What Kotaro Pharmaceutical does

Kotaro Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (小太郎漢方製薬株式会社) is a privately-held Japanese manufacturer of Kampo (traditional Chinese/Japanese herbal) medicines, health foods, and cosmetics, headquartered in Osaka. The legal entity is listed as established in 1990 with a workforce in the 251–500 range. Its commercial footprint is concentrated in Japan, with distribution centered on two proprietary affiliated pharmacy networks — the Kyoryokukai (漢方協力会, founded 1990, 60 tablet/pill formulations) and the Saji Club (匙倶楽部, founded 2005, 105 fine granule formulations) — covering an estimated 165+ member stores nationwide, plus parallel sales of visual-package self-select OTC products through drugstores and prescription Kampo through hospital and clinic pharmacies. Internet and mail-order sales are explicitly not permitted.

The company's core capability is the in-house extraction and formulation of Kampo preparations into multiple dosage forms (fine granules, tablets, capsules, liquids) for both prescription (医療用医薬品) and OTC (一般用医薬品) channels. Its portfolio spans more than 165 formulations across respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, dermatological, gynecological, neurological, ENT, urological, and fatigue indications, alongside a health-food line (Gokajin, Sanzashin, Sekiryucha, Tienchi ginseng-based products), medicated bath additives under quasi-drug regulation, and silk-derived cosmetics. Selected raw-material processing (e.g., domestic Tienchi ginseng from selection through processing) is performed in-house.

Revenue is generated through four streams: NHI-priced prescription Kampo to medical institutions, sho- (証) consultation-based OTC sales through Kyoryokukai and Saji Club member pharmacies, OTC self-select Visual Package products in mass drugstores, and health food/cosmetics routed largely through Saji Club. Retail pricing is publicly listed (unit pricing, ~115 JPY bath packets up to ~13,200 JPY 30-day fine-granule packs) while NHI prescription pricing is set by the government drug tariff. Demand generation relies on physician and pharmacist education: an annual 'Medical Students Kampo Medicine Seminar' (3-day residential program at Lake Biwa Grand Hotel, 30 students/cohort, 30,000 JPY fee), the 7th-period Kansai Systematic TCM Lecture Series, and co-hosted public lectures with the Japan Clinical Kampo Medical Association — collectively functioning as a long-cycle prescriber-loyalty engine rather than mass advertising.

Name

Kotaro Pharmaceutical

Legal name

小太郎漢方はん製薬株式会社

Website

https://kotaro.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kotaro Pharmaceutical is a Japanese Kampo (traditional herbal) medicine manufacturer in Osaka producing 165+ prescription and OTC formulations. It distributes exclusively via two consultation-based affiliated pharmacy networks — Kyoryokukai and Saji Club — alongside hospital pharmacies and drugstores, and trains future prescribers via annual medical student seminars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Kampo (Traditional Japanese/Chinese Herbal) Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912)

akta.pro primary industry

OTC Medicines & Consumer Health Products Distribution (CRAOAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges) (CRADAMAD), Sleep, Stress & Mood OTC (Sleep Aids, Melatonin OTC, Calm/Stress Relief) (CRADAMAJ), Pharmacy Front-End & Sundries Distribution (Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Convenience) (CRAOAHAG)

Keywords

• Kampo extract formulations
• Traditional Japanese medicine
• Herbal pharmaceutical manufacturing
• OTC Kampo preparations
• Health food supplements

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka-shi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Prescription Kampo Products (医療用医薬品): Physician-prescribed Kampo extract formulations for patients diagnosed with Kampo patterns (証). Sold through hospital and clinic pharmacies under prescription.
2. OTC Kampo Products (一般用医薬品): Over-the-counter Kampo products sold directly to consumers through affiliated pharmacies (協力会 and 匙荘部 networks) and drugstores (ビジュアルパッケージ商品). Distributed exclusively via in-person consultation — no internet mail-order sales.
3. Health Foods and Food Products (健康食品・食品): Health food products including 五加神 (Gokajin), 参楂神 (Sanzashin), 石流茶 (Sekiryucha), 田三七人参 (Den San Shi Qi Nin Jin), and others sold through the Saji Club pharmacy network.
4. Cosmetics and Bath Products (化粧品・入浴剤): Silk-derived cosmetics (絹のしずく series) and medicated bath products (ご湯っくり) sold through pharmacies and drugstores.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kotaro Pharmaceutical (小太郎漢方製薬株式会社) manufactures and sells a portfolio of 165+ Kampo (traditional Chinese/Japanese herbal) extract formulations in prescription (医療用医薬品) and OTC (一般用医薬品) categories, in fine granule, tablet, capsule, and liquid dosage forms, distributed exclusively through affiliated member pharmacies (漢方協力会 and 匙倶楽部), hospitals/clinics, and drugstores. The product range also includes health foods (五加神, 参楂神, 田三七人参, 石流茶), quasi-drugs such as medicated bath additives (ご湯っくり), and silk-derived cosmetics (絹のしずく soap and bath). All consumer sales flow through in-person pharmacy consultation — internet mail-order is expressly not offered.

