A quick guide on Japanese brands condoms

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 two or three of them sitting there waiting for you.

But like with any important 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. Fit for women meaning how easy they were to put on their man.

Size-wise, they’re basically the same

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.

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

Okamoto Industries was also founded in 1934 and has the widest condom range in Japan. Okamoto is also debuting Japanese themed condoms in collaboration with Condomania, as well as 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.

The brand Jex might not immediately stand out, though their main brand Glamourous Butterfly condoms with their pretty pink boxes are 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.

Finally, Fuji Latex was founded in 1949 and provides not only condoms but also latex and non-latex probe covers for medical devices, among other products.

Real-life reviews of Japanese condom brands 

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

1. Sagami 0.01 

This is the world’s thinnest condom—it is technically 0.018 mm at its thickest, but still offers full 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 ones. 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 kind of 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 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 

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. HIGHLY recommended. It was really slippery at first and 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 

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 like 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 

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: ★★★★★