Prurigo pigmentosa is rather frequently observed in Japan. By contrast, this skin disease has so far rarely been reported in German speaking countries or elsewhere in Europe. In order to make the European dermatologists familiar with this peculiar skin disease, the epidemiological features as well as the clinical and histopathological findings are reviewed. The disease can be discriminated from prurigo simplex subacuta by the typical reticular hyperpigmentation, by the sparing of arms and legs and by the response to treatment with dapsone or minocycline. Additional differential diagnostic possibilities include lichen amyloidosus and confluent and reticulate papillomatosis of Gougerot-Carteaud. Diabetes or malnutrition may represent etiological factors. Because this unusual skin disease may also occur in Europe, dermatologists here should include prurigo pigmentosa in the differential diagnosis of acquired pigmentary disorders.