Living in Japan for so long, I recently dug up another great Japanese drugstore find at the pharmacy, and as soon as I finished it, I decided: this bottle must be introduced to everyone and added to the "Japan Drugstore Must-Buy Pocket List"!
People with white hair understand best—the biggest pain point of white hair has never been that it won't dye, but that new white hair sprouts again soon after dyeing. Repeated touch-ups also raise concerns about the irritancy of chemical dyes; Xiao Ka has had premature graying since youth. Others might touch up once a month, but I often notice new white hair at the roots just a week after dyeing. Plus, having tried many over-the-counter white hair dye products in Japan, the irritation they cause to the scalp—especially that prickly, tight, uncomfortable feeling—is my top concern when choosing white hair dye products.
This time I finally found a bottle perfect for someone like me who needs long-term white hair touch-ups yet worries about scalp irritation—「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」. Its plant-based coloring and hair care approach particularly appeals to me. It avoids diamine-based oxidative dyes and instead uses plant-derived pigments and other coloring ingredients that gradually coat the hair surface layer. It is gentle and non-irritating, offering a relatively mild option for those with sensitive skin who need frequent touch-ups and are concerned about scalp irritation, while still meeting my needs.
If you also have premature graying, white hair that grows back especially fast at the roots, or have reached the stage of needing regular white hair touch-ups, next time you visit Japan and browse drugstores, be sure to add the word 「Rishiri」 to your shopping list!
● Who really needs Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream
● Brand introduction
● Traditional permanent hair dye VS plant-based Rishiri
● Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream｜Product introduction
● Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream｜How to use
● Where to buy Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream? Do your homework before visiting Japanese drugstores｜Tax-free isn't enough; you may get extra discounts when reaching the designated amount!
● Actual visits to four Japanese drugstores
For those who need repeated white hair touch-ups over the long term and the resulting irritation and burden from repeated exposure to hair dyes, 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 was created to address this need for repeated white hair touch-ups.
「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 is not a recent internet-famous product; it has been a bestseller in Japan for many years. It comes from a reputable professional cosmetics manufacturer, developed specifically for white hair coloring and care. Since its launch in 2009, the series has sold over 37 million bottles cumulatively and has repeatedly ranked first in Japan's national market share for white hair dye and hair care products. No wonder each bottle boldly claims 「Japan's No.1 Sales」 on the packaging. Long-time visitors to Japan know that Japanese products are replaced quickly. In such a competitive Japanese hair dye market, being continuously purchased by white-haired customers for over a decade and accumulating tens of millions of bottles in sales shows its true strength!
The difference between 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 and traditional oxidative hair dyes is: it uses a plant-based coloring concept, allowing plant-derived pigment ingredients to slowly adhere to the hair surface layer to achieve the desired color, rather than the chemical method of traditional dyes that open the cuticle to implant melanin. For those concerned about scalp irritation, hair damage burden, or those who need frequent white hair touch-ups—especially mature users—it offers an additional relatively gentle and accessible daily option.
Traditional hair dyes usually require alkaline ingredients and oxidation to swell the hair, open the cuticle, then further change the hair's original pigment to form a new hair color. Therefore, the process typically involves mixing two dyes, and users often smell a strong, pungent dye odor. Because it needs to enter the hair shaft for chemical reaction, more frequent use or stronger application may cause scalp irritation or make hair prone to dryness, loss of shine, and elasticity. These reasons are exactly why I noticed the very different plant-based Rishiri coloring concept.
For me, with easily sensitive skin, I am very concerned about the prickly, uncomfortable scalp sensation during dyeing (individual experiences vary). This natural 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 belongs to the Color Treatment approach. Instead of forcibly changing the hair internally, it allows plant-derived pigments and other coloring ingredients to gradually adhere and coat the entire hair surface layer—like layering natural color onto white hair—while incorporating nourishing and moisturizing ingredients such as Rishiri kelp to combine 「color touch-up + hair care」 in one step. It dyes beautifully while caring for hair quality.
Another thing I like is that you don't have to finish the whole bottle at once. Apply only where white hair appears according to your needs, and save the rest for next time. For someone like me whose roots turn white quickly, this "use as much as needed" method is truly much more convenient than opening a new box of dye every time.
