Japanese Condom Brands: A Savvy Guide

There are plenty of options when it comes to Japanese condoms, but which are the best brands?

For most couples not looking to start a family, condoms are the easiest form of contraception to find in Japan. In fact, most of the time, you just need to look at the nightstand of your love hotel suite and there will be a Japanese condom sitting there waiting for you.

But like with any significant purchase, you’re bound to have some questions when you’re perusing the aisles in search of the right condom. To make it easier to find the right brand for you and your partner, all of the condoms on this list have been chosen by Japanese-Western mixed couples and reviewed by both men and women for their fit, feel and durability. Being fit for women means how easy it is for them to put on their man.

Size-Wise, They’re Basically The Same

© Photo by iStock: royend

Throw away any preconceptions you may have when it comes to Asian men and size right now, please. There have been scores of studies over the years into penis size which have revealed that the average man is about the same size everywhere in the world.

Generally speaking, the average Japanese condom fits up to 52-54 millimeters in girth (the average Western condom, 53-55 millimeters). In other words, unless your partner is exceptional in one direction or the other, any man, Japanese or otherwise, can use any of the condoms on this list.

Where To Shop For Japanese Condoms

© Photo by iStock: tupungato

Every drug store in Japan has a condom section, although their selection will greatly differ, as will the location of the store. Some put them within the first aid aisle, while others with “men’s goods.” You can also find condoms at a variety of stores like Don Quijote and in sex goods and pleasure toy stores (like those around major love hotel areas). You can also find condom vending machines outside some pharmacies, too.

Japanese Condom Prices

Packs with one to three condoms in them cost around ¥300~¥500, while boxes of five to 10 cost about ¥500~¥1300 a piece. Larger-size condoms or bigger packs of standard condoms cost anywhere from ¥1100~¥1800 in stores.

What Are The Main Japanese Condom Brands?

According to data from Rakuten, Amazon Japan and Lohaco, the top Japanese condom brands are Sagami, Okamoto, Jex and Fuji Latex.

Sagami

Sagami Rubber Industries, founded in 1934, was the first condom manufacturer in Japan and the first to develop and sell a polyurethane condom.

Okamoto

Okamoto Industries was also founded in 1934 and has the most comprehensive condom range in Japan. Okamoto is also debuting the world’s first condoms coated with a special microbicide that has been shown in medical studies to inactivate up to 99.9 percent of HIV, HSV and HPV.

Jex

The brand Jex might not immediately stand out, though its main brand, Glamourous Butterfly condoms, with their pretty pink boxes, is eye-catching enough. Founded in 1960, Jex prides itself on its lubrication, which includes external-only and double-sided lubricated silicon condoms in its collection.

Fuji Latex

Fuji Latex, founded in 1949, provides condoms, latex and non-latex probe covers for medical devices and other products.

Real-life Reviews of Japanese Condom Brands

Based on the condoms purchased most from the aforementioned retail sites, Japanese men and Western women chose and reviewed the following condoms.

1. Sagami 0.01

This is the world’s thinnest condom—it is technically 0.018 mm at its thickest but still offers complete protection and coverage.

He says: “It was way too tight and too easy to put on the wrong way. You could get your girl pregnant if you’re not careful. For guys that need help lasting, maybe it’s good enough, but if you’re bigger or want more comfort, maybe a different brand is better.”

Fit: ★★☆☆☆
Feel: ★★☆☆☆
Durability: ★★★☆☆

She says: “You definitely want to use some extra lubricant with these. They’re oily from the lube, but it doesn’t feel like it lasts. I know they’re really thin and that makes them feel great, but it also felt like it was going to break before we added some lube.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★★★★
Durability: ★★★★☆

2. Jex Glamourous Butterfly Moist Type

These condoms are coated with a mild, non-warming lubricant on the outside.

He says: “Just average all around, but somehow they felt really cheap quality-wise. If you use condoms for oral, don’t use this brand. They really smell like latex, and the lubricant was sticky in a bad way.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★★☆☆
Durability: ★★★☆☆

She says: “It was kind of hard to put on properly, like finding the right way up, which wasn’t as intuitive as with other brands. When he went to take it off, the condom ripped around the rim, so I don’t know if I’d use this brand again.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★☆☆☆
Durability: ★★★★☆

3. Okamoto Rilakkuma Honey Condoms

© Photo by Okamoto

Each condom in this box has a different illustration on it, and the condoms themselves have a “gentle, warming lubricant” on them.

He says: “They don’t seem different to regular condoms, but somehow they felt much better. I felt more sensitive than I usually do using them.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★★★☆
Durability: ★★★☆☆

She says: “Highly recommended! It was really slippery at first, and I tried to roll up a couple of times, but when we got started and it warmed up, it was magical. I can’t stress enough how much I recommend these.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★★★★
Durability: ★★★★★

4. Okamoto 0.02 Standard

© Photo by Okamoto

The basic standard when it comes to Japanese condoms—these are commonly found in mid-price range love hotels.

He says: “Very similar to Sagami, but you can sense temperature through them better, so it feels more natural. They don’t stretch as easily, so be careful putting them on.”

Fit: ★★☆☆☆
Feel: ★★☆☆☆
Durability: ★★★☆☆

She says: “I’m a regular Sagami user, and these felt pretty much the same, but I think I might switch to these because the lubricant was better quality and washed away more easily afterward.”

Fit: ★★★★☆
Feel: ★★★★☆
Durability: ★★★★☆

5. Okamoto Mega Big Boy

© Photo by Okamoto

The largest of the Japanese condom sizes available in most stores, these condoms are also on the pricier end of the scale but come with 12 in a box.

He says: “Easy to put on, they’re a little on the thick side, but it feels good. The box (with the elephant) is a good way of breaking the ice if your partner is worried about size.”

Fit: ★★★★★
Feel: ★★★★☆
Durability: ★★★★☆

She says: “It was really easy to put on, and when it slid down, it stayed down, which was nice. Overall, it was good. What really stood out was that when we were done, it was just as easy to take off. No fuss, no problems.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★★★☆
Durability: ★★★★★

6. Fuji Latex SKYN Premium

SKYN Premium condoms are marketed as the closest to human skin in terms of feeling.

He says: “Standard condom feel overall. The lubrication on it wasn’t too oily, but it might not be enough for everyone.”

Fit: ★★★☆☆
Feel: ★★★☆☆
Durability: ★★★☆☆

She says: “It really looked like a cartoon drawing of a condom, like, we both laughed about it at first. It was thick, but it felt less like there was a barrier between us and more like just him. Until it started squeaking during… It didn’t kill the mood, but if I had to use it again, I’d probably invest in some good quality lotion first.”

Fit: ★★★★☆
Feel: ★★☆☆☆
Durability: ★★★★★

Final Thoughts?

“Out of all the categories, I think the fit is the one partners should discuss most together. It’s going to change how things feel for both of them.” (Japanese man, 30s)

“Durability is key for me because I can’t use the pill for health reasons, so knowing I can relax and enjoy having sex with the right condom is important. I’d definitely use SKYN again strictly for that reason.” (Canadian woman, 30s)

“The thin ones are good, but if you tend to go more than a few rounds in a night, the price really adds up. Not only that, but they’re more drying [depending on the material used], so it might end up hurting your girlfriend at the end of the night.” (Japanese man, 30s)

There you have it!

Consider this your cheat sheet when it comes to buying condoms in Japan. Be safe and have fun!

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