Product overview

Kotaro Pharmaceutical is a Japanese Kampo (traditional Chinese medicine) pharmaceutical company offering a comprehensive portfolio of prescription pharmaceuticals (医療用医薬品), over-the-counter general-use medicines (一般用医薬品), health foods (健康食品), quasi-drugs (医薬部外品), and cosmetics. The product range includes extract fine granules, tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms sold through three main sub-brands: the 匙倶楽部 (Saji Club) for professional consultation-based sales of 105+ fine granule formulations, the 漢字協力会 (Kampo Kyoryokukai) for tablet-based products at member pharmacies, and ビジュアルパッケージ商品 (Visual Package) for self-select OTC products in drugstores. Recent launches include 麦門冬湯 and 猪苓湯 (April 2026), the health food 五加神 (June 2025), 清湿化痰湯 (January 2025), and the 匙俱楽部 tablet line extension for 辛夷清肺湯 (August 2024).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 漢方はん協力会: A network of pharmacies specializing in Kotaro's Kampo extract preparations, primarily tablet formulations, with approximately 60 prescriptions available
• 匙俱楽部
• ビジュアルパッケージ商品

Products and services

• Prescription Pharmaceuticals (医療用医薬品 / Medical-use Kampo) Prescription-only Kampo extract formulations prescribed by physicians and dispensed via hospital and clinic pharmacies under Japan's National Health Insurance drug pricing system. Includes 65+ preparations (e.g., 安中散, 葛根湯, 小柴胡湯, 補中益気湯, 防風通聖散) in capsule, fine granule, and tablet dosage forms.
• General-use Pharmaceuticals (一般用医薬品 / OTC Kampo) Over-the-counter Kampo formulations sold through member pharmacies (協力会, 匙倶楽部) for consultation-based dispensing and through drugstores as visual-package self-selection products. Available in fine granules, tablets, capsules, and liquid forms for indications spanning respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, and other categories.
• Gokajin (五加神) health supplement Health food supplement marketed for energy, stress management, and active-lifestyle support. Sold as 90-pack units at 6,400 JPY (excl. tax) / 6,912 JPY (incl. tax) through the Saji Club (匙倶楽部) pharmacy network.
• Sanzashin (参楂神) health food Health food supplement distributed through 匙倶楽部 (Saji Club) member stores for general wellness consumers.
• Sekiryu Cha (石流茶) herbal tea Herbal tea health food sold at 6,800 JPY (excl. tax) / 7,344 JPY (incl. tax) per 1.8g × 90-bag package through the Saji Club pharmacy network.
• Den San Shi Chi Nin Jin (田三七人参 / Tienchi ginseng) Health food made from Tienchi ginseng (田三七人参) processed in-house from raw material selection through finished product. Available as 420-grain bottle at 9,260 JPY (excl. tax) / 10,000 JPY (incl. tax) and individual 5-grain packets at 150 JPY (excl. tax) / 162 JPY (incl. tax) per packet.
• Go Tsukkuri (ご湯っくり) medicated bath product Quasi-drug medicated bath additive containing mugwort (艾葉 / yomogi) and enzymes for skin and body wellness. 500g bottle (approximately 20 uses) priced at 1,800 JPY (excl. tax) / 1,980 JPY (incl. tax); 25g single-use packets at 115 JPY (excl. tax) / 127 JPY (incl. tax).
• Kinu no Shizuku Soap (絹のしずく石鹸) Silk-derived soap containing sericin and Job's tears (ハトムギ) extract for gentle moisturizing cleansing. 80g bar at 1,000 JPY (excl. tax) / 1,100 JPY (incl. tax).
• Kinu no Shizuku Bath (絹のしずく風吕) Silk-derived bath additive with sericin and Job's tears oil marketed for moisturizing and silky skin. 500ml bottle (approximately 27 uses) at 1,800 JPY (excl. tax); production discontinued.
• Comron (コムロン) — Shakuyaku-kanzo-to extract tablets Second-class OTC pharmaceutical containing Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (芍薬甘草湯) extract for muscle cramps, spasms, and pain. 12-tablet pack (4-day supply) at 1,200 JPY (excl. tax) / 1,320 JPY (incl. tax).
• Kotaro Ginger Soup (小太郎漢方のしょうが湯) Instant ginger beverage made with domestic ingredients using traditional direct-fire cooking. 5-bag pack at 500 JPY (excl. tax) / 540 JPY (incl. tax).
• Bakumondo-to Extract Fine Granules G Kotaro (麦門冬湯エキス細粒G「コタロー」) General-use Kampo extract fine granule formulation marketed for respiratory and cough-related symptoms, distributed as OTC through member pharmacies and drugstores.
• Choreito Extract Fine Granules G Kotaro (猪苓湯エキス細粒G「コタロー」) General-use Kampo extract fine granule formulation for urological symptoms and edema, distributed as OTC through member pharmacies and drugstores.
• Seishitsuketan-to Extract Fine Granules G Kotaro (清湿化痰湯エキス細粒G「コタロー」) General-use Kampo extract fine granule formulation distributed as OTC through member pharmacies and drugstores.
• Saji Club Shinki Seihai-to Tablets (匙倶楽部商品 辛夷清肺湯 錠剤) Tablet-format Shinki Seihai-to sold exclusively through 匙倶楽部 (Saji Club) member pharmacies for consultation-based dispensing.