In short, traditional dyeing "changes color" inside the hair shaft; plant-based coloring "nourishes and layers color" on the hair surface, resulting in more beautiful and natural hair color.
Starting with the brand, 「Natural Club Sastty」 is a brand under Japan's Pyuru company, and 「Rishiri Hair Color」 is its highly popular and representative white hair care series.
The bottle I have is Black (ブラック／Black) 200g. Unlike regular permanent hair dyes, it uses the Color Treatment concept. While touching up white hair, it also adds moisturizing and nourishing ingredients such as Rishiri kelp, offering those who need continuous white hair touch-ups another option that combines hair care.
Currently available in four shades:
Black／Dark Brown／Natural Brown／Light Brown Capacity: 200g｜Made in Japan
Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream emphasizes using plant-derived pigments and other coloring ingredients to gradually coat the hair surface layer. It does not dye color in all at once, so it allows more sufficient dwell time, and the coloring effect on white hair will be more complete.
● First use: If white hair is quite noticeable or you want more complete color adhesion, apply directly on dry hair, leave on for about 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water until no colored water remains, and finally shampoo and condition normally.
● After shampooing: Towel-dry hair, apply evenly, leave on for about 10 minutes, then rinse.
*Xiao Ka's enhanced coloring method: Because my newly grown roots are really white! The official website states that plant-based pigment coloring naturally requires some time. Rishiri does not rely on traditional oxidative dyeing for quick color change but lets pigments slowly coat the hair. So if you want white hair to absorb color better, it is recommended to extend the dwell time to about 1–2 hours for more complete color (plant-based dyes are relatively gentle and less damaging to the scalp, making them a very good choice for those with silver hair as well).
In my personal experience, after applying, wearing a plastic wrap and extending the dwell time to about 1–2 hours allows the plant-based pigments to slowly adhere and color. Giving it a little more time lets the color adhere more fully to white hair and look more beautiful.
When shopping at Japanese drugstores, Taiwanese travelers already know tax-free is nothing new, but many don't realize that some nationwide chain drugstores offer additional discounts for foreign travelers beyond tax-free when spending reaches a certain amount!
Like us who often buy a lot at once, we always pay special attention to promotional information provided in-store or on the official website before checkout. Some stores place QR codes near the register; depending on current promotions and spending thresholds, scanning can get you discount offers. Sometimes staff will proactively remind you, but not every store or every staff member will mention it. So when buying a lot, don't rush to checkout just because you see "tax-free"; check first if there are any "spend-and-save" promotions that day (check the official website for details).
Another thing to note: Japan's domestic membership point system cannot be used together with the tax-free option for foreign travelers (details are explained on the official website).
▍Matsumoto Kiyoshi matsukiyo LAB (Kamata Station East Exit Store) / Location: 5-15-8 Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Hey! Isn't this sign also Matsumoto Kiyoshi? Everyone usually knows 「Matsumoto Kiyoshi」, but this store's sign says matsukiyo LAB. No need to doubt—it's still part of the Matsumoto Kiyoshi system, but LAB stores emphasize health, beauty, and professional services more.
The store's product categories are very clear. Shampoo, conditioner, and hair dye products are concentrated in the same area. To find 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」, head straight to the Hair Care／Hair Dye section right after entering.
Besides the familiar drugstore items, makeup, skincare, and daily necessities, some LAB stores also provide more complete health-related services. At the store I visited, the upper right corner of the sign directly says 「処方せん受付」, meaning they accept prescription dispensing.
The store is more pleasant to browse than expected—wide aisles and clear product categorization. Just follow the sections to find what you need. Also, if your Japanese isn't fluent, don't worry—as long as you have a picture of the product, politely ask the staff and they will be happy to help. Some stores even have Chinese-speaking staff!
Arriving at matsukiyo LAB's white hair care section, I finally saw the Rishiri series displayed together! This 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 has three shades available: Natural Brown, Dark Brown, and Black. Currently only Dark Brown is in stock (the other two shades next to it are sold out). Price is 3,000 yen before tax (3,300 yen including tax). Nearby you can also see the same brand's coloring shampoo and other series products—offering different options from touch-up to daily white hair care.
Picking up a bottle, it feels very substantial.
