Payke Editors’ Picks: 10 Must-Buy Items for Your Spring/Summer 2026 Trip to Japan
Use them during your stay—and keep benefiting from them after you return home.
Here are practical souvenirs worth picking up for your spring and summer trip to Japan!
Spring and summer are some of the most popular seasons to visit Japan, making it easy to fully enjoy sightseeing.
At the same time, big temperature differences between day and night, strong UV rays, and heavily air-conditioned indoor spaces can put unexpected stress on your skin and body while traveling.
To make your trip more comfortable, it helps to have care items you can start using right away during your stay—and continue using after you’re back home.
This time, the Payke editorial team focused on items that are easy to find at drugstores, lightweight to carry, and highly practical. From self-care during your trip to thoughtful souvenirs, here are our must-buy picks for Spring/Summer 2026, organized by purpose and common travel concerns.
Type ①: UV Protection Is a Must for Spring & Summer Travel in Japan!
Skin Aqua Hyaluronic Serum UV
Last year, this serum-like sunscreen gained attention for its “doesn’t feel like sunscreen” texture. It combines UV protection and skincare in one bottle, making it a convenient all-in-one solution. For 2026, it has been renewed with an alcohol-free and powder-free formula, making it less likely to transfer onto clothes or bags. It’s also fragrance-free and designed to be gentle on the eyes after application—another thoughtful detail for daily use while traveling.
With SPF50+ / PA++++ protection, it contains three types of hyaluronic acid to help keep skin hydrated.The texture feels smooth and milky—more like a lightweight emulsion than a typical sunscreen—making it ideal for those who dislike the tight or heavy feeling often associated with sun protection products. Formulated without ethanol, it’s gentle enough for use on the face and makes a reliable companion for UV protection during spring and summer travel in Japan.
Recommended Points
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Lightweight, serum-like texture
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High UV protection with SPF50+ / PA++++
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Alcohol-free and fragrance-free, suitable for the face
Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence (White)
This face-and-body sunscreen is perfect for anyone who wants UV protection while subtly brightening their complexion. With SPF50+ / PA++++ high-level UV coverage, its soft white tint—without an overly pearly finish—creates a naturally brighter look. It blends easily with different skin tones, making it ideal for those who prefer a subtle, natural tone-up effect.
Formulated with skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, it can also be used as a makeup base. The texture is light and non-sticky, adhering smoothly to the skin. Its sweat- and water-resistant formula makes it a dependable choice for UV protection during spring and summer travel in Japan. The gentle savon fragrance also makes it an easy pick as a souvenir.
Recommended Points
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Soft white tint for a natural tone-up effect
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Strong UV protection with SPF50+ / PA++++
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Non-sticky texture, suitable as a makeup base
Type ②: Intensive Care for Hair Affected by UV Rays and Humidity
Gyutto Corset Hair Mask
Product Details
An intensive hair mask designed for spring and summer hair that’s easily damaged by UV exposure, humidity, and dryness. After its release, it quickly gained attention and even sold out temporarily, becoming one of the season’s most talked-about hair care items.
※Image for illustration purposes. Provided by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Using its proprietary Core Corset Technology, it helps correct damage from within—targeting frizz and unwanted volume caused by weakened hair structure. Formulated with 13 serum-like beauty ingredients, it deeply hydrates hair from the inside out.
After washing your hair, apply the mask and use a hair dryer to activate its benefits with heat. The refreshing green tea and yuzu scent makes it perfect for a little special care during your trip.
Recommended Points
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Targets the root causes of frizz and volume from within
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Noticeable improvement in manageability in a short time
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Ideal for hair care during your Japan trip or as a practical souvenir
Type ③: Support Your Condition from Within During Your Trip
THE LYPO Vitamin C Deep Capsules
One ingredient that has recently gained attention in Japan is “liposomal vitamin C,” a beauty supplement known for staying longer in the body and offering better absorption compared to regular vitamin C. Because of this, it’s often referred to as an “enhanced” form of vitamin C.
Each THE LYPO capsule contains two types of particles—yellow and white. The yellow particles contain highly absorbable liposomal vitamin C, while the white particles include fast-acting vitamin C and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. For those looking to support overall wellness and maintain a clear, radiant appearance, taking two capsules per day is recommended. It’s gaining popularity both as inner care during a Japan trip and as a practical souvenir choice.
Recommended Points
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Formulated with trending liposomal vitamin C in Japan
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Two types of particles for efficient vitamin C intake
- Easy inner care routine with just two capsules per day
Rohto V5 Tablets – Sleep Care (Food with Functional Claims)
From Rohto Pharmaceutical, one of Japan’s well-known eye care brands, comes an inner care supplement designed to support both eye health and sleep quality. In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin—formulated to help protect the eyes from blue light and UV damage—it has been newly updated with crocetin, an ingredient that supports deeper, higher-quality sleep.
By helping the optic nerves and eye-area muscles properly rest during sleep, it supports eye health and a refreshed feeling the next morning. With a recommended intake of just one tablet per day, it’s easy to maintain. The convenient pouch packaging also makes it simple to carry during your trip, whether for personal wellness or as a practical souvenir.
Recommended Points
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Supports both eye health and sleep quality
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Easy to continue with one tablet per day
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Travel-friendly pouch packaging
Type ④: Eye Care for Eyes Tired from Sightseeing and Travel
Rohto me+me Moisture Tear Serum (Class 3 OTC Medicine)
me+me is an innovative eye drop developed for those who prioritize deep eye hydration. With a rich, essence-like texture, it gently coats the surface of the eye, helping to prevent tear evaporation while maintaining lasting moisture.
It contains the maximum concentration of the corneal repair ingredient sodium chondroitin sulfate, along with mineral components that are also found in natural tears. It can be used not only with bare eyes, but also while wearing soft or colored contact lenses.
Designed for easy application from any angle and featuring a subtle hidden heart detail on the bottle, it balances functionality with thoughtful design. Combining Japanese performance and aesthetics, it’s also gaining attention as a unique souvenir option.
Recommended Points
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Refresh level: 2/5 ★★☆☆☆
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Suitable for bare eyes and all contact lenses
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Rich, serum-like hydration
Lycée / Lycée Contact
Lycée is a popular eye care series in Japan for those who want gentle relief from eye discomfort. With its stylish, cute packaging and affordable price point, it has long been a trusted staple item.
Combining both charm and practicality, it’s also an easy choice as a souvenir from your trip to Japan.
Lycée (Class 2 OTC Medicine)
The version for bare eyes helps relieve redness and eye fatigue. It’s also suitable when you’re concerned about UV damage or itchiness, making it perfect for refreshing your eyes after a long day of sightseeing.
Refresh level: 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Suitable for bare eyes and while wearing hard contact lenses
Lycée Contact (Class 3 OTC Medicine)
Designed for contact lens users, this version helps moisturize dry eyes and is compatible with colored contact lenses. It can also be used as a lens wetting solution, making it especially useful for preventing dryness during travel.
Refresh level: 1/5 ★☆☆☆☆
Suitable for bare eyes and all contact lenses
Recommended Points
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Choose between bare-eye or contact lens versions
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Addresses concerns such as redness and dryness
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Cute design makes it a great souvenir option
V Rohto Premium (Class 2 OTC Medicine)
A high-performance eye drop designed for modern lifestyles, especially for those who spend long hours on smartphones and computers. Formulated with 12 active ingredients, it helps relieve eye strain while addressing damage caused by blue light and other external stressors. It’s ideal for situations where your eyes work overtime—whether during work, study, or long journeys.
With so many eye drops available in Japanese drugstores, this is a trusted staple for those who want one product that covers a wide range of concerns. It’s a practical choice for eye care during your trip to Japan and also makes a functionality-focused souvenir.
Recommended Points
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Refresh level: 4/5 ★★★★☆
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Suitable for bare eyes and while wearing hard contact lenses
- High-performance formula with 12 active ingredients
Type ⑤: Spot-Treat Skin Troubles Early During Your Trip
Mentholatum MediQuick Pro Cream a (Class 2 OTC Medicine)
A topical cream recommended for those who want to quickly relieve the intense itchiness and redness caused by eczema. Formulated with nine active ingredients, it not only suppresses itching but also works from multiple angles—helping to disinfect, calm inflammation, and relieve pain caused by scratched or irritated skin.
Its formula is designed to be effective even for recurring or stubborn eczema that can be slow to heal. Upon application, it provides a cooling sensation that gently eases discomfort from itching and irritation. A practical and reassuring item to have on hand during your spring and summer trip to Japan.
Recommended Points
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Multi-angle eczema care with nine active ingredients
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Targets itchiness, redness, inflammation, and pain
- Cooling sensation helps relieve discomfort quickly after application
Mentholatum Acnes 25 Medical Cream Exa (Class 2 OTC Medicine)
Acne can be caused by more than just excess sebum or clogged pores—irregular eating habits and stress can also play a role. When breakouts strike, this medicated acne treatment cream is designed to target problem areas directly with precise spot care.
Its formula focuses on high concentration, deep penetration, and fast-acting results. While calming inflammation in newly formed acne, its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients help prevent further worsening. It also includes ingredients that support skin repair and take post-acne marks into consideration.
Free from steroids, fragrance, and artificial coloring, it has a lightweight, non-sticky texture that’s easy to use. It turns transparent after application, making it convenient even before applying makeup.
Recommended Points
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Targets acne inflammation and acne-causing bacteria directly
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Lightweight texture that won’t interfere with makeup
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Formulated with post-acne care in mind
Add Your Favorites to Your “Wishlist”
If you find an item that catches your eye, add it to the “Wishlist” in the My Page section of the Payke app to create your own personalized list of products.
Simply click the “Product Details” button in the column to view more information about each item. Once you’re on the product page, tap the ribbon icon at the bottom right to easily add it to your Wishlist.
It’s a convenient feature for reviewing items later or narrowing down your souvenir choices—so be sure to make the most of it.
Turn “So Glad I Bought This” into a Travel Memory
Spring and summer trips to Japan are perfect for sightseeing—but they can also bring added stress to your body and skin due to strong UV rays, temperature differences, and heavy air conditioning. The items introduced here are all practical choices you can start using right away during your stay—and continue benefiting from after you return home.
They’re ideal not only as personal care essentials for your trip, but also for anyone looking for souvenirs that feel uniquely Japanese and genuinely useful. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, be sure to check them out.