• Nichin-to Extract Fine Granules G Kotaro (二陳湯エキス細粒G「コタロー」) General-use Kampo extract fine granule formulation distributed as OTC through member pharmacies and drugstores.
• Reitatsu Tsuki Oyaku Ka Shin'i Fine Granules (麗沢通気湯加辛夷) Kampo fine-granule ENT formulation sold at 12,000 JPY (excl. tax) / 13,200 JPY (incl. tax) for 90 packets (30-day supply) through specialist pharmacies.
• Ryokei Jyutsukan To (苓桂朮甘湯) Extract Tablets Kampo extract tablets in multiple pack sizes: 45-tablet (5-day supply) at 1,500 JPY (excl. tax) / 1,650 JPY (incl. tax); 135-tablet (15-day supply) at 4,000 JPY (excl. tax) / 4,400 JPY (incl. tax).
• Banronkon (板藍根 / Isatis root) Extract Granules Isatis root extract granule product at 5,400 JPY (excl. tax) / 5,832 JPY (incl. tax) per 18-grain × 10-bag package, sold through Saji Club member pharmacies.
• Banronkon (板藍根 / Isatis root) Extract Powder Isatis root extract powder product at 4,300 JPY (excl. tax) / 4,644 JPY (incl. tax) per 1.5g × 90-bag package, sold through Saji Club member pharmacies.
• Hat Mugi no Shizuku 'Daily Clean' (はとむぎのしずく日々すっきり) Job's tears (hatomugi) extract health food/product at 3,000 JPY (excl. tax) / 3,240 JPY (incl. tax) per 30-bag package, distributed through Saji Club member pharmacies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 165+ Kampo extract formulations available across prescription and OTC categories
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 日本中国证监会生薬ソムリエ協会 (Japan Kampo Herbal Sommelier Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2014Kotaro Pharmaceutical is a supporting (賛助) member of the Japan Kampo Herbal Sommelier Association. The association's website was newly launched in February 2014, with Kotaro serving as a financial and organizational supporter of the professional certification and training body for Kampo herbal experts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tsumura & Co. Japan's largest manufacturer of Kampo (traditional Japanese medicine) prescription and OTC formulations, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Tsumura competes head-to-head with Kotaro in physician-prescribed Kampo extracts and shares the same core therapeutic franchise.
• Kracie Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese OTC and Kampo pharmaceutical manufacturer with a broad traditional-medicine portfolio distributed through pharmacies and drugstores. Directly comparable to Kotaro in OTC Kampo SKUs and pharmacy-led distribution approach.
• Zeria Pharmaceutical: Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer with significant OTC and traditional-medicine presence including gastrointestinal and dermatological Kampo formulations, overlapping directly with Kotaro's therapeutic categories and prescription/OTC distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Kobayashi Pharmaceutical: Large Japanese OTC pharmaceutical and household-products company with deep pharmacy and drugstore distribution. Comparable as a scaled Japanese OTC health-products incumbent, though broader in scope than Kotaro's Kampo specialty.
• Taisho Pharmaceutical: Large Japanese OTC pharmaceutical manufacturer with broad consumer-health SKUs distributed through mass-market channels. Overlaps with Kotaro in OTC distribution philosophy but operates at far greater scale across non-Kampo categories.
• Rohto Pharmaceutical: Established Japanese OTC pharmaceutical manufacturer with a strong pharmacy and drugstore presence. Comparable as a Japanese OTC health-products incumbent targeting similar consumer demographics through overlapping retail channels.
• Sato Pharmaceutical: Japanese OTC pharmaceutical company with consumer health products sold through pharmacies and drugstores. Comparable in distribution channels and Japan-domestic OTC positioning, though with a different therapeutic focus.
• Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare: OTC pharmaceutical subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo Group, distributing consumer health SKUs through Japanese pharmacies and drugstores. Comparable in pharmacy-channel OTC distribution strategy, though as part of a much larger pharmaceutical group.
• Wakamoto Pharmaceutical: Long-standing Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer with focus on gastrointestinal, dermatological and traditional-medicine products distributed through pharmacies. Comparable in Japan-domestic OTC/Kampo positioning.

Emerging players

• DHC Corporation: Japanese manufacturer focused on supplements, herbal products, and cosmetics sold through mail-order and online channels. Comparable in health food and cosmetics adjacencies to Kotaro, but operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model Kotaro has explicitly rejected.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kotaro Pharmaceutical