▍SUNDRUG (サンドラッグ) Granduo (Kamata Store) / Location: 5-13-1 Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Granduo Kamata East Building 1F (directly connected to JR Kamata Station)
This Cocokara Fine is near Kamata Station. The store isn't particularly large, but inside the shelves are packed full with daily drugstore items, makeup, and hair products, giving it the classic feel of a Japanese neighborhood drugstore.
Walking into SUNDRUG's hair dye section is truly dazzling! The entire wall has everything from trendy hair color dyes to white hair-specific dyes. General hair dyes on the shelf start from around 200+ TWD. However, a reminder for those with white hair (I have plenty of buying experience): when buying hair dye products, don't just look at the color—remember to check if the packaging says 「for white hair」!
General fashion dyes are mainly designed to change the original hair color. From my experience, they can't cover white hair ideally—that's the honest truth. Although the 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 I introduce this time is priced relatively higher, it is specifically designed for white hair coloring and daily care, and can be used in portions, so its positioning is fundamentally different.
The hair dye section is easy to find, with an entire row packed with various hair dye products. But this time my target was clear—directly look for the familiar 「Rishiri kelp」 green packaging! Entering the hair dye section, the green packaging is instantly recognizable. The design style of Rishiri Coloring Hair Treatment Cream also fits the natural image of the Rishiri kelp line.
Left: Dark Brown (ダークブラウン), Right: Black (ブラック)
The classic Dark Brown & Black—choose these two shades if you want natural white hair coverage.
▍Cocokara fine Kamata station / Location: 5-39-3 Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo (near Kamata Mae Station)
This Cocokara Fine is near Kamata Station. The store isn't particularly large, but inside the shelves are packed full with daily drugstore items, makeup, and hair products, giving it the classic feel of a Japanese neighborhood drugstore.
The hair dye section is easy to find, with an entire row packed with various hair dye products. But this time my target was clear—directly look for the familiar 「Rishiri kelp」 green packaging.
As a result, this store had the 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 I was looking for (second from left, black shade), plus the same series' coloring shampoo and carbonated foam coloring shampoo. This also proves that even for the same brand, actual stocked items can differ between different drugstores and branches. So if you're targeting a specific item and don't see it here, don't worry—there are other drugstores nearby to continue searching.
In Japan, physical drugstores have an advantage that online shopping can't replace: products are right in front of you to see and compare directly, without being affected by online images, color differences, or information presentation. Drugstores are like convenience stores—visible everywhere—and truly have their value.
▍CocoKara Fine (Kamata East Exit Store) / Location: 5-18-1 Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Seijo Kamata Building
I had just visited the Cocokara Fine near Kamata Mae Station, and before walking much farther, I encountered another Cocokara Fine at Kamata East Exit. When browsing drugstores in Kamata, you really don't have to settle on just one store—around Kamata Station alone you can find three Cocokara Fine branches. It truly penetrates into local people's living circles!
At this Cocokara Fine, the 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」 I was looking for was not on the shelf.
① People whose white hair grows fast: Before the next full dye, roots, part lines, or hairline already show white—need regular spot touch-ups.
② People concerned about traditional dyeing methods: Looking for something different from general oxidative dyes while incorporating a hair care concept.
③ People who don't want to visit a salon every time for a small amount of white hair: Can handle new white hair at home regularly, and only go to professionals when needing overall color adjustment.
This time, for 「Rishiri White Hair Coloring Hair Treatment Cream」, I actually visited several Japanese drugstores and confirmed it's not just something seen online—it's genuinely available in the white hair care sections of Japanese drugstores. From Matsumoto Kiyoshi, SUNDRUG to Cocokara Fine, you can find Rishiri-related series.
It is a coloring hair treatment product specifically designed for white hair coloring and care needs. It not only touches up color but also adds nourishing ingredients such as Rishiri kelp. For those whose white hair frequently appears at roots or part lines, this 「color touch-up + hair care」 concept is truly worth knowing.
If you visit Japan next time and also have white hair concerns, remember the two words 「Rishiri」 in advance. Head straight to the white hair dye / Hair Care section in drugstores for the fastest find. Stock varies between branches, so check nearby stores too. Before checkout, don't forget to confirm not only tax-free but also whether there are any spend-and-save discounts or traveler promotions that day.