We examined refractions of 102 eyes in 51 Japanese children after the topical instillation of cycloplegics. Cyclopentolate 1% was instilled 3 times after 5-min intervals, and refractions were evaluated 45 min after the last instillation. Atropine, 0.5% or 1%, was instilled twice daily for 7 days. Refractions were measured by an autorefractometer. The mean refraction in 102 eyes measured after atropine instillation was +3.07 dpt, and the mean after cyclopentolate instillation was +2.35 dpt. The mean difference in the direction of meridians of maximal refractions measured after atropine and cyclopentolate was 22°. Our findings showed that atropine instillation may be adequate to determine exact refractions in Japanese children.