Mori Ogai brought it to the battlefield
In the town of Tsuwano in Shimane prefecture about 50 kilometers east of Hagi, there is an established pharmacy of Chinese medicine founded about 200 years ago named “Takatsuya Ito Hakusekido”. The owner of the prestigious pharmacy takes over the name ”Rihei Ito” for generations, currently being the 8th generation.
Their most famous product is a digestive Chinese medicine called “Ittogan” which is handed down from the Meiji period. It is effective for overeating, overdrinking, bowel pains, and dietary indiscretion. There are loyal fans of Ittogan to this day. Mori Ogai who was an army surgeon favored it, and even brought it to the battle grounds.
This is a must have! Nakata did not hesitate to purchase Ittogan. The old-fashioned package is quite stylish. Ittogan works fast, so it should come in handy when traveling. The pharmacy itself has a retro look, and the in-store displays of rare drugstore instruments are quite amusing. A pharmacy may not be a typical tourist spot, but Takatsuya Ito Hakusekido is a great place to visit.
