Kowa & Shohei Ohtani

Exactly 100 years before Shohei Ohtani was born, in the year 1894, the textile wholesaler Hattori Kanezaburo Shoten opened its doors in the city of Nagoya, and by the mid-20th century the company had grown and evolved into Kowa – one of Japan’s major pharmaceutical manufacturers. Over the years, Kowa has developed a selection of everyday healthcare basics and over-the-counter medications, including a lineup of products made to tackle the fatigue and muscle aches of an active lifestyle. So it only made sense for Kowa and the Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani to join forces and develop a series of products together: drinks recommended for pre-workout and post-workout routines, designed to support athletes or anyone who likes to stay active.

Whether you’re planning a Japanese drugstore shopping trip to keep you feeling your best during your trip to Japan, or you’re shopping for souvenirs for everybody back home (including yourself), we’ve put together a short list of Kowa product recommendations – from Ohtani’s own product line to everyday aids!

SYNCRON KOWA: Shohei Ohtani’s Workout Drink Lineup

The SYNCRON KOWA line was developed in collaboration between Shohei Ohtani and Kowa, using the athlete’s ideas to create a brand-new product. From ingredients like arginine and citrulline, to the flavors of each drink, Ohtani’s input can be found throughout the SYNCRON KOWA lineup.

The SYNCRON KOWA line is designed to help support pro athletes striving to achieve great things, students trying their best to win the big game, office workers trying to squeeze in a good workout at the gym, and those in between. We think they’d be great for long days exploring Japan on foot, too, offering travelers an energy boost and a little extra hydration to help make the most of a busy trip to Japan. Plus, we have no doubt that Shohei Ohtani fans back home would be excited to try the athlete’s own line of products (each of the bottles features his picture, of course). Check out the full lineup to see which to get for yourself, and which to bring home for your Ohtani-loving friends.

SYNCRON KOWA Active Mode: Pre-Workout Power Recommendations

SYNCRON KOWA Active Mode is formulated to support you before or during your workout, to help you give it your all during practice (or go all out and crush the opposing team) with three tasty flavors: Berry, Grapefruit, and Watermelon. The drink is hydrating, of course, but it’s also packed with amino acids that keep the body running smoothly! The 1,500mg of both arginine and citrulline found in each bottle support athletic performance from the start.

SYNCRON KOWA Active Mode also helps you stay active and sustain your energy with 1,000mg of the three branched-chain amino acids: valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Whether you’re aiming for a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, or you just want a little help keeping energy levels up while you walk thousands of steps every day in Japan, SYNCRON KOWA Active Mode is worth a try.

SYNCRON KOWA Active Mode Granule Packs

Great for when you want all the energy of the original SYNCRON KOWA Active Mode drinks, but don’t feel like carrying around an extra bottle! One serving of these Active Mode Granules only weighs about 5% as much as the 100ml bottle – Kowa recommends 1~2 a day when needed. Tuck one or two of the little grapefruit-flavored powder packets in a pocket before heading out for practice or starting a run, and toss it back when you need a boost of energy! You can swallow the powder and chase it down with a swig from your water bottle in just seconds, keeping you in the game instead of on the sidelines. (You do want to be careful not to breathe in the powder by accident, though, so you don’t choke yourself!)

The compact size and negligible weight make these SYNCRON KOWA packets super convenient for travel, too. Japan’s summer weather can be brutal, but even on the coldest days of the year, sightseeing in Japan usually means a lot of walking, which can become pretty draining. Throw a couple of packets in your bag, and when your enthusiasm starts to flag, you’ve got just the thing to keep you going all day long – don’t miss out on any of that packed travel itinerary.

SYNCRON KOWA Cool Mode: Post-Workout Recovery Recommendations

Have you been giving your body what it needs during your post-workout cooldowns? If you play sports, run, or go to the gym regularly, you’ve probably realized that getting proper hydration and nutrition should be priority number one after exerting yourself. So when you’ve broken a sweat and your body is craving water and electrolytes, SYNCRON KOWA Cool Mode is a solid choice, helping you stay hydrated and feel refreshed!

To help with post-workout conditioning, SYNCRON KOWA Cool Mode not only helps you stay hydrated, but it also offers an array of electrolytes and vitamins that are often lost to sweat. In particular, you’ll find vitamins B₁, B₂, and B₆, which are vital for energy production. The drink also has a refreshing lemony flavor, thanks in part to the 4,000mg of citric acid in each bottle. When you’ve climbed that towering mountain, finished the big race, or just worked up a sweat at the gym, this cooldown drink is just the thing to keep your body feeling great.

▶︎ Take a peek behind the scenes to see Ohtani promoting his new drinks!

Everyday Japanese Drugstore Picks for Your Trip to Japan

Japanese drugstores are a great place to shop for affordable cosmetics and over-the-counter medications that tackle the minor health issues we face on a daily basis. Pick up these drugstore recommendations from Kowa and you can test them out during your travels, so you know exactly what to pack in your suitcase before your flight home!

Q&P KOWA i PLUS : Relief For Tired Eyes and Stiff Shoulders

After a long trip to Japan, your body can start to feel the strain, and we all dread the stiff shoulders and tired eyes that arrive once you get back to your regular work schedule and hours of staring at a screen. Q&P KOWA i PLUS is a non-prescription medication available at Japanese drugstores, containing seven active ingredients designed to relieve eyestrain and stiff shoulders. Cyanocobalamin, gamma oryzanol, and tocopherol calcium succinate support your muscles and nerves, while hepronicate and oxoamidine help to improve circulation. Magnesium and potassium L-aspartate, as well as benfotiamine (vitamin B₁/thiamin), tackle eye strain. Together, these ingredients help to relieve your tired eyes as well as those stiff back muscles!

Dosage:
Adults (15 years+): Take 2-3 tablets once a day. (Can be taken any time of day, regardless of meal times.)
*Not suitable for those under 15.
Product Details (en)

THE GUARD KOWA INTESTINAL REGULATION TABLETS α³+ : Regulation For Your Gut, From Bloating and Constipation to Loose Stool

Nothing puts a damper on a fun trip like stomach problems! If you’re stuck with issues like bloating, constipation, or indigestion when all you want is to enjoy Japan’s fresh sushi and mouth-watering wagyu beef, then you might want to try “THE GUARD KOWA INTESTINAL REGULATION TABLETS α3+” for daily gut care. These tablets help you maintain a healthy microbiome and regulate your digestive system by combining lactobacillus and bifidobacteria from yogurt with the beneficial bacteria from Japan’s famous fermented soybeans (natto), delivering it all to your intestines in one easy swallow. If you feel like your digestive system could use a boost, these probiotic tablets are a convenient over-the-counter solution available all over Japan.

Dosage: Take three times a day.
Adults (15 years+): 3 tablets per dose
Ages 8-14: 2 tablets per dose
Ages 5-7: 1 tablet per dose
*Not suitable for those under 5.
Product Details (en)

Your Japanese Drugstore Shopping List: Souvenirs, Japanese Wellness Solutions, & Handy Travel Items

Whether you’re strolling the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, chasing gains at the gym, or simply looking to bring home some unique Japanese souvenirs for Ohtani fans, the shelves of Japan’s drugstores are a goldmine of wellness essentials. Shohei Ohtani’s SYNCRON KOWA lineup offers a glimpse into the workout regimen of one of Japan’s most iconic athletes, offering products to help you stay energized and balanced, while our other Kowa picks are great for everyday eyestrain and gut health. Try these Kowa favorites during your trip, and we think you’ll be bringing home extras to stay stocked until your next trip to Japan.

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