact variant. Standard and Cool, regular and large, 130 and MAX200 are different selections.
3. Read the legal category. Japanese Class 2 or Class 3 OTC status applies in Japan. A controlled medical-device label is not an OTC-drug label.
4. Check the complete ingredient or device specification. Do not rely on the English nickname or front-panel color.
5. Review contraindications and consultation points. Age, pregnancy, allergies, asthma, other medicines, skin condition and medical devices can matter depending on the product.
6. Follow only the exact directions. Pack count and patch size do not establish how many to use or how long to wear them.
7. Stop when the label says to stop. Skin reactions, excessive stimulation or lack of improvement within the label's period are reasons to follow the product's consultation instructions.

Humidity & sweat resistance

Humidity affects adhesion, sensation and skin comfort, but these products do not share one sweat-resistance rule.

For adhesive medicines, start with clean, dry, intact skin and follow the package. Sweat beneath adhesive can loosen edges and increase occlusion or irritation. Replacing a lifted patch, adding tape over it or applying another layer may change exposure, so do not improvise. If the label says to remove or replace it, follow that direction.

Warming and cooling sensations can feel stronger after a hot shower, exercise or rubbing. Hisamitsu specifically warns that Salonpas Lotion may feel more stimulating after bathing, skin rubbing or summer sweating, says to avoid use around bathing and says not to heat the treated area. That statement belongs to the lotion; it should not be copied automatically to every product.

Pip, by contrast, says Elekiban 130 and MAX200 can remain attached while bathing. They are magnetic devices rather than liquid medicines. Even then, inspect the adhesive and skin, follow the device instructions and remove it if the listed adverse skin response occurs.

Spoallvans requires the caution appropriate to a sterile needle device. Sweat, swimming and shared bathing environments introduce handling questions beyond simple adhesion. Use only the official leaflet for wear and removal directions, and do not leave a loose or contaminated device in place.

For all formats, climate does not justify exceeding the labeled amount or frequency. If a product will not stay attached during a humid activity, that is a signal to reassess the format or ask a pharmacist—not to layer multiple medicated products.

Getting it outside Japan

Japanese sale status does not guarantee that another country will admit the product or classify it the same way. A Japanese OTC medicine may be treated as a drug requiring different labeling, registration or personal-import conditions at the destination. A controlled medical device, magnetic product or sterile needle can follow a different route from a topical medicine.

Before ordering, record the exact product name, manufacturer, active ingredients or device type, count and intended personal-use quantity. Check the destination regulator and customs authority, not a social-media summary. Keep the product in original retail packaging with its leaflet, and do not describe a medicine or needle device as a cosmetic or ordinary sticker.

Our Japanese OTC medicine import guide explains why the rules for Korea, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Europe must be checked separately. The US customs and duties guide also explains general shipment and entry concepts, but cosmetics guidance does not override drug or device rules.

Do not use a fixed global rule such as “six boxes are always allowed.” Quantity limits, documentation, controlled ingredients and enforcement vary by destination and can change. Customs clearance is never guaranteed merely because an item is sold online in Japan.

Frequently asked questions

Is Salonpas the same as Loxonin EX Tape?

No. They are different product families. The current Loxonin EX Tape is a Japanese Class 2 OTC medicine containing loxoprofen sodium hydrate. The Salonpas name covers multiple Hisamitsu external-use products, and the exact ingredient list depends on the selected product. Do not substitute or combine them based only on shape.

Are Roihi coin patches acupuncture patches?

No. The Roihi Tsuboko products discussed here are medicated patches. “Coin patch” describes their round shape, and “tsubo” is part of the product name. Spoallvans is the needle-based controlled medical device in this guide.

Does a warm patch work better than a cool patch?

Warm and cool describe sensory profiles, not a universal ranking of effectiveness. Nichiban sells separate warming and cooling Roihi variants. Choose only after checking the active ingredients, warnings and directions on the exact package; ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Is Pip Elekiban a medicated patch?

No. Pip classifies Elekiban 130 and MAX200 as controlled magnetic medical devices. The numbers are magnetic flux density values, not medicine strength. The devices have their own certifications and warnings.

Can I wear a Japanese patch in the shower?

There is no single answer for every product. Pip states that Elekiban 130 and MAX200 can remain attached while bathing. Hisamitsu's Salonpas Lotion label says to avoid use around bathing. Medicated patches and Spoallvans each have their own instructions. Follow the exact leaflet.

Can I put more than one type on the same area?

Do not layer or combine products unless a qualified professional confirms that the exact combination is appropriate. Different patches can contain medicines from different ingredient groups, and devices introduce separate risks. The safest default is to follow one exact label and ask a pharmacist about any combination.

Can I import these products for someone else?

Personal-import allowances often depend on personal use and quantity. Ordering for another person, sharing, resale or commercial distribution can change the legal analysis. Check the destination regulator and customs authority before ordering.

Final takeaway

The most important comparison is not Salonpas versus “another patch.” It is medicine versus device, adhesive versus liquid, exact active ingredient versus magnet or needle, and Japanese sale status versus destination-country rules.

Choose the category first, verify the exact variant second, and read the received package before use. Salonpas sheets, Salonpas Lotion, Loxonin EX Tape, Roihi Tsuboko, Pip Elekiban and Spoallvans each solve a different format problem and carry different directions. None should be treated as a universal answer to unexplained or persistent pain.