Where to Buy Diapers, Baby Formula & Baby Food in Tokyo

One of the biggest worries for parents travelling to Japan is whether they can pack lightly and buy baby supplies locally. The short answer is yes, Tokyo has world-class baby supplies everywhere — but you need to know which stores sell what. Convenience stores carry emergency travel packs, pharmacies carry standard packs, and big baby specialty stores carry full bulk supplies.

Written for overseas parents visiting Japan. Verified against major Japanese retail chains (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Don Quijote, 7-Eleven, Akachan Honpo) in October 2026.

1. Where to Buy What: Store Types Compared

• Drugstores / Pharmacies (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, Cocokara Fine, Sugi Pharmacy): The #1 best place for daily supplies. They sell full diaper packs (30–60 count), powdered formula, canned liquid formula, baby wipes, and baby food pouches. Found near almost every train station.
• Convenience Stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): Great for emergencies only. Many central Tokyo branches sell small 2-to-3 diaper travel packs (called Odekake pack), travel-sized wipes, and ready-to-drink canned formula. They rarely carry full packs.
• Discount Mega-Stores (Don Quijote / MEGA Donki): Often stock large packs of diapers and wipes at tax-free prices, open late (often 24 hours). Excellent fallback in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, and Ginza.
• Dedicated Baby Stores (Akachan Honpo, Toys"R"Us / Babies"R"Us, Nishimatsuya): Giant superstores with every stroller accessory, Japanese baby bottle, organic snack, and clothing size imaginable. Located in major shopping complexes (e.g., Kinshicho, Tachikawa, Odaiba, Toyosu).

2. Japanese Diapers: Brands, Types & Sizing

Japanese diapers are globally renowned for their softness and absorbency. You will primarily see four trusted domestic brands:

• Merries (Kao): Exceptionally breathable and soft. Favoured by parents whose babies are prone to diaper rash.
• Moony / Natural Moony (Unicharm): Silky smooth fit, very gentle on delicate skin. Natural Moony uses organic cotton.
• Pampers (P&G Japan): Widely available, excellent thin profile and absorbency.
• GOO.N (Daio Paper): Cost-effective, high quality, often found in station diaper vending machines.

Tape vs. Pants Style (Crucial!)

In Japan, as soon as babies learn to roll or crawl (around 6–9 months), parents almost universally switch to pull-up diapers. Diaper packaging will say either:

• テープタイプ (Tape Type): Standard open diaper with velcro tabs on both sides. Ideal for newborns and non-walking infants.
• パンツタイプ (Pants Type): Pull-up style with stretchy elastic waistband. Essential if you are changing an active toddler while standing up.

Size Chart Guide

• Newborn (新生児, Shinseiji): Up to 5 kg (11 lbs)
• S size: 4 – 8 kg (9 – 17 lbs)
• M size: 6 – 11 kg (13 – 24 lbs)
• L size: 9 – 14 kg (20 – 31 lbs)
• Big / XL (ビッグ): 12 – 22 kg (26 – 48 lbs)

3. Baby Formula: Powder vs. Ready-to-Drink Cans

If you don't want to carry a heavy thermal flask of hot water everywhere, Japanese liquid formula in cans is a miracle product for tourists.

• Meiji Hohoemi Raku Raku Milk (明治 ほほえみ らくらくミルク): Available in 120ml and 200ml steel cans. It is ready to drink at room temperature without boiling or mixing! You can even buy snap-on plastic nipple attachments that screw directly onto the can. Widely sold at drugstores, babies stores, and some station convenience stores.
• Glico Icreo Baby Milk (アイクレオ 液体ミルク): 125ml paper carton liquid formula, ready to pour straight into your baby's bottle.
• Formula Powder Cubes (らくらくキューブ): Pre-measured solid cubes of formula powder that dissolve instantly in hot water without scooping or mess. Perfect for travelling.

4. Baby Food Pouches (Ready-to-Eat)

Japan has a huge variety of nutritious, shelf-stable baby food pouches (Wakodo, Kewpie, Pigeon) categorized clearly by age month on the box:

• 5か月頃から (From 5 months): Smooth purees (rice porridge, pumpkin, apple).
• 7か月頃から (From 7 months): Soft mashed textures with soft bits.
• 9か月頃から (From 9 months): Chewy soft stew, risotto, and minced fish/meat.
• 12か月頃から (From 12 months): Chunky toddler meals with bite-sized veggies and noodles.

Most baby rooms in shopping centres and departmental stores have free microwaves to warm these pouches in seconds.

5. Useful Japanese Phrases for the Store