Is Salvia divinorum legal in Japan?
- Legal status
- Controlled. NAMED: Salvia divinorum (the plant) and salvinorin A are Designated Substances (指定薬物) under the Pharmaceutical Affairs / PMD Act, designated in 2007 in the first cohort of the designated-substance system. Mechanism: NAMED (plant + active salvinorin A).
- Consequences if caught
- Manufacture, import, sale and possession of salvia for consumption are prohibited under the designated-substance regime and prosecuted; salvia products were withdrawn from head-shop sale after the 2007 designation.
- If prescribed or medical
- Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A are designated substances with no medical use and no lawful prescription route.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route; salvia leaf/extract is seized on import as a designated substance.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Japan’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →