Roihi Tsubokou: Warm vs Cool, Sizes, Prices & Use
Tokyo Mate
Roihi Tsubokou, the Japanese round pain-relief patch, comes from Nichiban and splits into warm and cool types, plus two sizes: 156-count (2.8 cm) and 78-count large (3.9 cm). You can buy it at Don Quijote, drugstores, and pharmacies, and the price varies by store. Before buying, check the warm/cool type and the size first.
In this post I've put together the patch types, the difference between the 156-count and 78-count sizes, what to check when buying at Don Quijote, drugstores, or pharmacies, and how to use it along with precautions.
About Roihi Tsubokou Patches
Roihi Tsubokou is a stick-on patch, one of Nichiban's Roihi series. It's a small round patch about 2.8 cm in diameter, and in Korea it's better known as the "coin patch" because of that shape.
The brand dates back to 1932. Carrying on the long-standing Roihi name and its retro packaging, the current Roihi Tsubokou was released in 1989. Its round shape lets you stick it pinpoint on a sore spot, and it's used for stiff shoulders, back pain, bruises, sprains, joint pain, muscle pain, muscle fatigue, frostbite, and more.
More than just a travel shopping item, it's a product that carries Japan's long patch culture and a retro brand feel.
Roihi Tsubokou Types, Sizes & Prices
Roihi Tsubokou splits into two types (warm and cool) and two sizes, standard and large.
The standard size is about 2.8 cm across, good for splitting across narrow spots like the wrist or shoulder.
The large size is about 3.9 cm across, roughly double the area, so it suits wider areas like the lower back or back.
Official prices are before tax, and the actual selling price at Don Quijote, drugstores, and the like can differ.
| Product | Official price (before tax) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Roihi Tsubokou 156-count ⭐Standard | ¥1,320 | Class 3 OTC medicine Warm · 2.8 cm diameter |
| Roihi Tsubokou 78-count (Large) | ¥1,320 | Class 3 OTC medicine Warm · 3.9 cm diameter |
| Roihi Tsubokou Cool 156-count | ¥1,320 | Class 3 OTC medicine Cool · 2.8 cm diameter |
| Roihi Tsubokou Cool 78-count (Large) | ¥1,320 | Class 3 OTC medicine Cool · 3.9 cm diameter |
Other Roihi Series Products
The Loxoprofen patch is an odorless square patch with a 24-hour lasting effect.
Cream Fervie is a cream type with three steel balls that you roll on like a massage over the sore area.
| Product | Official price (before tax) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Roihi-gou Loxoprofen | ¥980 | Class 2 OTC medicine Square stick-on type Warm, 7 cm × 10 cm |
| Roihi-gou Loxoprofen (Large) | ¥1,580 | Class 2 OTC medicine Square stick-on type Warm, 10 cm × 14 cm |
| Roihi Cream Fervie | ¥2,450 | Class 2 OTC medicine Roll-on cream type Warm, 80 g |
How to Use Roihi Tsubokou
With Roihi Tsubokou, you just peel off the film and stick it on the spot you want.
① Bend the film slightly to lift the edge of the patch.
② Hold the lifted part and peel it off the film.
③ Stick it on the spot where you feel pain or stiffness.
Before applying, wipe off any sweat or moisture. If it's left on, the patch may not stick well or your skin may get irritated.
If your skin is sensitive, don't apply several at once from the start. Put one on a small area first and check that there's no reaction. Applying it repeatedly on the same spot can bother your skin, so if you use it several days in a row, it's better to shift the position a little from the day before.
⚠️ Precautions
- Skin reactions: If you notice a rash, redness, itching, swelling, stinging, or blisters after use, remove it right away and stop using it.
- If symptoms persist: If your symptoms last a long time or are severe, don't just rely on the patch. Consult a doctor or pharmacist.
- Remove before bathing: Bathing with it on can make that area sting. Take it off 30 minutes to an hour before your bath.
- Careful with heat sources: Using it together with heat-producing items like hot packs or electric blankets can make the stimulation stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are the Japanese coin patch and Roihi Tsubokou the same product?
The product Koreans typically call the "Japanese coin patch" is Roihi Tsubokou. Its actual product name is Roihi Tsubokou, and the maker is Nichiban.
Q. What's the difference between the 156-count and 78-count?
The 156-count is the standard size, about 2.8 cm across, and the 78-count is the large size, about 3.9 cm across. The large one has fewer patches but each patch is bigger.
Q. What is Roihi Tsubokou Cool?
Roihi Tsubokou Cool is a cool-type patch with a refreshing feel. Where the standard version is the warm type, Cool contains pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory ingredients like l-menthol for a cooling sensation.
Q. Should I pick warm or cool?
There's no difference in effect or ingredients. Just pick whichever feels better to you when applied.
Q. Can I buy Roihi Tsubokou at Don Quijote?
You can find it at Don Quijote and at Japanese drugstores and pharmacies. That said, since Roihi Tsubokou is a Class 3 OTC medicine, some stores shelve it in the medicine or patch corner. Stock and prices vary by store, so compare nearby drugstores.
With Roihi Tsubokou, the feel and the area you apply it to change depending on warm vs. cool and the 156-count vs. 78-count size. Check the type and size before buying, and pick the product that fits where you'll apply it.
It's just a small patch, but it makes a practical gift that brings back memories of a trip to Japan.
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