Hello, this is Hiroshi from Kakikofu.
Since opening our clinic in 2017 in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo, we have been grateful for the continued support of many clients. In recent years, we have also welcomed an increasing number of international visitors, as well as foreign residents living in Tokyo and Kanagawa.
Tokyo is home to many Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) / herbal medicine specialty shops, pharmacies, and acupuncture clinics. Among so many choices, we sincerely appreciate that you choose to come to us.
Thank you very much.
Kakikofu is run by my wife, Kaori, a specialist in Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) / herbal medicine, and myself, Hiroshi, specializing in Acupuncture / Moxibustion (Shinkyu)in Jiyugaoka Tokyo.
My wife was born with a heart condition and underwent major surgery in 2025. For this reason, we avoid long business hours that would place excessive strain on her body. As a result, our clinic operates with shorter hours and more days off compared to other shops.
You can read more about her condition here:
Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) and Shinkyu (acupuncture and moxibustion) were originally introduced to Japan from the Asian continent around the 5th to 6th century. However, as they were, they did not always suit the Japanese constitution. In addition, many crude herbs used in the original formulas were not easily available in Japan.
For these reasons, the prescriptions were gradually refined ̶ adjusting dosages and modifying formulations to better suit the Japanese body and environment.
Japan has predominantly soft water. If decoctions were prepared exactly according to the original Chinese formulas, the active constituents could be extracted too strongly. Therefore, dosages were reduced and adapted.
In the case of acupuncture, the needles used on the continent were relatively thick and firm, which could be painful. In Japan, thinner and more flexible needles were developed. At the same time, polishing techniques and insertion methods were refined, improving them into instruments designed to minimize discomfort. This process of careful adaptation forms an important part of the history of Japanese medicine.
As time progressed, research began on converting traditional decoctions into granulated extracts.
The level of refinement achieved in Japan became very high, and there is even a history of Japanese technology being shared with China and Korea.
At Kakikofu, we primarily offer high-quality Japanese-made Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) granules. Japan is particularly advanced in the technology of transforming decoctions into granulated form. Therefore, the quality of the granules we handle is exceptionally high.
Granulated formulas are light and easy to carry, which makes them especially popular among travelers. Some customers purchase Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) soon after arriving in Japan, travel throughout the country with it, and then buy more before returning home.
There are also those who wish to continue taking Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) after returning to their country, and so they purchase several months’ supply at once.
We can also ship products internationally from Japan. However, since medicinal products are often held at customs depending on the country, we generally recommend that customers purchase what they need while they are here and take it home with them. After that, we advise consulting a qualified specialist in their own country if they wish to continue.
Over the years, people from many different countries have come to us seeking advice for physical and emotional concerns.
After treatment, hearing about the places you enjoyed in Japan, the foods you loved, and also learning about the delicious cuisine and beautiful destinations in your own country has become one of the quiet pleasures my wife and I truly cherish.
We both love traveling. In the past, we each visited many different countries. However, due to her heart condition, it has now become difficult for us to travel abroad. In about six or seven years, she is expected to undergo a heart transplant. If her condition stabilizes afterward, we hope we may be able to travel overseas again. Until then, we are patiently focusing on our work and daily life.
That is why we are always happy to welcome visitors from around the world. It brings us great joy to hear your stories and share in your experiences.
Of course, consultation about health and physical condition is our main focus ̶ we never forget that.
For internal medical conditions and psychological concerns, we mainly provide consultation in Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine).
For pain, injuries, numbness, and musculoskeletal problems, we primarily offer Shinkyu (acupuncture and moxibustion) treatment.
Ideally, the best approach is a combination of Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) and Shinkyu (acupuncture and moxibustion). It is similar to the relationship between internal medicine and surgery ̶ having both together represents a more complete form of care.
We have received consultations from international patients for a wide range of conditions, including menstrual pain, insomnia, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, gastroenteritis, menopausal symptoms, sensitivity to cold, breast cancer, stomach cancer, dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, urticaria (hives), allergic rhinitis, chronic and acute lower back pain, fractures, sprains, Dupuytren’s contracture, Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, hypertension, heart failure, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, migraines… and many more. The list could go on almost endlessly.
Although countries and languages differ, illness is illness, and people are people. We always feel this deeply. People worry, feel anxious, and sincerely wish to improve ̶ and that is why they come to consult us.
Even during a precious journey to Japan, we hope that our patients can distance themselves from illness and pain as much as possible and truly enjoy their travels. My wife and I always keep this in mind, and we do our utmost to support each person who seeks our help.
In addition, we always provide advice on daily self-care and dietary guidance.
In Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine), great importance is placed on Yojo（養生）. Yojo literally means “nurturing life” ̶ caring for one’s life and maintaining health in a wholesome way. It applies to physical health, mental well-being, and overall balance.
If illness is present, treating it and preventing recurrence is also part of Yojo（養生）. Preventing disease before it manifests ̶ identifying and removing the early signs ̶ is equally considered Yojo（養生）.
This concept of Yojo Igaku（養生医学, the medicine of nurturing life） lies at the very heart of Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) and Oriental medicine.
To practice Yojo（養生）, one adjusts diet, sleep, breathing, physical condition, and even one’s state of awareness. In modern terms, this resembles practices such as Qigong or Yoga ̶ ancient cultivation methods that eventually merged with medical knowledge.
To touch the essence of traditional medicine, my wife and I have studied traditional Qigong for many years and continue our training to this day.
Qigong can be practiced even in a hotel room while traveling. In a place with beautiful scenery, one may feel an even deeper sense of vitality. Even on a bullet train or airplane, it is possible to regulate one’s body quietly and internally.
Granulated Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) formulas are also convenient: if you place the necessary amount in a small bag, you only need water to take them wherever you are.
Since you have made the effort to come to Japan, we truly hope you will enjoy the country to the fullest.
Although Japan is geographically small, it stretches long from north to south, and its cultural regions differ significantly. Local cuisine changes greatly depending on the area. There are also many islands, and traveling by boat allows you to experience beautiful natural landscapes.
To continue your journey with energy and joy, we encourage you first to ease any health concerns as much as possible through Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) and Shinkyu (acupuncture and moxibustion).
We simply hope to support you in staying healthy and well throughout your journey.
Yours sincerely,
Kampo(Herbal medicine) and Shinkyu(Acupuncture&Moxibustion) in Tokyo Jiyugaoka Kakikofu
Kaori&Hiroshi
